Grizzly

Campground · California · 29 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Plumas National Forest (NF) · Open Access

29
Bookable sites
up to 8
People per site
1
Accessible site
5,871 ft
Elevation
Grizzly CG Trailer in Site
Photo: United States Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Overview

Grizzly Campground (5,777 feet) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. The recreation area and its namesake lake, Lake Davis provides the classic lake fishing experience. For example, there are four boat launching facilities and many fishing access points around the lake. Water skiing and jet skiing are not allowed on this lake. That makes it a quieter location for that peaceful leisurely camping experience you're looking for.

Recreation

In addition to camping, the area offers a wide variety of popular water-related activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. Numerous fishing access points are located around the perimeter of the lake and anglers will find rainbow and brown trout, bass and catfish. A boat ramp is available a half-mile north of the campground. Mountain biking, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are also available in the area. 

Facilities

The campground offers dozens of single-family sites, two of which are accessible, for tent and RV camping. A large portion of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Utility hookups are not provided.



Each site is equipped with picnic table, campfire ring with grill, and can accommodate up to two vehicles. Campground host, accessible flush toilets, and drinking water are provided. Campers are welcome to take advantage of the coin-operated showers half a mile away at Grasshopper Flat Campground.

Natural Features

Lake Davis covers 4,000 acres and was created in 1967 for recreational opportunities, as well as to rejuvenate fish populations in nearby rivers and supply water to the town of Portola. The lake offers 32 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by tall pine trees. The campground is on the eastern shore and just a few campsites have lake views. The trees provide ample shade for the campground, however privacy is limited by a lack of understory.

Smith Peak State Game Refuge borders the lake to the east and south, creating prime habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds. Rich meadow rangeland combines with pine forest in every direction around the lake. Many lovely stands of aspen show, adding their richness to area fall color.

Nearby Attractions

The closest town is Portola, California, which is about 9 miles from the campground. 

Portola is home to one of the largest railroad museums in the western United States. 

Visit Smith Peak Fire Lookout when lightning is not expected.

Explore the many forest roads in this area. Take along a map, full tank and a dependable vehicle.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.

The facts

  • 29 bookable sites
  • 57 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 1 accessible site
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: AREA GRIZZLY

Site types

  • 29 Standard Nonelectric
  • 28 Management

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

57 campsites at Grizzly

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
002AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
003AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
004AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
005AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
006AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
007AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
008AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
009AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
010AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InGravel—8 🐾
011AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
012AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
013AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
014AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
015AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8♿ 🐾
016AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
017AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
018AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
019AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
020AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
021AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
022AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
023AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
024AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
025AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
026AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
027AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
028AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
029AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
030AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
031AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
032AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
033AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
034AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
035AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
036AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
037AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
038AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
039AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
040AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
041AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
042AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
043AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
044AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
045AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
046AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
047AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
048AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
049AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
050AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
051AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
052AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
053AREA GRIZZLYStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—8 🐾
054AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
055AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
XXX39AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾
XXX40AREA GRIZZLYManagementBack InPaved—8 🐾

Getting there

From Reno, travel north on Highway 395 to Highway 70 and turn west to Portola. From Portola, take County Road 126 north for 7 miles, then County Road 112 to the east side of Lake Davis. Continue approximately 1 mile to the campground, which is on the left.

39.88722, -120.47250 · 39°53'14.0"N 120°28'21.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 42°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F434652586777868579665342
Low °F192125293540454337302419
Precip in4.23.93.61.61.10.50.30.30.41.12.04.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.7 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 Grizzly

Can you reserve a site at Grizzly?
Yes, Grizzly is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Grizzly have?
57 sites in total, of which 29 can be booked.
Are pets allowed at Grizzly?
Yes, pets are allowed at Grizzly.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Senior and Access passes are honored for single campsites only

Restrictions:

  • 14 day camping limit
  • 6 people per campsite, 12 people for double sites
  • 2 vehicles per campsite
  • OHV riding is not allowed:
  • Store food, trash and scented items appropriately - Be Bear Aware

Accessibility:

  • There are 2 sites that are fully accessible with grills, fire rings, water hydrants, a hardened pad (one site is paved) and paved walkways to accessible toilet building.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Grizzly

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-08.

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