Campground

Berger

Tahoe National Forest
Near Bassetts, California

Facilities

The campground offers single-family tent sites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Drinking water is not provided.

Natural Features

The campground is located at an elevation of 5,900 feet, near the banks of Packer Creek and just a short distance from Packer Lake. The campground is located within stands of lodgepole pine, cedar and fir trees. Packer Lake is a remote six-acre body of water tucked at the foot of the Sierra Buttes in Tahoe National Forest.

Recreation

A large network of trails is available in the Packer Lake area, including the Pacific Crest Trail, which is just a short trip from the campground. Many lakes in the area, including Packer Lake and Lower Sardine Lake, offer stocked rainbow and brook trout fishing, in addition to canoeing. During the late spring months, visitors looking for a more extreme adventure might want to try whitewater rafting on the North Yuba River.

Recreation Sites

  • Tent Only Nonelectric
  • Standard Nonelectric
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Camping
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Scenic Drive
  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Climbing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hunting
  • Kayaking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Mushroom Picking
  • Mountain Climbing
  • Non-Motorized Boating
  • Off Highway Vehicle Trails
  • Off Road Vehicle Trails
  • Picnicking
  • Rafting
  • Star Gazing
  • Swimming

Amenities

  • Accessible Vault Toilets
  • Self Pay Station
  • Trash Collection
  • Picnic Table
  • Campfire Rings
  • Food Storage Locker

Nearby Attractions

The Lakes Basin offers boating, fishing and hiking. Over 30 miles of maintained trails branch out across the area. Many of the trails are also open to biking and horseback riding.   On the water, visitors enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing. Anglers will find rainbow and brook trout in many of the lakes throughout the basin. A boat ramp is located at Gold Lake.

Getting Here

Latitude
39° 37' 40.0001" N
Longitude
120° 38' 40.9999" W

From Sierraville, drive 18 miles south on Highway 49, turn right at Bassett, and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at the Packer Lake turnoff (Forest Road 93) and continue to the campground. 

From Downieville, head north (east) on Highway 49 for about 18 miles, turn left at Bassett, and drive approximately 1.5 miles to the Sardine Lake turnoff. Turn right at the Packer Lake turnoff (Forest Road 93) and continue to the campground. 

Need to Know

  • Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Yuba River Ranger District (530) 288-3231(voice) or, (530) 288-3656 (TDD).

  • No hookups at this campground
  • Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
  • One vehicle (or two motorcycles) included with reservation. Additional vehicle fee cost is $5/each per night for all untowed vehicles. Please pay extra vehicle fee at the self-serve fee tube located near campground entrance.
  • 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.

  • Contact Information

    YUBA RIVER RANGER STATION
    THIS IS THE ADDRESS OF THE RANGER STATION, NOT THE CAMPGROUND
    15924 HIGHWAY 49
    Camptonville, CA 95922

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (530) 265-4531.

    Additional Information