Patterson Guard Station

Star0.15
6 reviews
Patterson Guard Station, 225 W 8th St., Alturas, CA 96101

Quick Facts

7,080 ft

Price

$15 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Open and reservable ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Modoc National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Patterson Guard Station
$15.00 - $75.00 / night
Campsite Fees
$15/night for campsites and $75/night for the cabin. Additional reservation fees may apply, such as $8 for online bookings.
Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
530-233-5811sm.fs.modoc_info@usda.gov
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What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

Most mentioned

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"The campground has no available user reviews, making it difficult to gauge visitor sentiment or experiences."

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Campground Map

Patterson Guard Station, 225 W 8th St., Alturas, CA 96101

Patterson Guard Station

Patterson Guard Station, 225 W 8th St., Alturas, CA 96101

Driving directionsFrom Alturas, California, travel South on U.S. Highway 395 for 18 miles to the town of Likely and turn left (East) onto County Rd 64. Continue for 9 miles toward Jess Valley and stay right at the fork toward Blue Lake (Blue Lake Road). This road is not maintained for winter travel. The pavement ends in approximately 6.5 miles, and the road becomes Forest Road 39N01 (South Warner Road). Continue 7.5 miles and turn left (North) at the sign for Patterson Campground (Forest Road 39N28), stay left to reach Patterson Guard Station.
Road conditions vary; pavement ends 6.5 miles into the route, and the remaining stretch becomes unpaved Forest Road 39N01. This road is not winter-maintained, making access potentially challenging during snowy conditions.
Nearby places
Likely, CA (9 miles, approx. 15 minutes)
Cedarville, CA (31 miles, approx. 45 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Likely, CA (9 miles) has basic services
Cedarville, CA (31 miles) offers restaurants, a grocery store, and shopping.

Best Time to Camp at Patterson Guard Station

The high country climate creates a perfect summer escape, with crystalline blue skies and refreshingly moderate temperatures that offer relief from valley heat. As autumn arrives, the weather becomes delightfully unpredictable, painting the aspens gold one day and dusting the peaks with early snow the next. Winter transforms the landscape into a pristine wonderland, though deep snows close access roads, giving the mountains their well-deserved rest. Spring emerges with dramatic flair, as warming days alternate with surprise storms, creating an ever-changing alpine theater.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open Jul 1-Oct 31; high-country summer offers moderate temps and clear skies.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Aspens shimmer gold in autumn; site remains open into October for fall color.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Closed outside Jul 1 - Oct 31; spring season not available.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Facility is closed outside Jul 1 - Oct 31; winter visits not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: July 1 - October 31.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open and reservable July 1 - October 31. Closed outside of these dates.

About Patterson Guard Station

Step back in time at Patterson Guard Station, where a meticulously restored 1921 cabin stands as a testament to the early days of forest protection in Modoc National Forest. This charming historic retreat offers visitors a choice between the authentic rustic experience of staying in the original guard station cabin or setting up camp at one of six thoughtfully developed campsites nestled among the pines. Here, modern adventurers can experience the same sweeping mountain vistas that greeted forest rangers a century ago.
The Patterson Guard Station offers a historic and rustic cabin experience, with nearby developed campsites at the adjacent Patterson Campground.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11am
Stay Limit
  • Maximum of 7 consecutive nights
  • maximum stay of 14 nights total per season.

Amenities available

Firewood available
Lodging and accommodations
Vault toilets
Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

The Patterson Guard Station provides access to a range of outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding, boating, and star gazing. The nearby South Warner Wilderness offers trails for solitude and exploration, while Blue Lake, 9 miles away, has facilities for boating and fishing.
HikingVisitors can hike the Summit Trail, which is located just a few footsteps from the guard station. The South Warner Wilderness, one-quarter mile away, offers a variety of trails with wild landscapes. Motorized equipment is not permitted in the wilderness area.
FishingFishing is available at Blue Lake, 9 miles west of the guard station. The lake features a fishing platform and supports motorized and non-motorized boats, though a 10 mph speed limit is enforced.
BoatingBlue Lake, located 9 miles west, provides a boat ramp and dock for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Visitors are encouraged to follow the California Invasive Species Prevention Program to keep the lake clean.
Wildlife viewingThe area surrounding the guard station is rich in natural features, including Aspen, Fir, and Pine trees, which attract diverse wildlife. Visitors may observe local flora and fauna during their stay.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRemote location—no potable water on-site, potential for wildlife encounters, and unmaintained winter roads.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Patterson Guard Station

Reviews

0.2
6 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Patterson Guard Station has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
The campground has no available user reviews, making it difficult to gauge visitor sentiment or experiences.
Review Summaries
Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

No positive highlights have been provided due to a lack of user reviews.
Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

There are no common complaints listed, as no user reviews are available.
Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user-provided tips or recommendations are available.
Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

There is no data on seasonal trends in user reviews.
Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

No direct user quotes are available for this campground.
Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews have been provided for specific sites within the campground.
Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

No accessibility-specific reviews are available.
Based on 6 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

There are no user reviews related to pet policies or experiences with pets.
Based on 6 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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