About Packsaddle
Number of accommodations: 14
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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14 Sites Available
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Reviews (92)
What Guests Are Saying
Packsaddle offers beautiful surroundings near Packer Lake and the Sierra Buttes, with spacious sites that provide ample shade and access to great outdoor activities, particularly the popular Downieville trails for biking and moto riding. However, some sites are uneven, and there are issues with broken amenities like the bear box and inadequate restroom facilities. Despite these drawbacks, many visitors enjoy their experiences and plan to return, appreciating the campground's charm and location.
What Guests Are Saying
Packsaddle offers beautiful surroundings near Packer Lake and the Sierra Buttes, with spacious sites that provide ample shade and access to great outdoor activities, particularly the popular Downieville trails for biking and moto riding. However, some sites are uneven, and there are issues with broken amenities like the bear box and inadequate restroom facilities. Despite these drawbacks, many visitors enjoy their experiences and plan to return, appreciating the campground's charm and location.
Review Summary
Mary J
VerifiedOctober 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
First time at Packsaddle Campsite for a weekend hunting trip in mid October. Shared the site (and forest) with lots of mountain bikers. Enjoyed our campsite (#06). Secluded with several flat areas for our four one-man tents. Only complication was I reserved the campsite online several weeks earlier and couldn't recall if I paid using the credit card - printout didn't indicate and payment. Paid the daily cash fee while there, then later at home found out I paid online as well. Turned out to be an expensive stay at Packsaddle. Had a great time regardless!
Mary J
VerifiedOctober 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
First time at Packsaddle Campsite for a weekend hunting trip in mid October. Shared the site (and forest) with lots of mountain bikers. Enjoyed our campsite (#06). Secluded with several flat areas for our four one-man tents. Only complication was I reserved the campsite online several weeks earlier and couldn't recall if I paid using the credit card - printout didn't indicate and payment. Paid the daily cash fee while there, then later at home found out I paid online as well. Turned out to be an expensive stay at Packsaddle. Had a great time regardless!
Humberto H
VerifiedOctober 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE
It’s a nice place for every a every year trip
Humberto H
VerifiedOctober 17, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: PACKSADDLE
It’s a nice place for every a every year trip
Katy T
VerifiedOctober 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
The campsites are very small and not level and some are very close to the neighbor. Easy access to lake and trails.
Katy T
VerifiedOctober 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
The campsites are very small and not level and some are very close to the neighbor. Easy access to lake and trails.
Jane S
VerifiedJuly 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Enjoyed my 4th Annual Camping Trip at Packsaddle!!
Jane S
VerifiedJuly 30, 2021 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Enjoyed my 4th Annual Camping Trip at Packsaddle!!
Bryan H
VerifiedJuly 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Overall a very nice camp. Bathrooms were well maintained with TP for the entire week I was there. They remained clean and did not smell any worse than you average pit toilet. Mosquitos at camp were very mild and while we did have some hungry meat bees around meal time they were manageable. I've had much worse. Camp has a large parking area for nearby hikes. Creates a lot of open space near camps 1-4. Camps 1-4 appeared to have the most flat space for tents and were well shaded but other spots looked shaded too. Some of the camps in the other loop seem to have limited flat tent pads but did have some interesting layouts. There was a large group up in that loop that was apparently up until 2am few nights but could not be heard from our spots. Nearby Packer Lake has some plant growth in it that makes it not the best swimming lake. But.. you can drive to all nearby lakes pretty quickly from this location. It was nice and quite at night and pleasant in the mornings. Stayed in tent until 8:30 comfortably. I'd go back for sure.
Bryan H
VerifiedJuly 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Overall a very nice camp. Bathrooms were well maintained with TP for the entire week I was there. They remained clean and did not smell any worse than you average pit toilet. Mosquitos at camp were very mild and while we did have some hungry meat bees around meal time they were manageable. I've had much worse. Camp has a large parking area for nearby hikes. Creates a lot of open space near camps 1-4. Camps 1-4 appeared to have the most flat space for tents and were well shaded but other spots looked shaded too. Some of the camps in the other loop seem to have limited flat tent pads but did have some interesting layouts. There was a large group up in that loop that was apparently up until 2am few nights but could not be heard from our spots. Nearby Packer Lake has some plant growth in it that makes it not the best swimming lake. But.. you can drive to all nearby lakes pretty quickly from this location. It was nice and quite at night and pleasant in the mornings. Stayed in tent until 8:30 comfortably. I'd go back for sure.
Location Packsaddle
Address:
Yuba River Ranger Station
Nevada City, CA, 95959
United States
From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 miles. Turn left at Bassett Station on Gold Lake Highway and continue just over a mile to Packer Lake Road and turn left. Go less than a mile and turn right on Packer Lake Road. Continue for about 2.5 miles and turn left into the campground.
From Sierraville, travel south (west) on Highway 49 for about 17 miles. Turn left at Bassett Station on Gold Lake Highway and continue just over a mile to Packer Lake Road and turn left. Go less than a mile and turn right on Packer Lake Road. Continue for about 2.5 miles and turn left into the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 39.6247 / -120.65
Elevation: 1864 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- A $5 fee applies for additional vehicles in campsites under specific conditions.
Wildlife & food storage
- To prevent bear encounters, store all food in approved containers.
Utilities
- No utility hookups or showers are provided.
General
- Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
Fires & fuel
- Fire restrictions may be enforced due to weather; contact for current conditions.
- Purchase firewood locally and burn it on-site to protect forests.
Cancellation policy
- No-shows incur fees; contact if late to avoid charges.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
