Go if
Fall weekday campers with a high-clearance 4x4, a kayak or fishing rod, and no expectation of facilities. Sites further down the trail trade proximity for quiet, and the lake fishing holds well into early October.
Price
Free
Booking
Reservable
Sites
13 campsites
Season
By reservation only ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
Reservable
Sites
13 campsites
Season
By reservation only ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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39.6694, -120.6650
Fall weekday campers with a high-clearance 4x4, a kayak or fishing rod, and no expectation of facilities. Sites further down the trail trade proximity for quiet, and the lake fishing holds well into early October.
No restrooms is a hard stop for many, bring a WAG bag or stay elsewhere. Weekend nights have drawn loud parties and trash; if a quiet shoreline matters more than a wild one, the main Gold Lake Campground is a shorter drive away.
Reference information about Gold Lake 4x4 Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><strong>***Note - Starting June 14 and for the 2024 recreation season, reservations are required and must be made no less than 3 days in advance. Please visit <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10309566">Recreation.gov</a> to make a reservation or call 1-877-444-6777. There is an $8 service charge for online reservations, a $9 service charge for phone reservations. </strong></p><p><strong>Additionally, there are no restroom facilities. Visitors are also expected to be responsible for human waste disposal when recreating at this site, bringing and using approved systems. This includes waste kits and Waste Alleviation and Gelling (WAG) bags that contain a drying agent, can be sealed and disposed of in a dumpster or trash at home. These systems can be purchased at a variety outdoor stores and online.</strong></p><p>The Gold Lake 4x4 Campground is located at 6,400' elevation on the southwest end of Gold Lake. The remote, primitive campground is located approximately 1.5 miles from Gold Lake Campground along a boulder strewn off-highway vehicle road, or by boat. </p><p>It includes 13 reservable rustic campsites suited for those craving some solitude and access to some great backcountry 4X4 roads. Campsites include picnic tables, food locker, fire ring and parking. Several sites are next to the lake. Some people confuse this campground with the Gold Lake Campground which is located at the southeast end the Gold Lake. </p>
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Fall brings the best conditions: daytime highs in the upper 40s to mid-60s°F, nights in the 20s–30s°F, and far fewer people. Fishing and boating stay good through early October. The off-road approach is stable and dust-free. Summer sees afternoon thunderstorms roll through. Winter snow makes the campground inaccessible. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, though crowds stay lower year-round due to the access challenge.
Overview: 'Fall brings the best conditions' with cooler temps and fewer people; fishing stays good.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Gold Lake 4x4 Campground is a remote and primitive campsite located in Plumas National Forest at an elevation of 6,400 feet. It features 13 reservable rustic campsites that include picnic tables, food lockers, fire rings, and parking spaces. The campground is accessible by a rugged, boulder-strewn 4x4 road or by boat, emphasizing the need for high clearance vehicles for road access. Official sources confirm that potable water is not available on-site, and visitors must bring approved waste disposal systems since there are no restroom facilities at the campground. The site does not charge fees but requires reservations no less than three days in advance, with an $8 online service charge or $9 for phone reservations via Recreation.gov.
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