MEDICINE LAKE RECREATION AREA
MEDICINE LAKE RECREATION AREA
MEDICINE LAKE RECREATION AREA
MEDICINE LAKE RECREATION AREA
MEDICINE LAKE RECREATION AREA

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

16 total sites

About Medicine Lake Recreation Area

The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6.8 ft.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
Water Access

Water Access

  • Boat Ramp / Launch
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

16 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 012, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 014, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 015, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 019, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 020, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 024, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 026, Loop: Medicine Campground RV
Pet Friendly · 25 ft long · Gravel
🚐 035, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 037, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 038, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 039, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 040, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 042, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 052, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 055, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 056, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews (110)

What Guests Are Saying

Medicine Lake Recreation Area is praised for its spacious campsites, friendly campers, and clean facilities, making it a popular destination for families and fishing enthusiasts. Many visitors enjoyed the beautiful lake, hiking opportunities, and vibrant camping atmosphere, despite some noise from water sports and nearby logging activities. Some campers noted challenges with road conditions and sloped sites, but overall, the experience was enjoyable and many plan to return.

Review Summary

4.3
110 reviews
5
64.5%
71
4
17.3%
19
3
2.7%
3
2
10.0%
11
1
5.5%
6

Steve M

Verified

August 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 056, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground

5

Medicine Lake continues to be a favorite destination for us.
The removal of infected trees definitely takes a lot to get used to.
Hoping a beetle resistant tree is planted soon.
The bathrooms were clean and well maintained.

Pamela R

Verified

August 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Medicine Campground

5

Happy with our stay. Clean bathrooms. Camp was orderly. Can't wait for next trip.

Julieanne C

Verified

August 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: Medicine Campground

5

Really lovely campsites. We thought this one was great, as we were shielded somewhat from strong winds that were at the lake while we were there.

Camila Q

Verified

July 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: Medicine Campground

5

The campsite was a good size and there were multiple very clean bathrooms spread throughout the campsite. Water spouts were also spread throughout. Very peaceful and well maintained.

Janice G

Verified

July 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground

3

This is the best lake to fish in California.
But the trees were cut in the Medicine Lake area of California by the U.S. Forest Service to combat widespread tree mortality caused by mountain pine beetle infestations, prolonged drought, and winter windstorms. Crews targeted dead and vulnerable lodgepole pines to reduce wildfire fuels and improve public safety.
So not much shade in sites, and sites are very roomy.
It does allow waterskiing from 10am to 5pm so it can get choppy.
Restroom at clean & running water close by.
Road from hwy 89 is paved all the way to the lake with a few potholes.. takes 1hr to reach lake from turnoff.

Ketan K

Verified

July 10, 2026 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground

5

Clean site and very clean restroom. The neighbours were super nice too.

Paulette V

Verified

December 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground

5

I grew up at Medicine Lake. This is the place close to my heart. My entire family has a reunion there every year. Water is clean and cold. Lots of hiking and always running into old friends.

Paulette V

Verified

December 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 040, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground

5

I grew up at Medicine Lake. This is the place close to my heart. My entire family has a reunion there every year. Water is clean and cold. Lots of hiking and always running into old friends.

Cindy F

Verified

November 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Medicine Campground

5

Campground is open and sites are large.
Fishing is good and watching the Osprey hunt for fish was a treat.
The campground is very remote and the fellow campers were very friendly. We came in a 25’ motor home but there were 40’ rigs there also. It is located about an hour away from any services so don’t forget anything.

Cindy F

Verified

November 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Medicine Campground

5

Campground is open and sites are large.
Fishing is good and watching the Osprey hunt for fish was a treat.
The campground is very remote and the fellow campers were very friendly. We came in a 25’ motor home but there were 40’ rigs there also. It is located about an hour away from any services so don’t forget anything.

Location & Directions for Medicine Lake Recreation Area

Modoc National Forest, Tulelake, CA 96134 United States

Elevation: 2,065 ft

Getting There

From McCloud go east on US Hwy 89 south for 16 mi to Forest Service Road 15/Harris Spring Rd. Turn left on Road 15 and go 4.4 mi to Forest Service Road 49/Medicine Lake Road. Follow the signs 27.5 mi to Medicine Lake. From Tulelake take US Hwy 13...

Nearest town

Tulelake, CA - 50 mi

About over 1 hr (62 min) to downtown

Highway access

Medicine Lake Recreation Area is accessible via US Highway 89 to the east and US Highway 139 to the south, both within close proximity.

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Tulelake, CA

Population: 925

Nearby larger city

Redding, CA

Approx. 81 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 4,039 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service