USDA Forest Service · California
Lightning Tree
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 40
- Hookups
- 39 no hookups
- Season
- May 23 to September 28
- Max RV length
- 45 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,843 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- LIGHTNING TREE (NFSR 24N60Y) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Plumas National Forest
- Nearest town
- BLAIRSDEN
- Address
- PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT, BLAIRSDEN, CA, 96103
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
40 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Lightning Tree Campground (5,800 feet) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. The lake was formed by damming Grizzly Creek in 1967. The purpose of the lake was to provide water for the town of Portola, improve area fishing and provide recreation opportunities. The 32 miles of shoreline has several boat launch facilities and fishing access points. Lightning Tree Campground is a great place to serve as hub for family fun and recreation. At the end of the day return to this home away from home to relax around the campfire.
Recreation
In addition to camping, the area offers a wide variety of popular water-related activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. Numerous fishing access points are located around the perimeter of the lake and anglers will find rainbow and brown trout, bass and catfish. A boat ramp is located nearby.
Mountain biking, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are also available in the area. During winter months, visitors enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Facilities
The campground offers more than three dozen single and double capacity campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Some accessible campsites are available. Most sites are available on a first come basis and the rest are open for reservation up to six months in advance. Coin-operated showers are available 4 miles away at Grasshopper Flat Campground.
Natural Features
Lake Davis is situated in the hills north of the town of Portola in the Plumas National Forest. Smith Peak State Game Refuge to the south and west of the lake is a great place for bird watching, nature viewing, photography and exploring. Large sheep herding ranches used this area before the dam was build. Today, cattle trek across the rangeland meadows. Get a panoramic view of Lake Davis, Sierra Valley and peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges from Smith Peak Fire Lookout.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (530) 836-2575.
Nearby Attractions
Restaraunts, stores and services are available in Portola, CA
Visit the largest railroad museum in the Western United States located in Portola.
The old Basque style sheepherder bread oven at Jenkins Point has been restored
Visit Smith Peak Fire Lookout
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 22° | 5° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 22° | 2° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 42° | 24° | 6° | 73° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 50° | 28° | 13° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 40° | 25° | 75° | 5 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 47° | 31° | 90° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 56° | 41° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 57° | 47° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 48° | 37° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 65° | 38° | 26° | 76° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 28° | 7° | 65° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 22° | 6° | 55° | 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
- Grasshopper Flat · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 71 sites
- Grizzly · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 57 sites
- Crocker Guard Station · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 1 sites
- Crocker Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 9 sites
- Conklin Campground · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi
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.