How much does camping cost at Big Reservoir Campground?

Camping fees at Big Reservoir Campground are $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

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

Big Reservoir Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Big Reservoir Campground before I book?

Yes! Big Reservoir Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Big Reservoir Campground?

Big Reservoir Campground is open May 23 to September 30. 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 Reservoir Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at Big Reservoir Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Big Reservoir Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Big Reservoir Campground?

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

Big Reservoir Campground

2.78

39 reviews

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

Price

$24/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$24/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Big Reservoir Campground

$24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric Tent or RV: $24.00; Tent site only: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

530-367- 2129

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Big Reservoir Campground

39.1437, -120.7553

Nearby places

Sugar Pine Reservoir — 9 miles (nearby recreational feature)

Morning Star Campground — adjacent (not a city).

Weather at Big Reservoir Campground

Current alerts(1)

Big Reservoir Campground is adjacent to a privately operated lake and associated Morning Star Campground consisting of an additional 100 campsites.

Best Time to Camp at Big Reservoir Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of warm water, long daylight, and the widest range of on-lake activities—expect daytime temperatures roughly 75–95°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s. Swimming, boating, and shore fishing are at their peak, and the private lake access (with the $25 Morning Star fee) makes it easy to launch boats and swim right from camp. Weekends can be moderately busy, so expect more boat traffic and reserve early for July–August stays. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is listed as best season; warm water, long days, and full on-lake activities available.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Big Reservoir Campground

Big Reservoir Campground sits in California's high country, offering budget-friendly seasonal camping with private lake access during peak summer months. Operated with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables, the campground caters to families and anglers who want lakeside recreation without resort pricing. Campers swim, boat, and fish directly from the shoreline, taking advantage of warm water and long daylight hours.

Big Reservoir Campground contains individual campsites; the facility is adjacent to Morning Star Campground which provides an additional 100 campsites. Specific campsite classifications (tent, RV, primitive, group, cabin, glamping) are not stated.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of warm water, long daylight, and the widest range of on-lake activities—expect daytime temperatures roughly 75–95°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s. Swimming, boating, and shore fishing are at their peak, and the private lake access (with the $25 Morning Star fee) makes it easy to launch boats and swim right from camp. Weekends can be moderately busy, so expect more boat traffic and reserve early for July–August stays. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders a private lake used for swimming, boating, and fishing. Sugar Pine Reservoir sits nine miles away with additional boat launches and swimming beaches. The Sugar Pine OHV staging area nearby provides access to off-highway vehicle trails through forested backcountry.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsFor facility-specific information contact the campground office at (530) 346-3028.

Recommended SitesContact the adjacent Morning Star Campground Office for lake access and supplies. Camp supplies like firewood are available at the adjacent Morning Star Campground Office.

Amenities available

Big Reservoir Campground provides basic campground amenities including drinking water, vault toilets, and campsite furnishings. Each campsite includes one picnic table and one fire ring with a cooking grille; camp supplies such as firewood are available at the adjacent Morning Star Campground Office.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at Big Reservoir Campground

The campground is adjacent to a privately operated lake and the Morning Star Campground (100 additional campsites), and is near Sugar Pine OHV staging area and Sugar Pine Reservoir. Use of the privately operated lake and associated Morning Star facilities requires a $25.00 fee (contact the campground office at (530) 346-3028).

Swimming4.0/5Top 21% in California

Private lake access during summer and swimming at Sugar Pine Reservoir (9 miles) noted as key summer activity.

Water Sports3.5/5

Small private lake and Sugar Pine Reservoir support paddling/boating activities.

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5High-country, lakeside setting implies good night skies, though light-pollution data not provided.

Photography3.5/5Lakeshore, reservoir and forested landscapes give decent photo ops; specific vistas not described.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

2.8

39 reviews

Mixed Reviews

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

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

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Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Big Reservoir Campground

$24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric Tent or RV: $24.00; Tent site only: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-367- 2129

Nearby Campgrounds

22830 Foresthill Road, Foresthill, CA 95631, USA

Forbes Creek sits in the Tahoe National Forest foothills near Foresthill, offering direct access to 160-acre Sugar Pine Reservoir. This very small campground operated by the Forest Service caters to tent campers, RVs, and groups seeking swimming, boating, fishing, and trail access during the peak summer season. Sites are spacious with multiple picnic tables and large communal fire pits.