Tag Archives: Bucks Lake

Rock Creek Quincy

Rock Creek Camp @ Plumas NF

Rock Creek Meadow Camps
Rock Creek Meadow Camps
dirt road access
Road# 24N28 Plumas NF

Rock Creek Campground

on creek with small meadow in the forest; access via dirt road in between Bucks Lake and Quincy, California

rockcreek3

NFS Plumas National Forest

NFSlogo

Slate Creek Road
Plumas Forest Road #24N28

camp

Rock Creek Campground NFS

Elevation: 4300′
Number of Sites: 6
Vehicle Accessibility: dirt road access
Campsites Reservation: No
First-come, first-served.
Length of Stay: 14 Days
Season: May – September
Trailheads: PCT (apprx 3 miles)
Middle Fork of the Feather River
Meadow, Forest, Wildlife.
dirt roads, creek, with peace and quiet (mid-week)
pinetree
Meadow Camp
Meadow Camps
dirtbikes
NOTE: OHV off roaders, quads, dirt bike use is somewhat common around here. The main dirt road cuts right through the middle of this campground, so passing traffic noise is possible. Choose the meadow side of camp, and get back off the road a bit – for more seclusion and a better night sleep.
The small creek-side meadow is also the proper stargazing area. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and watch for wet soggy spots. Don’t drive on the meadow! Keep campfire low when watching for meteors.
stars

LOCALS TIP: If this small campground is full or not quite far enough, then keep on driving, deeper into the woods – to reach NFS Deanes Valley Campground

meadow
meadow at camp

Camp Lassen

Lassen Campgrounds

Mill Creek w/ Lassen Peak
Mill Creek w/ Lassen Peaks (July 2011)

Feather River Camping, Lake Almanor Campgrounds, Hat Creek, River Fishing NorCal, Topo Maps, California Campground  Reservations, Lassen National Forest camp sites and all the outdoor recreation you can imagine.

Volcanic lands of Lassen National Park are surrounded by Lassen National Forest, which means if you cannot find camping inside the National Park – you can surely find it in the outlying regions – with rivers . The National Park Lassen Hwy 89 is often closed during winter months due to snow, as Diamond Peak & Reading Peak are around 8000′ elevation. In 2011 the south entrance did not open until late summer due to heavy snows.

Lassen Camping

A few Lassen campground sites may be reservable, more info with links below; the rest of the campgrounds in the green lists are on a first come, first serve basis.

  • BUTTE LAKE CAMPING
  • JUNIPER LAKE GROUP CAMP
  • MANZANITA LAKE CAMPRGOUND
  • SUMMIT LAKE CAMPGROUND
  • GURNSEY CREEK – CLOSED 2022
  • HAT CREEK CAMPGROUND
  • HOLE IN THE GROUNDCLOSED 2022

Lassen National Park Campgrounds NPS

Camp Lassen / Lassen Lakes

campground elevation spots veg toilet water info
Lake Fork Campground 6792′ 18 pines vault piped June-Oct
Southwest Walk-In 6700′ 21 pines flush piped CLOSED
Warner Valley 5650′ several pines vault piped CLOSED

Lassen National Forest Campgrounds NFS

HOLE IN THE GROUND CAMPGROUND – Mill Creek, CA
CLOSED due to DixieFire

Eagle Lake District

campground elev. spots veg toilet water notes
Bogard Campground 5600′ 22 aspen, pines vault pump May-Oct
Butte Creek Campground 5600′ 20 oak, pines vault creek CLOSED
Crater Lake Campground 6800′ 17 mixed conifer vault pump dirt road, June-Oct
Goumaz Campground 5200′ 5 ponderosa vault creek dirt road
Roxie Peconom Campground 4800′ 10 ponderosa flush pump dirt road

Roxie Peconom

Hat Creek District

campground elev. spots veg toilet water notes
Big Pine Campground 4500′ 19 pines vault pump April-Oct
Bridge Campground 4000′ 25 pines vault piped April-Oct, fish
Honn Campground 3400′ 6 pines vault no CLOSED
Rocky Campground 4000′ 8 pines vault creek CLOSED
Honn Campground
Hat Creek @ Honn Campground

Lake Almanor District

campground elev. spots veg toilet water notes
Alder Creek Campground 3900′ 6 pines vault creek CLOSED
Benner Creek Campground 5562′ 9 pines vault creek May-Nov
Black Rock Campground 2100′ 6 pines vault creek year round, fish
Butte Meadows Campground 4600′ 13 pines vault piped June-Nov
Domingo Springs Campground 5060′ 18 pines vault piped CLOSED
Echo Lake Campground 6440′ disp pines lake CLOSED
Elam Campground 4400′ 15 pines vault piped CLOSED
High Bridge Campground 5200′ 12 pines vault piped CLOSED
Rocky Knoll Campground 6000′ 18 pines vault piped CLOSED
Silver Bowl Campground 6000′ 18 pines vault piped CLOSED
Soldier Meadows 4890′ 15 pines vault creek CLOSED
South Antelope Campground 2700′ 4 pines vault creek CLOSED
Warner Creek Campground 5040′ 13 pines vault creek CLOSED
West Branch Campground 5000′ 15 pines vault piped May-Nov
Willow Springs Campground 5100′ 14 pines vault creek May-Nov, fall hunters
Willow Lake Campground disp pines lake CLOSED

A few PG&E Campgrounds can be found near Lake Alamanor, which are managed by the utility company and not listed on National Forest or National Park web sites.

MOST ALL CAMPGROUNDS CLOSED, due to Dixie Fire damages

LAKE ALMANOR – PG&E Campgrounds
Southshore @ Canyondam, CA

LAST CHANCE CREEK – PG&E Camp, North of Lake Almanor

BUTT VALLEY Reservoir – PG&E Campgrounds
West of Lake Almanor, CA

Juniper Lake Table
Juniper Lake – Lassen NPS

Lassen National Park

Lassen National Forest

Northern California Topographic Maps

Lassen Area Maps & Books –

Lassen Towns –

Snake Lake California

Snake Lake Campground

Snake Lake Campground, Plumas NF

campDon’t let the name frighten you, Snake Lake is a very scenic fishing lake – but you will NOT want to swim in it. Lily pads cover the water surface most of the year so it is considered “frog heaven” during the warmer months. NFS has been upgrading these camping facilities recently. Snake Lake Campground has new picnic tables, camp fire rings, bear boxes, vault toilet and expanded equestrian camps and corrals. No piped water, so bring your own. A bucket & shovel are always required for proper campfire maintenance.

morninglakeview

One of the best campgrounds in the region, Plumas National Forest and close to Quincy, CA. Paved road access means an easy 3 miles off the main road (Bucks Lake Road, aka Oroville-Quincy Highway, Oro Quincy Hwy). 7 miles west of the town of Quincy, the green, metal, one-lane bridge is easy to spot, but the small sign for “Snake Lake 3” is easy to miss, if driving 50 mph or faster. Turn off is located in between Quincy and Meadow Valley.

New Signs

Horse Camping

Equestrian camp sites, horse corrals, OHV trails, group picnic areas. Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, off roading, horseback trails, kayaking or canoe.

horseback

Snake Lake Campground NFS

• Elevation: 4200′
• Number of Sites: 17
• Vehicle Accessibility: small RV
• Campsites Reservation: No
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May – October
• Trailheads: OHV, Horse & Winter Rec

This lake camp serves as a central hub for travelers, motorcyclists, campers, hikers, fishermen, off roaders and equestrians alike. Mountain biking & OHV trails go off in numerous directions and horseback trails are readily accessible. Winter Recreation Area means snowmobile trails too.

Another smaller lake, Smith Lake, is a short drive or short hike (on dirt road) further into the woods, with the Butterfly Valley Botanical Area neighboring it.

fish

another Snake Lake?

Another SNAKE LAKE exist inside Plumas National Forest. The smaller Snake lake can be accessed by off-road trail Road#12E66, off the Gold Lake Highway; 4×4 is required to reach this one. West of Gold Lake in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. The PCT is routed nearby one mile away.

middayblue

Silver Lake @ Bucks

Silver Lake from Above

Silver Lake @ Bucks Lake Wilderness

(Plumas Co)

Plumas Road #24N29, off Bucks Lake Road
East of Bucks Lake, California.
a six mile, one lane, dirt road is the only vehicle access into this high elevation, dammed reservoir, tucked back against the wilderness. Secluded lake campsites await, you’ll just need to get a little dusty first. The turn off, at a small brown sign reading “Silver Lake”, one which is very easy to miss – due to the amount of homes, cabins, fencing and driveways in the vicinity.

bucks trailhead

Bucks Lake Wilderness
Plumas National Forest

All Bucks Lake Campgrounds

Kayaker @ Silver Lake

hiker

No swimming allowed at this Silver Lake, as it serves as a drinking water source for the neighborhoods below. Canoe & kayaking are allowed. Fishing is also popular at this location. Hiking trailheads at Silver Lake lead to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail), Mount Pleasant, Spanish Peak and a small gem of a swimming hole, we call mini Gold Lake.

Bucks Lake Wilderness Map

NFS Campground @ Silver Lake, near Quincy, CA

This small campground is actually set downhill from the rock earthen dam, which is something to ponder before/during a big earthquake. With sites 1-5 in a shady forest area and the others a bit closer to the lake, no campsite is too close to another. These are all well-spaced-out sites, providing decent privacy and minimal noise from neighboring campers. No campsites are located at the lake edge, as the rocky dam is a long structure and quite complex with water control measures.

All the campsites have new bear boxes for food storage, cuz ‘wilderness’ usually means black bears are roaming about. Deer tend to frequent campsites 1 & 2.

2020 update:
overnight camping fees now charged at this campground

silver camp 5

Silver Lake Campground NFS

campground

• Elevation: 5800′
• Number of Sites: 9
• Vehicle Accessibility: RV 22′
• Campsite Reservations: No
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Toilet: Vault
• Water: No piped/potable
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May – October
• Trailheads: PCT, Gold Lake, Rock Lake, Granite Gap, Bucks Lake Wilderness

silverbackdrop

As with most of the high elevation lakes in California, winter months can mean deep snow and dirt road closures. This campground is usually open through the end of October, but call head to the local rangers if in doubt.

Plumas National Forest
Mt. Hough Ranger District
39696 State Highway 70
Quincy, CA 95971
530-283-0555

ranger

See all Silver Lakes in California

Plumas Camping

Lil' Northfork Campsite
Primitive (dispersed) camping near Lil’ Northfork

Plumas National Forest Camping – Primitive Camp Sites

Spanish Creek, Quincy, CA
Spanish Creek, Quincy, CA

Plumas Forest Camping

NFSlogoNorth Sierra Nevada, Northern California

Listed below are primitive campgrounds w/ minimal facilities or open camping areas in Plumas National Forest. Plumas has excellent fishing as the big rivers & numerous creeks run thru this northern Sierra Nevada landscape. Open camping is allowed on almost any dirt road w/ a current campfire permit

see also – Plumas Campgrounds

driftwood

Brady’s Camp
[on Pine Creek near Argentine Rock]
near Quincy, CA – east on Squirrel Creek Rd. & go 8 mi. to the campground. Elevation 7200′ / Open May – October

pct

Bucks Lake has numerous NFS Campgrounds and PCT access; Overall elevation 5000′ w/ abundant boating, fishing and hiking. Snow in winter closes roads. Cabins, marina, lodge, restaurants. Bucks Lake Wilderness, Gold Lake, Silver Lake

Deanes Valley Campground camp
[along Rock Creek] Hwy.70 Quincy, go 3.5 mi. west on Buck Lake Rd. Head south & 7 mi. to the campground. Elevation 4400′ / Open April – October

 

35 mph

Ishi Wilderness hiker

Backpacking trails w/ dirt road access. Above Chico, beyond Cohassett; on the border of Tehema Co. and Butte Co. (Lassen NF & Plumas NF)

Inskip, CA – Way up beyond the Ridge, well past Magalia and Stirling City – find dense forests, dirt roads and camping. Philbrook Reservoir w/ West Branch Campground NFS. Elevation 5546′

24N10 – Plumas NF

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

lakesbasinhikers
lakes basin day hikers

Snag Lake California

4x4 dirtbikes fish

Ohio Valley – Seneca Road
[off Hwy 89 to southside] Primitive forest camping near Lake Almanor. ATV trails, hunting. Creeks and river camping closer to Seneca. High clearance or 4WD may be needed on these dirt back roads – depending on snow and mud. There is plenty dirt roads back here to explore.

Snake Lakecanoe
[good fishing area] Hwy.70 Quincy, go 5 mi. west on Buck Lake Rd. Head north & 5 mi. to the campground at the lake. Elevation 4200′ / Open April – October

Snake Lake, California
Snake Lake, California

Taylorsville Campground

Indian Valley - Plumas California

pinetree

 

digger pines
Bald Rock Road in Berry Creek, CA

see also – Feather River California

foreman creek
Foreman Creek @ Lake Oroville, (maxed out) FEB 2017

nearby towns –

Belden Town
Berry Creek, CA
Bucks Lakes, CA
Butte Meadows
Chico, CA
Greenville, CA
Oroville, CA
Paradise, CA
Portola, CA
Quincy, CA
Twain, CA


Gold Lake California

lilgoldlake
Hike-in only Gold Lake, Bucks Lake Wilderness.

California has more than one Gold Lake!

goldsign

Gold Lake, CA

(Sierra Co)
6409′ elev.

The biggest Gold Lake, California is the well-known one, along the Gold Lake Highway in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Plumas meets Tahoe National Forest. North of Gold Country Hwy 49, Downieville & the Yuba River. Right where the Sierra Nevada granite meets the volcanic lava rock of NorCal.

Packer Lake

Lakes Wilderness Map

Impressive jagged spires known as The Sierra Buttes (8591′) tower above the stunning lake scenery. This big Gold Lake is surrounded by a dozen smaller alpine lakes which make up the popular region called Lakes Basin. Easy access paved highway, which closes in winter for deep snow and winter recreation. The Gold Lake Highway is also referred to as Plumas County Road #S620

sierra buttes
the sierra buttes

Sardine Peak Fire Lookout lodgeranger rentals
NFS fire tower – no more overnight rentals!
overlooking the Sierra Buttes and the serene Lakes Basin, Yuba River, Northern Gold Country California

see CalPine Lookout near Sierraville, CA

driftwood

USFS

LAKES BASIN RECREATION AREA
Cabins, camping, lake fishing, backpacking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, off-roading, snow-mobiling.

lakesbasinhikers

snowmo

California Lakes

mini gold lake

Mini Gold Lake

(Plumas Co)
6000′ elev.

Another smaller Gold Lake exist on the granite slopes in Bucks Lake Wilderness – E of Oroville & W of Quincy, CA.

gold lake trailheadThis hidden gem is a hike-in only lake – and well worth the effort. A somewhat short hike, great ridge line views to the east, although the last half mile of this route is a doozie (moderately strenuous).

The main trailhead departs from Silver Lake and climbs a ridge line that heads over to the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). An off-shoot trail goes another mile to the miniature Gold Lake, a granite bowl of sheer beauty. A great day hike for those wishing to see the backcountry. Pack your picnic lunch, camera, and make a whole darn day of it!

Swimming & skinning dipping seem quite natural at this alpine lake, since it is a pretty remote location (without a lot of visitors) and there is absolutely no swimming allowed at neighboring Silver Lake.

bucks trailhead

The steep, overgrown, rocky shoreline leads one to bush whack through old trails, only to be met by a rock slide. Many dead ends and obstacles to climb around, or over. Some way… maybe, or maybe not!

Boulder and rock scrambling is the key phrase to remember, once you reach this lake. Knees may be sore from climbing, up and over the boulder ledge surrounding the lake bowl.

goldshore

Bucks Lake Wilderness Map

A few primitive camp sites are scattered about on the edge of the lake for those backpacking in, but be warned – they can be very difficult to reach. Much more suitable campsites can be found scattered throughout the area.

Warning: there are no flat, lush meadows to lounge in up at the lake, so pick yourself a side route (on the walk in) to find real seclusion and privacy.

view to Quincy

This mile-long-ridge hiking trail to mini Gold Lake has some amazing views down to the east side – Jacks Meadow right below; then Meadow Valley & Quincy off in the distant hills. RURAL CALIFORNIA – Plumas County from above.

jacks meadow
jacks meadow, way below

Sierra Nevada Lakes

High Sierra Gold Lakes in California

hike-in only lakes

hike

Golden Bear Lake
(Tulare Co)
12,000′ elev

High Sierra – Kings Canyon National Park
Center Basin / Center Peak 12,760′
PCT – Pacific Crest Trail
North of Mount Whitney
Eastern Sierra, Independence, CA

hike

Golden Trout Lake
(Inyo Co)
11,500′ elev

Trail #3306 from Onion Valley Campground
North of Mount Whitney
Eastern Sierra, Independence, CA

goldentroutlakecanyon
onion valley trail views
Eastern Sierra Lakes
Alpine Lake above Onion Valley, Eastern Sierra

Bucks Lake Campgrounds

indian rock
Indian Rock is a beach (day use only) on the west side.

Bucks Lake, California

Below is a list of all the developed campgrounds & RV Parks surrounding the Bucks Lake region of Plumas National Forest in the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains. The infamous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) runs through Bucks Lake Wilderness, so there are also trailhead camps and backcountry camp sites that are not in this list. This high elevation region closes the campgrounds for winter: NOV- APRIL

campgrounds RV campgrounds fishing lakes campgrounds launch lake camping hiking lakes

Campgrounds at Bucks Lake

campground elev spots veg toilet water
Hutchins Group Camp 5200′ 10 pines flush piped
Lower Bucks Campground 5200′ 6 pines vault piped
Mill Creek Campground 5200′ 10 pines vault piped
Sundew Campground 5200′ 19 pines vault piped

NFS camps

NFS Camps nearby

campground elev spots veg toilet water
Deanes Valley Campground 4400′ 7 mixed vault creek
Grizzly Creek Campground 5400′ 8 pines vault piped
Silver Lake Campground 5800′ 9 pines vault lake
Snake Lake Campground 4200′ 14 mixed vault lake
Whitehorse Campground 5200′ 20 pines vault creek

USDA
Plumas National Forest

Oroville Ranger Station NFS
530-534-6500

Quincy Ranger Station NFS
530-283-0555

Bucks Lake CA

PG&E Campground @ Bucks Lake

Haskins Valley Campground
16731 Bucks Lake Rd
530-283-0256

Grizzly Forebay Campground
CLOSED in 2013 by PG&E
530-896-4263 (for more info)

RV Parks @ Bucks Lake

Bucks Lake Camp & RV
280 Bucklin Road
530-283-2221

Bucks Lake Marina
16469 Bucks Lake Rd
530-283-4243

Lakeshore Resort
16001 Bucks Lake Rd
530-283-2848

grizzly creek