Lakes Basin Group Campground .
The campground opens for the 2026 season on May 22. Reservations through Recreation.gov begin June 12. The site operates seasonally through late September, with dry camping only after mid-September when water is turned off. Stay limit is 14 consecutive days.
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.…
Plumas National Forest Camping Stay and Occupancy Limits
A Forest Closure Order with the limits for amount of time and number of people allowed when camping on the Plumas National Forest. The maximum time is 14 days in a developed campground, 14 days dispersed camping per Ranger District per year, not exceeding 30 days camping per year on the Plumas…
About
Lakes Basin Group Campground occupies a historic site in Plumas National Forest where the Lakes Center Lodge once stood from 1912 until the late 1970s. This tent-only group campsite accommodates up to 25 people and is available by reservation only through Recreation.gov. At 6,400 feet elevation, the campground provides a base for exploring one of the Sierra Nevada's most concentrated lake basins. The site includes vault toilets, seasonal potable water from a hand pump, fire rings with grills, picnic tables, food storage lockers, and garbage service. No hookups, showers, or dump stations are available. The campground enforces a 14-day stay limit and requires bear-aware food storage practices. The surrounding Lakes Basin Recreation Area features over 30 glacially carved alpine lakes, most accessible by hiking trails. The nearby Round Lake Trailhead provides access to excellent swimming spots and nature viewing opportunities throughout the high country.
Directions
From Graeagle, take Highway 89 southeast three miles to Gold Lake Highway. Proceed on Gold Lake Highway approximately nine miles to the Lakes Basin Campground entrance near Round Lake Trailhead and Mt. Elwell Lodge. The group campground turnoff is about 100 yards past the main entrance.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $80 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (530) 836-2575 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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