How much does camping cost at Gurnsey Creek?

Camping fees at Gurnsey Creek range from $33.97-$112/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Gurnsey Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Gurnsey Creek accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Gurnsey Creek before I book?

Yes! Gurnsey Creek has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Gurnsey Creek?

Gurnsey Creek is open May 22 to October 05. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Gurnsey Creek?

Gurnsey Creek does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Gurnsey Creek?

Cell phone service at Gurnsey Creek is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Gurnsey Creek have?

Gurnsey Creek has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Gurnsey Creek?

Pets are not allowed at Gurnsey Creek. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Gurnsey Creek?

Gurnsey Creek offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Gurnsey Creek

Q: Can I have a campfire at Gurnsey Creek?

Fire policies at Gurnsey Creek: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

2.80

24 reviews

Almanor Ranger District, P.O. BOX 767, 900 E HWY 36, CHESTER, CA 96020, USA

Featured in:Boating Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $112/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open from May 22 to ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Almanor Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$33.97 - $112/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open from May 22 to ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Almanor Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Gurnsey Creek

$33.97 - $112.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-GS1: $56.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-GS2: $112.00; MANAGEMENT: $33.97. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee...

Group Site Fee$112.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-258-2141

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Almanor Ranger District, P.O. BOX 767, 900 E HWY 36, CHESTER, CA 96020, USA

Gurnsey Creek

Almanor Ranger District, P.O. BOX 767, 900 E HWY 36, CHESTER, CA 96020, USA

Nearby places

Chester (14 miles, ~20 minutes), Lake Almanor (14 miles, ~20 minutes), Southwest Entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park (14 miles north, ~20 minutes)

Weather at Gurnsey Creek

Current alerts(4)

Bears frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and trash
Click here for more information on the Lassen National Forest
Off-road vehicle use is prohibited within the campground
Please remember to check current Fire Restrictions.

Best Time to Camp at Gurnsey Creek

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest, driest weather at this 4,700 ft site — daytime highs typically range from the mid-60s to low-80s°F with cool nights in the 40s–50s. Trails, boat ramps, and the creek are all at their most usable, making July–August ideal for hiking, fishing, and boating; starry nights and comfortable evenings also make for great campfires (when permitted). Expect moderate weekend crowds and the best full-service availability, but be aware of possible late-s Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers best access and warmest conditions; reviews note high solar potential in summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 05. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 22 to October 5 (Peak Season).

About Gurnsey Creek

Gurnsey Creek sits in mid-elevation forest within Lassen National Forest, operated by the Almanor Ranger District near Chester. The small campground offers tent, RV, primitive, and group camping with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Reviewers appreciate the spacious sites and proximity to both Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Almanor, though recent tree removal has reduced shade and privacy in some areas.

Gurnsey Creek Campground offers individual campsites and two large group camping areas. RVs and tents are supported, but there are no utility hookups available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the warmest, driest weather at this 4,700 ft site — daytime highs typically range from the mid-60s to low-80s°F with cool nights in the 40s–50s. Trails, boat ramps, and the creek are all at their most usable, making July–August ideal for hiking, fishing, and boating; starry nights and comfortable evenings also make for great campfires (when permitted). Expect moderate weekend crowds and the best full-service availability, but be aware of possible late-s Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation4700 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryMixed conifers. Pine, fir, and cedar. Grow from volcanic soils at this elevation, though recent fire management has thinned the forest considerably. Gurnsey Creek runs through the campground. Lake Almanor and Lassen Volcanic National Park are both within day-trip range. The creek itself is clear and accessible for fishing. One camper noted enough sun exposure after tree removal to generate 200W from solar panels in summer, about half their rig's capacity.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is mentioned at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum of 14 nights per visit, and 14 nights total per year.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Group Site Loop #1 allows 56 guests
Group Site Loop #2 allows 112 guests.

Groups

Group Site 1 accommodates up to 56 people across seven individual campsites (sites 31-37), while Group Site 2 accommodates up to 112 people across 13 sites (sites 38-51). Both sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and parking spurs.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible vault toilets and parking.

Site SizeSites are relatively spacious according to reviews. The group sites include seven and thirteen individual sites respectively.

PrivacyPrivacy is noted as significantly reduced due to tree removal for fire management. One user stated, "Gurnsey will never be the same! Lots of trees removed and now the whole place is wide open!

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites with better solar exposure for RV solar panels; avoid sites near major roads to minimize noise.

Best CampsitesGroup Site #1 includes sites 31-37. Group Site #2 covers sites 38-51. For solar access, look for sites on the sunnier side of the campground. The tree removal has created more open spots than existed previously. Larger rigs should practice backing techniques before arrival, as parking space is limited at some sites.

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Gurnsey Creek Campground offers a blend of basic and group camping amenities. It features picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, accessible vault toilets, and drinking water. The campground lacks utility hookups but has a water-filling station at the entrance. "Dozens of individual campsites and two reservable group sites are available," according to official documentation. Vault toilets are noted for their accessibility but there is no explicit information about their cleanliness. Parking is described as limited within the campground. User reviews highlight a heavily wooded environment, though significant tree removal has reduced privacy in recent years.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The primary activities include hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Nearby attractions also offer opportunities for boating and other water-based activities, particularly at Lake Almanor. The campground is located near hiking trails and Gurnsey Creek, which is noted for rainbow trout fishing.

Hiking

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingTrash disposal facilities are not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Cell CoverageThere is cell phone service available, with one user noting that combining Verizon and T-Mobile networks worked well for video calls after using a router and booster. Specific details about coverage quality across the campground are not provided.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

2.8

24 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Gurnsey Creek has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are mixed, with an average sentiment rating of 3.7 overall and 2.67 for campground-specific sentiments. Positive aspects include spacious sites and access to basic amenities like potable water and vault toilets. However, the removal of trees has been a significant complaint, as it has reduced shade and privacy.

Review Summaries

Based on 24 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive highlights include the campground's spacious sites, its proximity to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Almanor, and the availability of accessible water spigots and vault toilets. One...

Based on 24 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints focus on the reduced tree cover and lack of privacy. A user remarked, "Gurnsey will never be the same! Lots of trees removed and now the whole place is wide open!" Another mentioned...

Based on 24 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Group Site 1 (sites 31-37) and Group Site 2 (sites 38-51) are noted for their capacity and amenities. Reviews for individual sites are limited.

Based on 24 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

For larger rigs, campers should practice backing in due to limited parking. Verizon and T-Mobile users may consider bringing a router and booster for improved connectivity.

Based on 24 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews emphasize the high solar potential for campers relying on solar panels. Tree removal has impacted shade availability, making some sites less comfortable during hotter months.

Based on 24 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Nice large spaces. Was heavily forested at one time, shade is nice, and now most of the trees are gone??" - Wayne Salo. 2. "Some spots for okay solar—we were getting 200W of a possible 400." -...

Based on 24 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible vault toilets and parking are available. No user reviews specifically address their usability or quality.

Based on 24 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically discuss pet-related policies or experiences.

Based on 24 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a base camp for exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lake Almanor with group or primitive camping options.

Skip if

You need dense shade and privacy, as recent tree removal has opened up the canopy.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.4

(42)

Elam Campground

Lassen National Forest

Elam Campground sits at 4,500 feet in Lassen National Forest along Highway 32, offering convenient mid-elevation access to geologic features and creek fishing. Operated by the Forest Service, this tent and RV campground provides vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables in a forested setting frequented by deer and chipmunks. Visitors use it as a base for exploring mineral pools and basalt formations or as an overnight stop between highways.