Available sites
14 total sites
RV Sites
About Packsaddle
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
14 Sites Available
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Site Details
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14 Sites Available
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Reviews (99)
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
Lewis C
VerifiedJuly 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
My wife and I have been camping in this area for 30 years, primarily at Salmon Creek Campground. This trip (6 nights) was our first time at Packsaddle.
Overall we were pleased with the campground. Fewer sites made it feel more remote with less traffic nearby on the road to the Buttes parking lot. The campsites are quite rocky and not really comfortably level for tents or rv, but that is a minor drawback. I would consider using Packsaddle again because of the quietness of the site compared to the busy-ness of Salmon Creek due to the nuisance and speedy traffic of people constantly driving through at unreasonable speeds and the noise of Gold Lake Highway.
jeff s
VerifiedJune 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
High marks for the overall campground. Low marks for the restroom maintenence and camper oversight. Restroom out of toilet paper for 3 of our 5 days. Everyone typically brings but why not maintain? Large dogs from 2 campsites running loose 2 days of our stay. Had to clean up dog poop from our site when we returned from hiking.
jeff s
VerifiedJune 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: PACKSADDLE
High marks for the overall campground. Low marks for the restroom maintenence and camper oversight. Restroom out of toilet paper for 3 of our 5 days. Everyone typically brings but why not maintain? Large dogs from 2 campsites running loose 2 days of our stay. Had to clean up dog poop from our site when we returned from hiking.
Rian S
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Beautiful pristine Sierra forests surround this campsite. It's a wonder to behold. The foot trails are are full of stunning surprises. We can't wait to get back.
Rian S
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Beautiful pristine Sierra forests surround this campsite. It's a wonder to behold. The foot trails are are full of stunning surprises. We can't wait to get back.
Joe P
VerifiedOctober 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Joe P
VerifiedOctober 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: PACKSADDLE
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
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...
Location & Directions for Packsaddle
Yuba River Ranger Station, Nevada City, CA 95959 United States
Elevation: 1,864 ft
Getting There
<p>From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 mi. 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 fo...
From Sierra City, travel north (east) on Highway 49 for 5 mi. 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 mi and turn left into the campground.
From Sierraville, travel south (west) on Highway 49 for about 17 mi. 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 mi and turn left into the campground.
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: October 21, 2026
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Population: 3,172
Elevation: 2,513 ft
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