Warning
GeneralATTN: The Annual Pit River Tribal Gathering will occur from July 15th to July 21st; during this timeframe all sites in the Medicine and Hogue Loops will be closed to the public, of the remaining loops in the Medicine Lake Recreation Area, few can accommodate large RVs.
About Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 16
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Rates, Sites & Availability
16 Sites Available
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Site Details
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16 Sites Available
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Reviews (94)
What Guests Are Saying
Medicine Lake Recreation Area is a cherished destination known for its clean, beautiful lake and friendly atmosphere, making it ideal for family reunions and camping. The spacious, well-maintained campgrounds offer excellent fishing, hiking, and stargazing opportunities, providing a perfect escape into nature. While remote and lacking some amenities, the peaceful environment and friendly fellow campers enhance the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Medicine Lake Recreation Area is a cherished destination known for its clean, beautiful lake and friendly atmosphere, making it ideal for family reunions and camping. The spacious, well-maintained campgrounds offer excellent fishing, hiking, and stargazing opportunities, providing a perfect escape into nature. While remote and lacking some amenities, the peaceful environment and friendly fellow campers enhance the overall experience.
Review Summary
Loran B
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground
Fortunately I was able to reserve a site. For most people in our party that was not the case. Walk-in spaces were few and far between. There was no campground host and so we had to rely on Forests Service personnel to come in sporadically to check things out.
But the campground was very clean, the site I was in was close to the lake (just across the campground road) with no other camp sites impeding access to the lake, even though the camp was full there was no problem with noise from other campers.
This was definitely dry camping. What faucets there were, were few and far between.
It is a very family oriented and family friendly campground. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
Ed C
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Medicine Campground
Ranger staff was very helpful and present.
there was confusion on the "reserved" spots as some spots did not have reserved signs and some had the wrong dates. We had to get the Ranger to help sort it out between a couple of different campsites.
We love Medicine Lake though ! Thanks
Christine B
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground
The area is gorgeous. Not one bad thing can be said about the natural beauty. Unfortunately the 2 sites we reserved months in advance had been given away by the time we got there, which was at check in.
Apparently the annual pow wow was extended without warning and as a result several campsite reservations were cancelled. Our reservation was *not one of them*, but the local campground management decided to give away our reserved sites to disgruntled campers who's reservation was cancelled.
We had specifically avoided the week of the pow wow so this was incredibly disappointing. Thankfully we did manage to find one available campsite for our large party, but the stress was completely unnecessary and left us very unsatisfied.
Brendyn E
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Medicine Campground
First time coming, one if the most beautiful areas I have ever had the pleasure to camp at. We're definitely making this an annual trip.
Loran B
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground
Fortunately I was able to reserve a site. For most people in our party that was not the case. Walk-in spaces were few and far between. There was no campground host and so we had to rely on Forests Service personnel to come in sporadically to check things out.
But the campground was very clean, the site I was in was close to the lake (just across the campground road) with no other camp sites impeding access to the lake, even though the camp was full there was no problem with noise from other campers.
This was definitely dry camping. What faucets there were, were few and far between.
It is a very family oriented and family friendly campground. Overall, a very pleasant experience.
Ed C
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: Medicine Campground
Ranger staff was very helpful and present.
there was confusion on the "reserved" spots as some spots did not have reserved signs and some had the wrong dates. We had to get the Ranger to help sort it out between a couple of different campsites.
We love Medicine Lake though ! Thanks
Christine B
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: A.H. Hogue Campground
The area is gorgeous. Not one bad thing can be said about the natural beauty. Unfortunately the 2 sites we reserved months in advance had been given away by the time we got there, which was at check in.
Apparently the annual pow wow was extended without warning and as a result several campsite reservations were cancelled. Our reservation was *not one of them*, but the local campground management decided to give away our reserved sites to disgruntled campers who's reservation was cancelled.
We had specifically avoided the week of the pow wow so this was incredibly disappointing. Thankfully we did manage to find one available campsite for our large party, but the stress was completely unnecessary and left us very unsatisfied.
Brendyn E
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Medicine Campground
First time coming, one if the most beautiful areas I have ever had the pleasure to camp at. We're definitely making this an annual trip.
Amir B
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Medicine Campground
The on site employee had marked our reserved spot as available and we had to share it with another family. It seems the system was down and we did not get a refund for that night.
Amir B
VerifiedJanuary 9, 2020 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: Medicine Campground
The on site employee had marked our reserved spot as available and we had to share it with another family. It seems the system was down and we did not get a refund for that night.
Location Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Address:
Modoc National Forest
Tulelake, CA, 96134
United States
From McCloud go east on US Hwy 89 south for 16 miles to Forest Service Road 15/Harris Spring Rd. Turn left on Road 15 and go 4.4 miles to Forest Service Road 49/Medicine Lake Road. Follow the signs 27.5 miles to Medicine Lake. From Tulelake take US Hwy 139 south for 21 miles to Forest Service Road 97. Turn right on Road 97 and go 24 miles turning right on Road 49. Drive 2 more miles turning left into the entrance of Medicine Lake Recreation Area. Follow the signs to your final campground destination.
Medicine Lake Recreation Area is accessible via US Highway 89 to the east and US Highway 139 to the south, both within close proximity.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.5858 / -121.586
Elevation: 2065 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.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralATTN: The Annual Pit River Tribal Gathering will occur from July 15th to July 21st; during this timeframe all sites in the Medicine and Hogue Loops will be closed to the public, of the remaining loops in the Medicine Lake Recreation Area, few can accommodate large RVs.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 3, 2026
