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
14 Sites Available
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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
Hilda R
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE
We were in campsite 1, First Come First served because we wanted to stay three days and could only reserve one day on the other site. It was a big site and nice even though it was next to the road, however you need to clean up the site. There was tons of down trees and dead wood which meant there was tons of yellow jackets! We couldn't eat at all, we literally would walk around when eating in the morning so the yellow jackets wouldn't get to us. At night we had to wait until it was completely dark to eat. So please pick up all the dead wood and trees lying around, it attracts the yellow jackets. Thank you.
Hilda R
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE
We were in campsite 1, First Come First served because we wanted to stay three days and could only reserve one day on the other site. It was a big site and nice even though it was next to the road, however you need to clean up the site. There was tons of down trees and dead wood which meant there was tons of yellow jackets! We couldn't eat at all, we literally would walk around when eating in the morning so the yellow jackets wouldn't get to us. At night we had to wait until it was completely dark to eat. So please pick up all the dead wood and trees lying around, it attracts the yellow jackets. Thank you.
Jane S
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE
This was my 4th annual trip to Packsaddle. Be prepared to see a lot more people this year...
Jane S
VerifiedAugust 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: PACKSADDLE
This was my 4th annual trip to Packsaddle. Be prepared to see a lot more people this year...
Patrick B
VerifiedAugust 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Big size sites, most well shaded. Nice having the horses there. However, NO host on site. That meant no firewood or regularly cleaned toilets. Indeed, one was so bad smelling it was locked, and then re-opened the day after we arrived. There are only two vaults for the entire campground. One day there was no toilet paper in one of them. The PCT runs along the rear of the campground, so you'll see a number of them during summer. Packer Lake is just a few stones throw up the road.
Patrick B
VerifiedAugust 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Big size sites, most well shaded. Nice having the horses there. However, NO host on site. That meant no firewood or regularly cleaned toilets. Indeed, one was so bad smelling it was locked, and then re-opened the day after we arrived. There are only two vaults for the entire campground. One day there was no toilet paper in one of them. The PCT runs along the rear of the campground, so you'll see a number of them during summer. Packer Lake is just a few stones throw up the road.
Christie D
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: PACKSADDLE
It would have been helpful for the website to describe the unique nature of Site 16 - as it is basically located in the circle parking lot - not your typical campsite at all.
Christie D
VerifiedAugust 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: PACKSADDLE
It would have been helpful for the website to describe the unique nature of Site 16 - as it is basically located in the circle parking lot - not your typical campsite at all.
Kamala M
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Packsaddle is a dream! Right on the PCT so start hiking! Love the water well. Lovely warm mornings and delightful breezes always. Very spacious camp sites. Easy stroll to Packer Lake for great fishing. Quick drive to the Sierra Buttes Lookout trailhead. Lots of flies due to the horse corral sadly (wish they were better about cleaning the manure!) and the pit toilets are hit or miss..
Kamala M
VerifiedAugust 2, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Packsaddle is a dream! Right on the PCT so start hiking! Love the water well. Lovely warm mornings and delightful breezes always. Very spacious camp sites. Easy stroll to Packer Lake for great fishing. Quick drive to the Sierra Buttes Lookout trailhead. Lots of flies due to the horse corral sadly (wish they were better about cleaning the manure!) and the pit toilets are hit or miss..
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
