How much does camping cost at Big Sage Campground?

Camping fees at Big Sage Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Big Sage Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Sage Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is entirely walk-up with no reservations required.

What is the best time to visit Big Sage Campground?

Big Sage Campground is open Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.. 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 Big Sage Campground?

Big Sage Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Big Sage Campground?

Fire policies at Big Sage Campground: Campfires must be drowned completely each day with sufficient water brought by campers.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Big Sage Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Sage Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Big Sage Campground?

Big Sage Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Sage Campground?

Popular activities at Big Sage Campground include Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Sage Campground

3.75

16 reviews

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Featured in:Primitive Camping California

Quick Facts

4,888 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Facilities open as w...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,888 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Facilities open as w...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Big Sage Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees for camping at Big Sage Campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Big Sage Campground

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Nearby places

Alturas (approx. 9.5 miles, 15-20 minutes drive)

Nearby supplies

Supplies such as groceries and camping essentials can likely be found in Alturas, approximately 9.5 miles away.

Weather at Big Sage Campground

Best Time to Camp at Big Sage Campground

Fall brings the best conditions. Daytime highs run from the mid-50s to low 70s °F with nights dropping to the 30s and 40s °F. Cooler water temperatures make fish more active, fire danger typically drops, and crowds thin after Labor Day. The high desert light improves as autumn progresses. Summer heat and dust can be challenging, and winter sends temperatures well below freezing with snow covering the sagebrush. Spring offers cooler exploration weather before the heat returns.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall cited as the best season: milder temps, active fishing and better conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.

About Big Sage Campground

Big Sage Campground sits at 4,888 feet in Modoc National Forest's volcanic tablelands, where juniper woodland meets sagebrush steppe along Big Sage Reservoir. This primitive campground offers tent camping with picnic tables, no drinking water, and access to fishing and boating. The setting divides visitors: some find beauty in the stark high desert, while others note the dusty conditions and rough access roads.

Big Sage Campground caters primarily to tent campers and does not charge any fees. Primitive camping is likely available given the lack of water and limited amenities.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the best conditions. Daytime highs run from the mid-50s to low 70s °F with nights dropping to the 30s and 40s °F. Cooler water temperatures make fish more active, fire danger typically drops, and crowds thin after Labor Day. The high desert light improves as autumn progresses. Summer heat and dust can be challenging, and winter sends temperatures well below freezing with snow covering the sagebrush. Spring offers cooler exploration weather before the heat returns.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient lava flows shaped the Modoc Plateau into the rugged, wide-open country surrounding Big Sage. Juniper trees punctuate sagebrush plains that stretch to distant horizons, and the reservoir spreads across the landscape under high desert skies. The terrain is stark. Dust is common, and the water quality in the reservoir disappoints some visitors who arrive expecting clear swimming conditions. Still, the volcanic geology creates a distinctive setting unlike most of California, and the light at sunset can be spectacular across the open tablelands.

Geological RegionBig Sage Campground rests within the dramatic volcanic tablelands of Modoc National Forest, where ancient lava flows have created a unique high desert ecosystem. This juniper woodland and sagebrush steppe represents one of California's most distinctive geological regions, shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion into the rugged, wide-open country that defines the Modoc Plateau today.

Scenic ViewsViews of the surrounding juniper woodland, sagebrush, and Big Sage Reservoir.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no mention of any lodging options such as cabins or hotel-style accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping limit 14 days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable, as no reservations are required.

Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is entirely walk-up with no reservations required.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as reservations cannot be made.

Site SizeNo specific site size information provided.

PrivacyPrivacy levels of campsites are not mentioned.

Amenities available

Big Sage Campground offers a modest range of amenities centered around basic camping needs. The campground features restrooms and picnic tables, but lacks potable water. Visitors are advised to bring sufficient water for drinking, cooking, washing, and extinguishing campfires.

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities at Big Sage Campground include picnicking and fishing at the nearby reservoir. Hunting and shooting are also mentioned as potential activities, though details remain sparse.

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsDirty water in the reservoir as noted by users, rough roads around campsites, and dusty conditions. Potable water is unavailable.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.8

16 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Big Sage Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews indicate mixed sentiments regarding Big Sage Campground. While some appreciate its beauty, others find the environment bleak and dusty. The lake and roads are frequently criticized.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Some users have described the area as 'very beautiful' for camping.

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include dirty lake water, inability to swim, rough roads around campsites, and generally dusty conditions ('Just a really dusty place to try and spend the day').

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to bring sufficient water given the lack of potable water and to prepare for rough and dusty roads.

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground's usability may vary with seasons. Summer reviews highlight dust and rough roads, while winter weather data suggests very cold temperatures with freezing conditions.

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Dirty water, can't swim there.' - Daree Grier 2. 'Campground was OK, but the lake was pitiful.' - WH Hartmann 3. 'Very Beautiful Place to camp' - Jonnie Baslee.

Based on 16 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 16 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed as long as they are leashed. No further reviews about pet experiences are provided.

Based on 16 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Anglers and high-desert solitude seekers who bring all their own water and don't mind dusty roads will find fall the sweet spot here, with cooler temps, active fish, and almost no competition for sites.

Skip if

Families counting on lake swimming will leave disappointed. The reservoir water draws consistent complaints, and the rough, dusty roads and zero potable water make this a bad fit for anyone who packed light on supplies.

Nearby Campgrounds

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(6)

Reservoir C Campground

Reservoir C Campground, Modoc National Forest

Reservoir C Campground sits along the shoreline of a quiet lake in Modoc National Forest at 4,941 feet elevation. The campground offers tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. No potable water is available, and visitors must pack out all trash. A boat launch provides water access.

Tents

15.128 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Less Visited

0.0

(3)

Reservoir F Campground

Modoc National Forest

Reservoir F Campground sits along a mountain reservoir in Modoc National Forest at 4,977 feet elevation. The campground offers primitive tent sites beneath tall pines, with spacious spots close to the shoreline. It's a simple, quiet setup with a new toilet facility but no running water.

Tents

Primitive

20.425 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Less Visited

3.3

(8)

Cedar Pass Campground

Modoc National Forest

Cedar Pass Campground sits at 5,600 feet in Modoc National Forest, where white firs and ponderosa pines line a creek that runs through the property. The campground has been recently refurbished with new vault toilets, picnic tables, and graded sites. Visitors report having the place to themselves outside peak season.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.1

(46)

Howard's Gulch Campground

Modoc National Forest

Howard's Gulch Campground sits in a tree-lined gulch within Modoc National Forest at 4,600 feet elevation, offering 11 sites with picnic tables and grills for $15 per night. The small loop provides a peaceful retreat near Highway 139, with adequate spacing between sites and access to hiking and wildlife viewing. Reviews consistently praise its cleanliness and quiet atmosphere despite the nearby highway.

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Less Visited

4.0

(14)

Stough Reservoir Campground

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Stough Reservoir Campground sits at 6,200 feet in Modoc National Forest, a cool mountain alternative to the arid valleys below. Sites offer views of the reservoir while sitting back from the shoreline. At $15 per night, it accommodates both tents and small RVs, with first-come, first-served access. The campground doubles as Stop Number 4 on the Basin & Range Birding Trail.

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Less Visited

3.4

(8)

Jane's Reservoir Campground

Modoc National Forest

Jane's Reservoir Campground sits on the southeastern shore of a quiet reservoir in Modoc National Forest at 5,131 feet elevation. The campground loops around the water's edge with a dirt boat ramp near the entrance. Reviewers consistently describe it as peaceful and less frequented than other forest campgrounds, making it a solid choice for solitude seekers.

35.312 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Less Visited

3.9

(9)

Pepperdine Campground

Modoc National Forest

Pepperdine Campground sits at 6,800 feet at the gateway to South Warner Wilderness in Modoc National Forest, about 30 miles from Alturas. The 14-site campground divides into three sections: a dedicated equestrian camp with stock water and pole stalls, a trailhead staging area with parking and corrals, and a small family loop under old fir trees. Sites cost $15 per night. This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility with no potable water.

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Less Visited

3.9

(9)

Pepperdine Equestrian Campground

Modoc National Forest

Pepperdine Equestrian Campground sits at 6,831 feet in Modoc National Forest, just outside the South Warner Wilderness. All 12 sites include 12' x 12' metal corrals and shade, making this a dedicated horse camp where riders can access remote trails with minimal company. Sites run $15/night and the campground is typically open early July through October.

12 campsites

Reservable

35.27 km

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Less Visited

3.8

(23)

Lower Rush Creek Campground

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Lower Rush Creek Campground sits at 4,700 feet in Modoc National Forest, half a mile off pavement near Adin. The 10-site campground splits into two sections: a small loop for RVs (up to 22 feet) and tents, and walk-in sites closer to Rush Creek. There's no potable water or fee. Cedar and Ponderosa pine shade the sites, and the creek runs through the property.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

4.0

(15)

Lassen Creek Campground

Modoc National Forest

Lassen Creek Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Modoc National Forest, offering primitive tent camping with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. This very small campground draws visitors seeking remote wooded sites along a creek corridor where black bears and gray wolves pass through. The U.S. Forest Service maintains the site, and campers come for wildlife viewing, stargazing, and backcountry solitude.

Cottonwood Flat Campground

Modoc National Forest

Cottonwood Flat sits at 4,680 feet in Modoc National Forest with a handful of primitive sites near a meadow. Access is genuinely difficult. Unmaintained roads and poor signage make finding the campground a real challenge, and at least one visitor couldn't locate it at all. If you do find it, you'll have solitude and space.

Primitive

39.757 km

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

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Campgrounds

Modoc National Forest

Big Sage Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Big Sage Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Big Sage Reservoir and campground are surrounded by juniper woodland and sagebrush. The reservoir is several thousand acres and the campground lies on the shore near the boat ramp.</p>

Open Season: Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.