Berger

Campground · California · 9 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

9
Bookable sites
50 ft
Max rig length
up to 6
People per site
5,930 ft
Elevation
View from Sierra Buttes
Photo: TNF · Recreation.gov

Overview

Berger Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near Packer Creek and the Sierra Buttes, north of the Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, equestrian use, hunting, fishing, canoeing and OHV use.  This campground is operated and maintained by Forest Service staff.

Recreation

A large network of trails is available in the Packer Lake area, including the Pacific Crest Trail, which is just a short trip from the campground. Many lakes in the area, including Packer Lake and Lower Sardine Lake, offer stocked rainbow and brook trout fishing, in addition to canoeing. During the late spring months, visitors looking for a more extreme adventure might want to try whitewater rafting on the North Yuba River.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family tent sites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Drinking water is not provided.

Natural Features

The campground is located at an elevation of 5,900 feet, near the banks of Packer Creek and just a short distance from Packer Lake. The campground is located within stands of lodgepole pine, cedar and fir trees. Packer Lake is a remote six-acre body of water tucked at the foot of the Sierra Buttes in Tahoe National Forest.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

Nearby Attractions

The Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing and hiking. Over 30 miles of maintained trails branch out across the area. Many of the trails are also open to biking and horseback riding.   On the water, visitors enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes throughout the basin. A boat ramp is located at Gold Lake.

Charges & Cancellations

No Show Policy

A no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date (or for day-use facilities, by check-in time the day of arrival). 

* No-show customers are only recorded at staffed facilities. At most remote facilities, all customers are noted as automatically checked-in on the date of arrival.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

* It is recommended that staffed facilities hold group day-use facilities until check-in time on the arrival date.

There is no change fee if a customer extends or shortens a reservation if the change includes dates from the original reservation. If they choose to depart early, they may forfeit some or all of the recreation fees. 

There is no change fee if the customer changes campsites that are the same price and on the same reservation dates in the same campground. If the campsite the customer is changing to has a price difference, the customer will be responsible for any additional fees or be provided with a refund, based on the price difference. 

Where recorded, no-show customers are assessed a $20.00 no-show fee and forfeit the first night's recreation fee for a campsite or forfeit the entire day-use recreation fee for a day-use facility. We recommend customers contact the facility if they are en route to their reservation but cannot make it by the check-in date. In these cases, no refund will be issued, but the facility can ensure that a "no-show" fee is not assessed.

The facts

  • Season: June 13 – October 13 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 9 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 50 ft
  • Up to 6 people per site
  • Loops: AREA BERGER

Site types

  • 5 Tent Only Nonelectric
  • 4 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

9 campsites at Berger

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
01AREA BERGERStandard NonelectricBack InGravel——33 ft6 🐾
02AREA BERGERTent Only NonelectricBack InGravelSlightRiverfront35 ft6 🐾
03AREA BERGERTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel——32 ft6 🐾
04AREA BERGERStandard NonelectricBack InGravel——38 ft6 🐾
05AREA BERGERTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel—Riverfront18 ft6 🐾
06AREA BERGERTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel——25 ft6 🐾
07AREA BERGERTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel——25 ft6 🐾
08AREA BERGERStandard NonelectricBack InGravel——50 ft6 🐾
09AREA BERGERStandard NonelectricBack InGravel——34 ft6 🐾

Getting there

From Sierraville, drive 18 miles south on Highway 49, turn right at Bassett, and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at the Packer Lake turnoff (Forest Road 93) and continue to the campground. 

From Downieville, head north (east) on Highway 49 for about 18 miles, turn left at Bassett, and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at the Packer Lake turnoff (Forest Road 93) and continue to the campground. 

39.62778, -120.64472 · 39°37'40.0"N 120°38'41.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F485258637281898983725646
Low °F303133364246515046393329
Precip in11.310.710.05.33.61.10.10.20.73.36.811.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Berger

Can you reserve a site at Berger?
Yes, Berger is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Berger have?
9 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Berger?
50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Berger?
Yes, pets are allowed at Berger.
Are campfires allowed at Berger?
Campfires are allowed at Berger. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Berger also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Berger's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $20 per site $5 for extra vehicle

Restrictions:

  • Camping outside designated campground is prohibited

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Berger

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.