Gold Lake Campground (CA)
Campground · 37 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Plumas National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 37
- Bookable sites
- 2 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 6,463 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Gold Lake Campground (6,445 feet) is on the east shore of Gold Lake, a glacially carved alpine lake. This campground is within easy reach of many trailheads Gold Lake Boating Facility and many other activities.
Recreation
Gold Lakes Basin offers a variety of recreational activities including boating, fishing and hiking. A network of over 30 miles of maintained trails branch out across the area, and the Pacific Crest trail can be easily reached from the trail system. Many of the trails are open to hiking, biking and horseback riding, including the 1-mile Grassy Lakes Trail, accessible from the campground.
Gold Lake, where a boat ramp is provided, visitors enjoy convenient access to boating and fishing. Once on the water, anglers won't have any trouble trolling for brown and rainbow trout and Mackinaws in the cool, clear waters.
Facilities
There are 38 total campsites suitable for RV and tent camping, standard non-electric sites Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are vault toilets and Porta- potties
Natural Features
The area was formed by glaciers and is characterized by breathtaking mountain scenery--most notably the craggy peaks of the Sierra Buttes and over 20 natural glacial lakes, most of which are accessible by well-maintained hiking trails. The campground sits among fir and aspen trees along Gray Eagle Creek. Mt. Elwell towers to the west.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.The facts
- 37 bookable sites
- 38 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Vehicles up to 2 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: Gold Lake
Site types
- 37 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
38 campsites at Gold Lake Campground (CA)
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gold Lake | Management | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | 2 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 034 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 035 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 036 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 037 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 038 | Gold Lake | Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
39.67740, -120.64610 · 39°40'38.6"N 120°38'46.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 89°F in Jul, down to 46°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 48 | 52 | 58 | 63 | 72 | 81 | 89 | 89 | 83 | 72 | 56 | 46 |
| Low °F | 30 | 31 | 33 | 36 | 42 | 46 | 51 | 50 | 46 | 39 | 33 | 29 |
| Precip in | 11.3 | 10.7 | 10.0 | 5.3 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 11.8 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 12.3 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 Gold Lake Campground (CA)
- Can you reserve a site at Gold Lake Campground (CA)?
- Yes, Gold Lake Campground (CA) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Gold Lake Campground (CA) have?
- 38 sites in total, of which 37 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Gold Lake Campground (CA)?
- 2 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Gold Lake Campground (CA)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Gold Lake Campground (CA).
Also listed by
Gold Lake Campground (CA) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Gold Lake Campground (CA)'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
- 2 vehicles per campsite
- OHV riding is not allowed
- Store food, trash and scented items in the bear resistant lockers - Be Bear Aware
Accessibility:
- Accessible toilet building near site #6
Camping near Gold Lake Campground (CA)
- Lakes Basin 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Gold Lake 4 X 4 Campground 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Diablo 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Berger 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Packsaddle 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Salmon Creek 4.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sardine Lake 4.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Goose Lake Campground 0.5 mi · Campground
- Haven Lake Campground 0.9 mi · Campground
- Snag Lake Campground 1.1 mi · Campground
- Lakes Basin Campground 1.9 mi · Campground
- Sierra Valley Shooting Range 5.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 530-927-7878
- Email james.bradeen@usda.gov
- Book Recreation.gov
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.
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