Big Reservoir Campground
Closed for the season. Opens around late May for the summer season through early September. Reservations through Recreation.gov must be made at least 3 weeks in advance.
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Downieville Downhill Closure Order
Closure of identified forest roads and trails for Downieville Downhill.
Big Chief Sale Closure
This order closes forest system roads and trails within the Big Chief project area. This closure is to provide for public safety while 675 acres of forest are treated to enhance wildfire defense in the area.
Woodchopper Timber Sale Closure
Closure of the Woodchopper project area to allow for timber removal and wildfire risk reduction work.
Boca Stewardship Agreement Closure
Closure of the Boca Stewardship Agreement project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.
Cabin Creek Closure
Closure for the Cabin Creek Project area to allow for wildfire risk reduction work.
Rattlesnake Road Closure
Closure of Rattlesnake Road to allow for PG&E to complete the Lake Fordyce Dam Seepage Mitigation Project.
Alpine Meadows Stewardship Agreement Closure
This order closes the Alpine Meadows Project area to allow forest restoration work to take place.
Sugar Pine Roadside Fuel Break Project
Tahoe National Forest contractors are conducting fuels reduction work in the Sugar Pine Reservoir area. Contractors will be masticating ladder fuels to reduce wildfire risk adjacent to North Brimstone Rd (24) between Sugar Pine Rd and Big Reservoir Rd. There may be unexpected hazards such as flying…
Parking Restrictions
Parking or leaving a vehicle is prohibited on Tahoe National Forest where posted.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: McNair & Quail Landings - 59 acres
Tahoe National Forest is planning to conduct a prescribed burn in the Calpine area, conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from Calpine, Sierraville, Loyalton and surrounding areas. Smoke may settle overnight in valleys, drainages, and throughout the surrounding communities. Smoke will…
Snow Grooming Updates
Grooming operations have ceased pending new storms. Conditions are more like late April/May than March. Expect running water and thin snow coverage. Trailhead location for Little Truckee Summit staging is currently at the Perazzo turnoff. GROOMING PROGRAM: Snowmobile trail grooming is funded by…
Sierraville Ranger District Trail Closure
Forest Trail 16E87 (Boca-Loyalton Trail) is closed for public health and safety.
Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety and toprotect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Truckee and Sierraville RangerDistricts of the Tahoe National Forest. This Order is effective from July 1, 2025, through…
Highway 20 Area Camping Restrictions
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
14-day Camping Occupancy Restrictions
Camping on the Tahoe National Forest is limited to 14 days in a calendar year.
Hoke Valley- Forest Road 860-07 (17E11 Trail) Closed
Forest Road 860 -01 (17E11 Trail) in the Hoke Valley area has been closed to allow for Hoke Valley Meadow restoration.
About
Big Reservoir Campground is a seasonal Forest Service campground located in the Sierra foothills of Tahoe National Forest, adjacent to the privately-operated Big Reservoir (also known as Morning Star Lake). Sites 1-19 are managed by the Forest Service and reservable through Recreation.gov, while sites 20 and above are operated by Morning Star Campground and require separate booking through their office. The campground provides vault toilets and drinking water from faucets. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with cooking grille. Firewood is available for purchase at the Morning Star Campground office. Note that use of the lake and Morning Star facilities requires a separate $25 fee not included in your campsite reservation. The area offers easy access to outdoor recreation including OHV trails at the nearby Sugar Pine staging area and fishing, boating, and swimming at Sugar Pine Reservoir, located 9 miles away. Restrictions prohibit gasoline-powered boats on Big Reservoir, as well as firearms, slingshots, fireworks, and chainsaws.
Directions
From I-80, take the Foresthill Road exit and continue 17 miles to Foresthill. Continue 9 miles to Sugar Pine Road, turn left and drive 3 miles to Forest Road 24, then continue 3 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $24 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 346-3028 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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