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.
PRESCRIBED FIRE NOTICE: Nyack - 200 acres
Total acreage: 200 Ignition dates: Dec. 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026 Location: Forest Service Rd. 19 between Fulda Creek and North Fork Campground, County Rd. 6001K between Casa Loma recreation cabins and Euchre Bar Trailhead
North Yuba Trail Closure
Forest Service Trail 9E06 (North Yuba Trail) between the Mountain House Road (County Rd 300) and Ramshorn is closed.
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 Ranger
Rattlesnake Road Closure
The purpose of this closure is to provide for public safety along the closed roads in light of their proximity to the Lake Fordyce Dam during dam reconstruction activities.
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.
Cabin Creek Sale Closure
To provide for public safety and to protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Tahoe National Forest.
Sand Pond Trail Boardwalk Closure
The Sand Pond Interpretive Trail is partially closed for visitor safety per Forest Order 17-24-17.
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
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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