Carr Lake Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from May 27 through October 15, with dates subject to change based on snow conditions and road access.

About

Carr Lake Campground is a hike-in campground situated on a picturesque alpine lake in the Tahoe National Forest, operated by PG&E under special use permit. Located at 6,663 feet elevation, the campground offers 11 primitive campsites accessed via a short hike from a parking area. The final 3 miles of access on Forest Road 17 is an unimproved dirt road not recommended for low-clearance vehicles, adding to the campground's more remote character. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the Grouse Lakes Area, with easy access to numerous alpine lakes and day hiking opportunities. The lake itself offers fishing, non-motorized boating, and swimming. Boats are restricted to a 10 MPH speed limit. Campers should be prepared for primitive conditions with pack-in/pack-out camping, as no garbage receptacles are provided. Sites are first-come, first-served at $15 per night, with check-in at 2:00 p.m. and checkout at noon. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Water must be treated or filtered from the lake, and vault toilets are available. The campground typically operates from late May through mid-October, depending on snow conditions and road access.

Directions

From Nevada City: Take Highway 20 east toward Truckee for approximately 20 miles. Turn left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). Continue for approximately 6 miles (windy, tight corners, paved) and turn right on Forest Road 17, an unimproved dirt road not recommended for low-clearance vehicles. Stay right for 3 miles to the parking area. From I-80: Take the Highway 20 exit and follow Highway 20 west for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18) and follow the same directions as above.

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