How much does camping cost at Stough Reservoir Campground?

Camping fees at Stough Reservoir Campground range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Stough Reservoir Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Stough Reservoir Campground 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.

What is the best time to visit Stough Reservoir Campground?

Stough Reservoir Campground is open null. 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 Stough Reservoir Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Stough Reservoir Campground?

Fire policies at Stough Reservoir Campground: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Stough Reservoir Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Stough Reservoir 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 Stough Reservoir Campground?

Stough Reservoir Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Stough Reservoir Campground?

Popular activities at Stough Reservoir Campground include Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Stough Reservoir Campground

4.00

14 reviews

null

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds California

Quick Facts

6,200 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Facilities open as w...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,200 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Facilities open as w...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Stough Reservoir Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site

Standard Site Fee$15.00

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

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Stough Reservoir Campground

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Nearby places

Alturas (approximately 18 miles, including the drive along Hwy 395 and Hwy 299), Cedarville (approximately 14 miles)

Nearby supplies

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Weather at Stough Reservoir Campground

Best Time to Camp at Stough Reservoir Campground

Summer brings the most reliable conditions. Expect daytime highs between 65 and 80°F, with nights dropping into the mid-30s to 50°F at this elevation. The season runs mid-May through late October, when facilities are fully operational and the reservoir is most accessible. Holiday weekends see moderate crowds, but the campground maintains a secluded feel. Winter closes the area down with freezing temperatures and snow.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers most reliable weather (65–80°F days) and relief from valley heat; peak season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.

About Stough Reservoir Campground

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.

Stough Reservoir Campground accommodates a range of camping preferences, from tent camping to small motorhomes and trailers.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable conditions. Expect daytime highs between 65 and 80°F, with nights dropping into the mid-30s to 50°F at this elevation. The season runs mid-May through late October, when facilities are fully operational and the reservoir is most accessible. Holiday weekends see moderate crowds, but the campground maintains a secluded feel. Winter closes the area down with freezing temperatures and snow.

ElevationPerched at 6,200 feet above sea level, Stough Reservoir Campground serves as nature's air conditioning system. While the valleys on either side bake under the summer sun, this elevated sanctuary maintains temperatures that are often 15-20 degrees cooler, creating an alpine microclimate where wildflowers bloom later, mornings arrive crisp and dewy, and afternoon shade provides genuine relief rather than mere respite.

Natural Features and SceneryThe reservoir anchors the landscape, though water levels fluctuate and can turn weedy at times. The campground occupies a transition zone where montane forest meets open water, creating habitat diversity that attracts Prairie Falcons, Rufous Hummingbirds, and Wild Turkeys. This perch in California's Basin and Range Province sits where multiple elevation-driven climate zones intersect. The backside sites look out toward distinctive rock formations. It's quiet enough here that the gobble of turkeys carries through the pines.

Geological RegionNestled within the diverse ecosystem of Modoc National Forest, this 6,200-foot perch occupies a unique position in California's Basin and Range Province. The dramatic topography creates natural climate zones that shift dramatically with elevation, making Stough Reservoir a cool mountain oasis when compared to the arid valleys below. As Stop Number 4 on the Basin & Range Birding Trail, the campground sits at the intersection of multiple habitats, where montane forests meet open water, creating the ecological diversity that draws both wildlife and those who seek to observe it.

Scenic ViewsMany campsites offer "nice views of the reservoir."

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging accommodations beyond campsites, such as cabins or lodges, are not mentioned in the source materials.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information is provided about cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

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Check-out

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Stay Limit

Camping limit 14 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 2 vehicles per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites sit away from the reservoir shore rather than directly on the water. Most accommodate small trailers and motorhomes, though some work better for tents or cab-over campers. Spacing varies, with certain sites offering more privacy than others.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation Policynull

Site SizeThe sites are noted as manageable for small trailers and motorhomes, with some sites better suited for tent camping or cab-over campers.

PrivacySites sit away from the reservoir shore, offering views of the water. User reviews also suggest that certain sites have a higher level of privacy, such as the 'backside' site mentioned for its private view.

Recommended SitesGet campsite on backside for a private view of the Bear kissing the Honeypot rock formation.

Best CampsitesReviews highlight the backside sites for privacy and views of rock formations. These tend to feel more secluded than the main loop.

Need help booking Stough Reservoir Campground?

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When to Book

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Amenities available

Stough Reservoir Campground is equipped with basic amenities including potable water, restrooms, and picnic tables. The campground is noted for its cleanliness, as stated in user reviews: "Bathrooms clean. Quiet and gorgeous!!". The campground also provides a natural setting for activities like birding, given its proximity to the Basin & Range Birding Trail.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Stough Reservoir Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Activities include fishing in the small but stocked reservoir, non-motorized boating, and bird watching along the Basin & Range Birding Trail. Wildlife is abundant, with reports of Prairie Falcons, Rufous Hummingbirds, Wild Turkeys, and even Ospreys snagging fish from the reservoir.

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Policies & Safety

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

14 reviews

Satisfactory

Stough Reservoir Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's quiet atmosphere, scenic views, and abundant wildlife. Common themes include the manageable access for trailers, clean restrooms, and the reservoir's low water levels at times.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praise the campground for its tranquility, cleanliness, and rich wildlife. One review states: 'Nice little quiet campground in a beautiful part of the Modoc National Forest.' Another mentions:...

Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

Some reviews mention low water levels in the reservoir, leading to dead fish and weedy conditions: 'The reservoir was really low so there was lots of dead fish.'

Based on 14 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

'Get campsite on backside for a private view of the Bear kissing the Honeypot 🍯🍯 rock formation.'

Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest choosing sites on the 'backside' for private views. The area is also suitable for bird watching, so bringing binoculars and a camera is recommended.

Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open from mid-May to late October. Winter visits reveal a frozen-over reservoir, described as 'beautiful.' Summer reviews mention the relief from valley heat due to the 6,200 ft...

Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Bathrooms clean. Quiet and gorgeous!!' 2. 'We lived our stay here! The reservoir was really low so there was lots of dead fish, but the water was so clear and the wildlife was abundant!' 3. 'Nice...

Based on 14 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility features.

Based on 14 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed. User reviews do not elaborate further on pet-specific experiences.

Based on 14 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Birders and anglers who want a genuinely quiet base in a lesser-visited corner of California. Grab a backside site for the rock formation view and bring binoculars for the ospreys working the reservoir. Small trailers fit fine.

Skip if

Late-season visits risk low water, weedy smells, and dead fish along the shore. No cell coverage, no hookups, and vault toilets only, so if basic means too basic, this 18-mile drive from Alturas won't feel worth it.

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Stough Reservoir Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

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

Overview

<p>Stough Reservoir Campground is only one mile off Hwy 299 on a gravel road.  At 6,200 feet it provides relief from the heat of the valleys on either side.  Small trailers and motorhomes will find access and turnarounds manageable.  The reservoir is small but is kept stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.  Water is provided and campsites sit away from the shore with nice views of the reservoir.</p><p>Stough Reservoir is Number 4 on the Basin & Range Birding Trail.  Bring you camera and binoculars and expect to see Prairie Falcons, Rufous Hummingbirds and Wild Turkeys.</p>

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