USDA Forest Service · California
Gold Lake Campground (CA)
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 38
- Hookups
- 37 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to October 11
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,457 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- GOLD LAKE CG (NFSR 21N61) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Plumas National Forest
- Phone
- 530-927-7878
- Activities
- Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Paddle Boating, Paddling, Sailboarding, Sailing, Swimming, Water Sports
38 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 22° | -1° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 22° | 4° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 23° | 7° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 25° | 13° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 61° | 36° | 21° | 74° | 6 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 44° | 29° | 88° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 54° | 41° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 54° | 46° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 46° | 35° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 36° | 24° | 75° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 28° | 5° | 64° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 23° | 5° | 56° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Goose Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Haven Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Gold Lake 4 X 4 Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 14 sites
- Snag Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Lakes Basin · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 25 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-05-08. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.