Diablo

Campground · California · 19 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Tahoe National Forest (NF) · Open Access

19
Bookable sites
60 ft
Max rig length
up to 6
People per site
5,880 ft
Elevation
View from Sierra Buttes
Photo: TNF · Recreation.gov

Overview

Diablo Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, in northern California. It is north of the Yuba River and next to Packer Creek. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest.

Recreation

A large network of trails is available in this area including the Pacific Crest Trail which can easily be accessed from the trailhead adjacent to the nearby Packsaddle Campround. Hikers can reach a variety of alpine lakes, which offer plentiful fishing. Canoeing  opportunities are available at Packer Lake.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family, tent campsites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided.

Natural Features

The campground lies near the banks of Packer Creek.  Stands of lodgepole pine provides partial shade at many sites.

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 area offers boating, fishing, hiking and more than 30 miles of maintained trails, that are also open to biking and horseback riding. The lakes provide visitors with ample opportunities to enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the scenic bodies of water in the area. 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 14 – October 15 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 19 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 60 ft
  • Up to 6 people per site
  • Loops: AREA DIABLO

Site types

  • 12 Standard Nonelectric
  • 7 Tent Only 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

19 campsites at Diablo

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
002AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft6 🐾
003AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
004AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
005AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
006AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
007AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
008AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
009AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
010AAREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
010BAREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
011AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft6 🐾
012AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft6 🐾
013AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
014AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft6 🐾
015AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
016AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾
017AREA DIABLOStandard NonelectricBack InGravel60 ft6 🐾
018AREA DIABLOTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel15 ft6 🐾

Getting there

From Sierraville, travel south on Highway 49 for 18 miles. Turn right at Bassett and continue just over a mile to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at Packer Lake/Forest Road 93 and continue to the campground.

From Downieville, travel north on Highway 49 for about 18 miles. Turn left at Bassett and continue just over a mile to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at Packer Lake/Forest Road 93 and continue to the campground.

39.63306, -120.63778 · 39°37'59.0"N 120°38'16.0"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, 11 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 Diablo

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

Also listed by

Diablo also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Diablo'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 in this area

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Diablo

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.