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Blue Lake Modoc
Blue Lake
Modoc National Forest
When you really wanna get away from it all, take a week off and head up to Modoc – the top northeast corner of California, where the volcanic mountains line the Great Basin. The population is minimal, cattle are abundant and the campers few. Even in mid summer, this ideal lake campground rarely fills up.
Jess Valley Road leads east off US 395 @ Likely, CA – 16 miles back to this hidden gem.
Headwaters to the Pit River.
NFS Campground is shady, well managed, and spread out on the eastern slope w/ numerous paved loops. Tent campers, cross country cyclists, truck campers w/ canoes, SUV families, motorhomes with kayaks and kids.
Blue Lake Campground NFS
• Elevation: 6,050′
• Number of Sites: 48
• Vehicle Accessibility: 32′ RV
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Campsite Reservation: No
• Water: Piped
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May –October
• Trailhead: Lake Loop
• Boat Ramp: Yes
Group Camp Facilities (by reservation only)
Modoc NF Warner Ranger District
@ 530-279-6116
Blue Lake National Recreation Trail
Right next to camp: A pretty much perfect LAKE LOOP (1.5 mi) hiking trail is worth a serious stroll; footbridge, wildflowers, fishing spots, minimal hills, lava rocks, and awesome scenery. Plenty of wildlife can be seen, including butterflies and bald eagles. Trail is shaded by tall white fir and ponderosa pine trees. Trailhead is located at the Day Use parking lot, w/ paved boat ramp, dock, and picnic area.
- back roads
- boating
- camping
- canoeing
- fishing
- hiking
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- picnicking
- swimming
- stargazing
- wildflowers
- wildlife
NOTE: not every CAMPSITE has a LAKE VIEW
Certain campsites are adjacent to the lake; some are set facing a meadow (Autumn w/ aspen groves), or the alpine forest w/ deer grazing. Perhaps an inner circle (interior) campsite, for those who like to be close to bathrooms and piped water. Large families will love the abundance of camp settings and accommodations.
Paved Loop
Plenty of Vault Toilets
Piped Water
Recycles & Trash Service
- no paved camp stall
- no hook-ups
- no dump station
- no cell phone signal
popular lake camp for motorhomes
When driving a large RV back in here, be courteous of other campers. Nothing sucks more than driving a long distance to the boonies, to arrive at camp just before dark and annoying everyone else already there.
Those needing to drive the campground loops (more than twice) looking for the biggest, levelest, best camp site – and burning $10 in gasoline doing so, should consider walking in.
Park that beast (near boat ramp area, before the camp entrance). Get out and walk the hills and loops, BREATHE & relax – prior to a choosing camp site.
Unhitch any tow vehicles; use that to scout out your perfect spot, if you cannot hike it. Trailers and large motorhomes will find this place ideal, but getting the right camp, can make all the difference.
Paved Trail around Campground
The wildfire: BLUE FIRE burned this region in 2001, but it is lush and green again (2019). Northern California gets some real weather. Rain and snow, more than half the year. The campground closes annually due to snow.
Kayaking is best done in the morning, cuz wind picks up in the afternoon. Canoes can launch at boat ramp, or at shoreline from trails near campsite.
Hiking trails can be found all around lake and campground. Wilderness access can be found at South Warner trailheads within a short drive from the lake.
Cyclists also love this camp, as it is located near a major highway and is a perfect place to really relax, soak in the scenery and get some quiet-nights sleep.
Modoc National Forest
225 West 8th Street
Alturas, CA 96101
530-233-5811
South Warner Wilderness is close by, driving distance; accessible by graded dirt roads. Signage is decent.
Modoc Forest Road #64 is a through-route, across the lower South Warners – 40
miles connecting to east side of the mountain, at Eagleville, CA.
Dirt Roads are suitable for trucks w/ trailers. SUVs and rugged passenger cars are okay. Motorhomes are not advised on this route. Washboard conditions are typical. Winter closure on this route is common.
MODOC RD 64
Several miles away from Blue Lake, 2 rustic trailhead campgrounds are located back this way – East Creek Campground & Patterson Campground. Less than 10 camp sites each, equipped w/ horse stalls, vault toilets and maybe piped water. Trailhead parking for backpackers. No RVs!
Autumn colors w/ aspen groves. Open, large meadows and mature forests w/ wildfire scars. Cattle can be found grazing all around, many cattle crossing.
Minimal primitive camping options, along road sides. Campfire permits required. No camping within one mile of a developed campground.
nearby towns –
- Likely, CA
- Alturas, CA
- Cedarville, CA
- Susanville, CA
see also –
Mill Creek Falls Campground
Autumn Camping California
Amazing autumn colors can be found through OCTOBER and NOVEMBER in California, but you’ll need to leave the city in order to find the very best colors and scenic beauty. Fall season happens quickly (within weeks) in the high country and slower (months) in the lowlands. Plenty canyons and parks in the urban centers have hiking trails thru some nice trees, but nothing compares to the backroads, creeks and rivers of the big mountains.
Elevations, the higher the better, is where you’ll find the real displays of color. Aspen groves can be found along mountain slopes, creek canyons from 5000′-10,000′ in elevation. Cottonwood trees are found in the drier regions, in ranching areas and in desert canyons – up to about 6000′ elevation. Aspen trees start to turn yellow as soon as the chill of nights drop; if the temperature shift is subtle, the aspen leaves become more orange as the days go into the fall season. If an early snow or freeze happens, just one night, the glorious foliage becomes dead brown crispies dangling in the wind.
CAMP FIRE RESTRICTIONS are still be in place from the dry summer, and now comes the autumn winds. Any decent amount of rain can change the fire burn status, so make sure to check with the rangers for up-to-date fire info.
Best Autumn Campgrounds in California
Many of these campgrounds are located in or near aspen groves & are simply spectacular during the fall months. Some may be located near alder groves. Maple trees located along rivers turn golden between September and October.
Higher elevation (7000′-9000′) colors will change faster and earlier in the year (as soon as September), whereas the lower countryside may wait until late October.
Pack warmly, cuz the cooler temps at night (20-30 degrees) is what makes these awesome, little autumn leaves change colors. The change can happen very fast (in days). When the early season snows move in – usually a minimal dusting by October, fall colors can fade fast.
Southern California
has minimal fall colors.
Big Bear Lake, CA
Lake Arrowhead, CA
Ojai Camping – Wheeler Gorge
Sespe Hot Springs (hike-in access only)
Southern and Central Sierra
have a few aspen groves and several cottonwood canyons.
Aspen Hollow Campground NFS
Giant Sequoia @ Hume Lake, CA
near Kings Canyon NP
Big Meadows Campground NFS
Stanislaus National Forest
Arnold, CA
Dinkey Creek Campground NFS
Sierra National Forest
Shaver Lake, CA
Ponderosa, CA
Quaking Aspen Campground
Quaking Aspen Cabin
Giant Sequoia National Monument
Wishon Reservoir
Lily Pad Campground
Sierra National Forest
Yosemite National Park
Tuolumne Meadows, Hwy 120
Yosemite Valley Campgrounds
Kirkwood, CA
Blue Lakes Road
Carson Pass CA Highway 88
Northern Sierra
The North Sierra Nevada Mountains covers the region with Lake Tahoe and Donner Pass, and north Gold Country. River canyons with fall colors include American River, Yuba River, and the Feather River.
Aspen Group Campground
@ Jackson Meadows Reservoir
near Truckee, CA
Berry Creek, CA
Milsap Bar, Middle Fork of the Feather River
Bucks Lake, CA
Haskins Valley & Grizzly Creek Campground
Oro-Quincy Highway – Plumas NF
Downieville, CA
Yuba River Campgrounds
Hope Valley, CA
Hope Valley Campground
Lake Tahoe
Eastern Sierra
The Eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada is the ‘place to be’ for Autumn Colors in California. The dramatic desert meets the tallest granite peaks. Every canyon is a different scene, many lakes lined with aspen groves, some have a creek with aspens.
Aspendell, CA
North Lake Campground
Lake Sabrina Road
Bishop Pass (high country hikes)
Bishop, CA
Bishop Creek, Hwy 168
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest – both Silver Canyon and
Cottonwood Creek have aspen trees. (both are 4×4 roads)
Bridgeport, CA
Green Creek Road w/ signage for
Dunderburg Meadow
Twin Lakes
Hoover Wilderness (high country hikes)
Independence, CA
Onion Valley Campground
Kearsarge Pass (high country hikes)
June Lake, Califonia
June Lake Loop #1S63 / CA Highway 158
- Grant Lake
- June Lake Campground
- Oh Ridge Campground
- Reverse Creek Campground
- Silver Lake @ June
- Parker Lake (dirt road to primitive camps)
- Walker Lake (hike-in)
Lee Vining, CA
Lee Vining Canyon / Hwy 120
One of the biggest aspen grove canyons in the state of California.
NFS Campgrounds in Lee Vining Canyon: Big Bend, Aspen Grove, Boulder, Moraine, and Cattleguard Campground.
NFS Camps @ Yosemite’s EAST GATE (9000′ elev): Ellery Lake, Junction, Saddlebag Lake, and Sawmill Campground.
Lundy Lake
Virginia Lakes
Trumbull Campground
Lone Pine, CA
Alabama Hills has a few cottonwoods.
Whitney Portal has some alder trees and a few aspens.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Red’s Meadow Campground
Devils Postpile NM
Laurel Lakes Road (rough dirt road)
Convict Lake
Tom’s Place, CA
McGee Creek Campground
Impressive Rock Creek Road #4S12 in Rock Creek Canyon, one of the very best “Scenic Autumn Drives” in the whole Eastern Sierra. Numerous NFS Campgrounds on this road; many of which close for the season, just about the time then fall colors peak.
Rock Creek Lake Campground @ 9600′ elev
Iris Meadow Campground @ 8600′ elev
Northern California
The “North State” primarily has the big river canyons, most of which have fall colors. Eel River, Klamath, Yuba River, Feather Rivers.
Blue Lake Campground
South Warner Mountains
Modoc National Forest
South Warner Mountains
Road 64 Modoc NF
Eagle Lake
Aspen Grove Campground (walk-in camp sites)
Susanville, CA
Sundial Bridge, over Sacramento River
River RV Parks
Redding, CA
Weaverville, CA
Mount Shasta, CA
(downtown of Mt. Shasta City)
McBride Springs Campground
(slopes of Mount Shasta)
Lake Siskiyou
Beach Camp Resort & RV Park
4239 W. A. Barr Rd
Mount Shasta CA
530 926-2610
McCloud, CA
McCloud Falls, South of Mount Shasta
Algoma Campground
McCloud Creek, South of Mount Shasta
MacArthur-Burney Falls State Park
Dusty Campground
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen National Forest
Lassen Camping
Lassen Lakes
Susanville, CA
Bizz Johnson Trail
Roxie Peconom Campground
Siskiyou Autumn Colors
(still to come)
White Tank Campground
White Tank @ Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park
White Tank Campground
desert hikers and rock climbers
love this small camp
White Tank & Belle campgrounds are the smallest camps Joshua Tree National Park has to offer. On the east side of park both campgrounds are located half a mile from one another.
This Southern California desert lunar-scape National Park is more popular & crowded because of the proximity to major urban areas. The south east side of the park entrance station, Cottonwood, is the least busiest gate.
- bouldering
- camping
- hiking
- stargazing
From the town of 29 Palms (on Highway 162) take National Park entrance South on Gold Park Rd. At intersection with Loop Rd. (do not turn right) Go straight through onto El Dorado Mine Rd. about two miles drive leads the 2 campgrounds.
Joshua Tree National Park
760-367-5500
760-367-7511
| campground | elev. | spots | veg | toilet | water | fee |
| White Tank | 3800′ | 15 | josh | vault | none | no |
Lake Campgrounds
California Lake Campgrounds
Wanna Camp at the Lake?
(you’re not the only one)
Nothing beats fresh, cold, clean water from the California mountains, in the summertime. Find time to exit the urban rat race, soon. Escape the smoggy city life and the triple-digit heat for a road trip to the higher elevations.
Lake Campgrounds are abundant in California, where man-made reservoirs and recreation abound. Alpine lakes in pine forests are also numerous in the west, although only accessible for a portion of the year, they draw in the campers all summer long. A majority of the small lakes are located inside the California National Forests.
USDA / USFS / NFS
Larger reservoirs can often be managed by California State Park system. State Parks, SRA, State Recreation Area. Suburban lake locations can be local County Parks. A few locations listed could even be desert lakes.
Many ideal secluded lakes are only accessible with a 4WD vehicle, by foot or horseback. Super scenic, backcountry lakes are so far out – that a day hike is usually required.
developed campground
primitive campsites
RV campground
wilderness access
No motorized boats, camping on west shoreline only, no fishing from the dam, catch & release?
No access for trailers? Individual rules for each lake are different. Learn the basic before you get out there.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS
Lake Campgrounds are so popular in California that many require reservations during summer. Many locations accept reservations online and we have links for those too. Other lakes are so small and remote, that only the fishermen, hikers and 4×4 gear-heads know of them.
outdoor recreation found at or near lakes
- backpacking
- boating
- camping
- canoeing
- creeks
- fishing
- floating
- four-wheelin
- hiking
- horseback riding
- house boating
- jetski
- kayaking
- mountain biking
- OHV trails
- picnicking
- rivers
- river rafting
- swimming
- water skiing
- waterfalls
Lake destinations listed here have some sort of campground facilities. Some may be mini resorts with boat launch, marina or bait shop/general store. RV hook-ups, maybe. Dump station, it will cost you. Usually these bigger lakes are busy centers of tourists activity with boat rentals, RV camping and certain locales are even walking distance from ‘town’.
Fine dining is a rare find on the lakes, but some lake side restaurants (open seasonally & with limited hours) can be found. Most will require reservations, especially on the weekends.
Other lake camps listed are literally on the edge of wilderness – with trails to the high country. The best little lakes will have one dirt road access. Below is a wide variety of lake destinations within California.
- Almanor Resorts
- Big Bear Lake Camps
- Bishop Lakes
- Blue Lakes Camping
- Central Valley Reservoirs
- Clear Lake State Park
- Eastern Sierra Lakes
- Gold Lake, California
- June Lake Loop
- Lake Mohave @ AZ border
- Lake Tahoe CA
- Lakes Basin Recreation Area
- Lassen Lakes
- Mammoth Lakes California
- Mono Lake @ US 395
- San Diego Lakes
- Secluded Lake
- Sequoia Lakes
- Shasta Lakes Camping
- Sierra Nevada Lakes
- Silver Lake, California
- Tahoe Camping
- Trinity Lake
- Twin Lakes @ Bridgeport
- Virginia Lakes
- Wilderness Lakes
- Yosemite Lakes
and let’s not forget the ever-popular California Lake List
Sturtevant Falls
Santa Anita Canyon, Sturtevant Falls
a day hike in the San Gabriel Mountains
Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest
From the 210 freeway, in San Gabriel Valley. East of Pasadena, exit Santa Anita Ave.
Head North/East, through neighborhood, where road becomes Chantry Flats Rd (aka, Forest Road #2N40)
proceed up the mountain to paved parking lot @ Chantry Flat. Falls Trailhead #11W14
- 5 miles RT hike
- 4600′ elevation
- steep canyon w/ creek crossings
- falls and creek subject to seasonal dry up; water flow varies
- backpack camping only, no developed campground