Gold Lake 4 X 4 Campground

Plumas National Forest

Gold Lake 4x4 campground in northeast Plumas County, CA lies at 6,400 feet in elevation within the Plumas National Forest. The mountains, forest and lake setting provide a picturesque landscape for relaxation, adventure and exploration.

A popular location with access to the backcountry, visitors should carefully review what this facility provides. This campground is not a luxury destination and may not meet your comfort level. This is a rustic campground with no utilities, water, hookups, trash service, or restroom facilities. Campers must pack out all their sanitation and trash. Families may decide one of the other campgrounds nearby is better suited to meet their needs and expectations.

Visitors staying at the 4x4 campground will be within the Lakes Basin Recreation Area that requires camping within developed campsites. For those seeking a more dispersed experience, campers must ensure they are well outside the boundaries of the recreation area. The Lakes Basin & Sierra Buttes Map illustrates where boundaries and forest roads are found. These maps are available at the USGS Store online or from Plumas National Forest Offices.

A boulder strewn OHV road is the primary access to this campground. Experienced drivers that can self-extricate or make emergency repairs may be needed. Passenger or sport utility vehicles are not recommended.

Alternatively, boat campers may access the campground from the boat launch facility on the east side of the lake. However, there are no boat facilities at the 4x4 campground. Boaters should be aware that strong, gusty afternoon winds are common and can hinder small watercraft.

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and bear locker for food storage. Our bears love your food, toothpaste and scented lip balm more than you do. If you don't want to share your supplies, we recommend you use the bear locker.

The popularity of this facility combined with a broken, unserviceable restroom have resulted in resource damage and unhealthy, unsafe conditions. The dilapidated restrooms are planned for removal this season. In an effort to keep this campground open, the Forest Service has enacted some temporary measures until a cost effective, technological improvement of restroom facilities that can handle extreme environmental conditions is found.

These measures include making the campground reservation only to allow more administrative control. All campers must now arrive with a plan that addresses the safe removal of all solid human waste. This is best accomplished when using Waste Alleviating Gel Bags (WAG bags). These are readily available online or at sporting goods outlets. We understand this is not an ideal situation but we are asking the public's help in improving conditions at this campground.

Notifications and Alerts

As of May 10, 2024, deep snow is expected to block access to this facility until June 13th.

Need to Know

• Available Camping – By reservation only. First come camping is prohibited. Reservations holders are responsible for their group.

• About the Campground – No water, toilet facilities or trash service. Rustic camping experience. Access via OHV road. Campground monitored by Forest Service and volunteers.

• Parking - All wheeled vehicles and trailers are allowed only on roads and parking areas. Park excess vehicles outside the campground. Never crush the brush when parking.

• About Campsites - Campsites 2, 3, 7, and 8 do not have lakeside access. All campsites have picnic table, fire ring, bear resistant locker, and parking area.

• Limits - 14 days, 8 people, 2 vehicles. Quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am.

• Sanitation - Safely pack-out and properly dispose of all solid human waste. Be Bear Aware by properly stowing all food and scented items.

• Expect these Fees - Reservations require payment of a non-refundable reservation fee. Since the OHV staging area has limited parking expect to use the fee area parking at Gold Lake Boat Launch.

• OHV Staging Area - Parking restrictions and other information for this area are posted on the kiosk. Human waste that is safely bagged in Waste Alleviating Gel may be placed inside the dumpster.

• About the Lake - Boating facilities are available on the east side of the lake. Launch small watercraft at lakeside campsites. Strong winds may cause dangerous water conditions.

• Cellular Service – Spotty service. Dial 911 in emergencies. Contact Sierra County Sheriff’s Office if needed.

• Community Support – Closest community is Graeagle with basic supplies, fuel, and health care. Eastern Plumas Health Care in Portola has the nearest emergency medical treatment facility.

Natural Features

As the Lakes Basin Recreation Area name implies, the region has many crystal clear alpine lakes to explore. Glacial carved granite peaks and ridges, sunrises and sunsets reflected in the waters over Gold Lake, the whisper of pines rustling in the wind or a glimpse of a shy doe will leave an indelible memory and entice you to return again and again.

The region is rich in history that includes Native American use, gold discovery, westward migration, forestry, railroads, grazing, and agriculture. You may even find evidence of those that travelled here decades or centuries before you.

Nearby Attractions

Though in a remote location, Gold Lake 4X4 Campground is near several attractions worth visiting.

Mills Peak Fire Lookout is manned during fire season and welcomes visitors.

Mills Peak Trail, a premier mountain bike trail, descends from the lookout towards the community of Graeagle.

Pan for gold and explore the hard rock mining history or attend one of the other interpretive activities at Plumas Eureka State Park.

Try not to miss the spectacular views of and from the Sierra Buttes and its lookout.

All aboard! Take a ride on the rails while checking out the Railroad Museum in Portola.

The Reid Cattle Company can offer cowboys and cowgirls trail rides at the outlet of Gold Lake or from their Graeagle location.

Recreation

Visitors often use this campground as a home base to enjoy water sports, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and a host of other activities.

The OHV access road continues beyond the campground and onto the adjacent Tahoe National Forest. From here, other roads lead north toward "A-Tree", LaPorte and Plumas Eureka State Park, southwest towards Downieville and Sierra City and south toward Packer Lake and Sardine Lakes. Make sure to take a suitable vehicle, a map, and extra food and water.

Contact Information

Mailing

Beckwourth Ranger District Office PO Box 7 23 Mohawk Road Blairsden CA 96103

Physical

There is no physical address for the campground, it is located off of Gold Lake Highway

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 530-836-2575

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Reno, NV, take US 395 north. At Halleluiah Junction go west 32 miles on Highway 70 to Blairsden. Take the Highway 89 turnoff south 3.5 miles to Gold Lake Highway. Proceed southwest on Gold Lake Highway, 9.1 miles to Gold Lake Campground Road. Follow the signs to the 4X4 staging area, the campground is approximately 2 miles further down the OHV road.

From Hwy 80 (Truckee) take Highway 89 north 54 miles to Gold Lake Highway. Follow the Gold Lake Highway southwest 9.1 miles to the Gold Lake Campground Road. Follow the signs to the Gold Lake 4x4 staging area. The campground is about 2 miles further down the OHV road.

Drivers can also reach this destination from Hwy 89 to Hwy 49 over Yuba Pass or from the Grass Valley/Nevada City area on Hwy 49. Call for more directions.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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