Dodge Reservoir Campground

5.00

6 reviews

Bureau of Land Management, Eagle Lake Field Office, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Peace & QuietStargazingSummer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping California

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

5,600 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Dodge Reservoir Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground operates on a donation basis, and there is no formal site fee.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

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

530-257-0456BLM_CA_Web_EL@blm.gov

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What Campers Say

5.00

Top-Rated

Based on 6 reviews

3 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

"Dodge Reservoir Campground is praised for its seclusion, natural beauty, and excellent stargazing conditions. Fishing and the peaceful setting are also highlights. However, the lack of potable water, trash collection, and advanced facilities are noted as drawbacks."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Bureau of Land Management, Eagle Lake Field Office, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Dodge Reservoir Campground

Bureau of Land Management, Eagle Lake Field Office, 2550 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Driving directionsFrom Susanville: Travel 54 miles north on Highway 395 to Ravendale, turn right on Lassen County Road 502 for 12 miles, turn right on County Road 506 for 11 miles, turn left and drive one mile to the campground. County Road 506 is an unimproved dirt road that can become impassable as a result of wet weather. The roads are passable by vehicles pulling trailers but can be rough and dusty.

County Road 506 is an unimproved dirt road that can become impassable due to wet weather. The road is passable by vehicles pulling trailers but may be rough and dusty. High-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Nearby places

Susanville: 54 miles, Ravendale: 17 miles

Nearby supplies

Due to the remote location, visitors should bring all needed supplies, including food, water, and camping essentials. The closest supply location is likely Susanville, 54 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Dodge Reservoir Campground

Time your visit for spring or early summer when the high desert comes alive with perfect camping weather and the reservoir brims with snowmelt from distant peaks. These golden months bring comfortable temperatures for exploring and the best fishing conditions as trout become active in the fuller waters. While winter blankets the area in heavy snow, transforming the landscape into a remote wonderland, access becomes challenging and the campground enters its quiet season of rest.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Summer is accessible and pleasant though prime fishing noted earlier in spring/early summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall likely comfortable and quiet; no specific fall events or foliage details provided.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.5 / 5

Top 7% in CA

Spring/early summer lauded: reservoir full from snowmelt and best season for trout fishing.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Heavy snowfall may hinder winter access; winter recreation not promoted.

Planning Tips

About Dodge Reservoir Campground

Tucked away in Nevada's high desert, Dodge Reservoir Campground offers a peaceful escape for those seeking solitude beneath endless skies. This hidden gem sits alongside a 480-acre reservoir that has been quenching the desert's thirst since 1937, when it first began serving local irrigation needs. Today, visitors find a rustic camping experience where sagebrush-scented winds whisper through scattered junipers and simple amenities keep the focus on nature's raw beauty. With picnic tables and a wheelchair-accessible vault toilet as your only companions to the basics, this is camping stripped down to its essence—no running water, no trash service, just you and the wide-open desert. Come prepared with all your supplies and a commitment to leave no trace in this pristine landscape.

Dodge Reservoir Campground offers primitive camping facilities suitable for tents. There are picnic tables at some sites but no advanced amenities like RV hookups or cabins.

Historical SignificanceThe story of Dodge Reservoir begins in 1937 when the enterprising Dodge Brothers transformed this desert valley into a lifeline for local agriculture. Their vision of capturing precious water in this arid landscape helped shape the region's farming heritage and created an oasis that continues to sustain both wildlife and human visitors today. This historic irrigation project stands as a testament to the determination of early settlers who saw potential in the challenging high desert terrain.

Weather and SeasonsTime your visit for spring or early summer when the high desert comes alive with perfect camping weather and the reservoir brims with snowmelt from distant peaks. These golden months bring comfortable temperatures for exploring and the best fishing conditions as trout become active in the fuller waters. While winter blankets the area in heavy snow, transforming the landscape into a remote wonderland, access becomes challenging and the campground enters its quiet season of rest.

ElevationPerched at 5,600 feet above sea level, the campground occupies that sweet spot of high desert elevation where the air is crisp, the stars shine brilliantly, and summer heat gives way to cool evenings perfect for campfire conversations.

Natural Features and SceneryHere in the high desert, nature paints with a subtle palette of sage greens and dusty browns, punctuated by the dark silhouettes of ancient junipers standing sentinel across rolling hills. The centerpiece is Dodge Reservoir itself, its waters reflecting the vast Nevada sky and harboring a thriving population of Rainbow Trout, Lahontan Cutthroat, and Brown Trout that draw anglers from across the region. At 5,600 feet, the landscape opens up in every direction, offering those expansive Western vistas that make you feel simultaneously small and free. Spring transforms the seemingly barren hills with wildflower surprises, while autumn brings golden light that turns the sagebrush into a photographer's dream.

Geological RegionThe campground rests in Nevada's distinctive high desert ecosystem, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a landscape of rolling sagebrush-covered hills dotted with resilient junipers. At 5,600 feet elevation, this terrain tells the story of millions of years of uplift and erosion, creating the perfect basin for the reservoir while surrounding it with the characteristic beauty of the Great Basin's unique topography.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Groups

No group camping sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Walk-in AvailabilityNo reservation system; sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

AccessibilityThe campground includes a wheelchair-accessible vault toilet, but no further information on other accessibility features is provided.

Site SizeThe size of the campsites is not specified in the available data.

PrivacyThe campground is described as secluded, which may suggest a reasonable level of privacy at individual sites.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring plenty of water, food, and lights. Bug spray is recommended for comfort.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Dodge Reservoir Campground offers opportunities for fishing and hiking in a serene, high desert setting. The reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and Brown Trout, making it popular in the spring and early summer when water levels are highest. Stargazing is another highlight, with one review calling it "perfect for stargazing!"

HikingHiking opportunities are available in the surrounding high desert landscape, but no specific trails or difficulty levels are mentioned.

FishingThe reservoir is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, and Brown Trout by the California Department of Fish and Game. Spring and early summer are considered the prime fishing seasons due to high water levels.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUnimproved dirt roads may become impassable during wet weather. The remote location requires visitors to bring sufficient supplies, including extra water and food.

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

Weather at Dodge Reservoir Campground

Reviews

5.0

6 reviews

Top-Rated

Dodge Reservoir Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Dodge Reservoir Campground is praised for its seclusion, natural beauty, and excellent stargazing conditions. Fishing and the peaceful setting are also highlights. However, the lack of potable water, trash collection, and advanced facilities are noted as drawbacks.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the secluded and peaceful atmosphere, excellent stargazing opportunities, and good fishing. "Beautiful secluded campground, perfect for stargazing!" says one user.

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of basic amenities such as potable water and trash collection. Roads leading to the campground are described as rough and dusty, and can become impassable when wet.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring sufficient water, food, and extra supplies, as there are no on-site provisions. High clearance vehicles are recommended due to road conditions. Carry out all waste as there are no trash...

Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and early summer are considered the best times for fishing due to high water levels. Winter accessibility may be hindered by heavy snowfall.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bring all the food and water you will need + extra," "Make sure you come during new moon to see the most stars," "The lake is stocked with trout, and there is plenty of opportunities for hiking."

Based on 6 reviews