Christie Campground

4.22

109 reviews

477-050 Eagle Lake Road, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

FishingSummer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping California

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

$28 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

69 campsites

Season

Open May 15 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Lassen National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

$28 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

69 campsites

Season

Open May 15 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Lassen National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Christie Campground

$28.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees range from $28 for standard non-electric and RV sites to $50 for group sites. An additional fee of $5 is required for RV dumping at a station...

Standard Site Fee$28.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$50.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-825-3454

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What Campers Say

4.22

Satisfactory

Based on 109 reviews

40 Google reviews

Most mentioned

watersites

Some mention

noise

"Reviews highlight a peaceful and well-maintained experience at Christie Campground. Positive feedback focuses on the serenity, cleanliness, and amenities such as flush toilets and potable water. Common complaints include noise during holiday weekends, muddy lake shores, and non-enforcement of quiet hours."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

477-050 Eagle Lake Road, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Christie Campground

477-050 Eagle Lake Road, Susanville, CA, 96130, USA

Driving directionsFrom Susanville, California, take Highway 36 west for 2 miles to County Road A-1. Turn north and continue 14 miles to the Eagle Lake Recreation Area. Continue past Gallatin Road, the first highway you will come to in the lake basin, and follow the signs to Christie Campground. Located on County Road A-1, 2 miles north of Merrill Campground.

Road access is via County Road A-1 with no mention of seasonal closures or terrain challenges. The road appears manageable for all vehicle types.

Nearby places

Susanville, CA (approximately 16 miles, 25-minute drive)

Nearby supplies

Eagle Lake Marina store (approximately 5 miles away) offers gas, propane, fishing and camping supplies, as well as shower and laundry facilities. Additional supplies are available in Susanville, CA, about 16 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Christie Campground

Summer at Christie Campground unfolds with warm, sun-drenched days perfect for lake activities, though Mother Nature often punctuates afternoons with dramatic thunderstorms that roll across the mountain landscape. As daylight fades, the elevation works its magic, transforming hot afternoons into refreshingly cool evenings ideal for campfire gatherings. Pack your insect repellent for those magical dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes join the symphony of nature, particularly active during the warmer months when they dance in the golden light filtering through the pines.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season May 15–Sept 2: warm lake days and popular activities, but afternoon thunderstorms and holiday noise.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Likely quieter shoulder season with pleasant conditions; limited specific review data on fall visitation.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Shoulder-season access but reports of muddy shorelines and fluctuating water levels in spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Reservations closed in winter; limited services and not a winter recreation hub at 5,100 ft.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 - September 2. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 15 to September 2 for reservations; other times are first-come, first-served with no advanced booking.
Current Alerts: Seasonal fire restrictions may be imposed. No current alerts were mentioned.

About Christie Campground

Nestled along the southwestern shores of Eagle Lake, Christie Campground emerges as a hidden gem within Lassen National Forest's Eagle Lake Recreation Area. This peaceful retreat beckons those seeking respite from crowded campgrounds, offering an impressive 69 sites spread generously through towering conifers. With 47 sites available for reservation and 22 welcoming spontaneous adventurers on a first-come, first-served basis, Christie accommodates every camping style from luxurious RVs to cozy tents. Adventure extends beyond your campsite via the scenic 5.2-mile paved bike trail that winds through the forest, connecting you to neighboring facilities and endless exploration opportunities.

Christie Campground offers diverse accommodations, including spaces for RVs, tents, and group camping. Sites are available both for reservation and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Historical SignificanceWhile Christie Campground's recorded history may be modest, the land whispers ancient stories through its towering pines and the timeless waters of Eagle Lake. This pristine corner of Lassen National Forest continues to write new chapters with each visitor who finds solace beneath its canopy.

Weather and SeasonsSummer at Christie Campground unfolds with warm, sun-drenched days perfect for lake activities, though Mother Nature often punctuates afternoons with dramatic thunderstorms that roll across the mountain landscape. As daylight fades, the elevation works its magic, transforming hot afternoons into refreshingly cool evenings ideal for campfire gatherings. Pack your insect repellent for those magical dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes join the symphony of nature, particularly active during the warmer months when they dance in the golden light filtering through the pines.

ElevationPerched at 5,100 feet above sea level, Christie Campground offers a natural air conditioning system that provides welcome relief from valley heat. This mile-high setting creates an invigorating atmosphere where the air feels crisp and clean, though newcomers to the elevation might notice their hearts working a bit harder during hikes or bike rides. The altitude gifts campers with spectacular star-filled nights and refreshingly cool mornings that call for that extra layer around the campfire.

Natural Features and SceneryChristie Campground immerses visitors in a cathedral of mature pines and firs that tower overhead, their branches creating a natural tapestry of shade and filtered sunlight. From this forested sanctuary on Eagle Lake's southwestern shore, the landscape reveals its remarkable diversity - where the rugged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges give way to the expansive vistas of high desert. This unique positioning creates a visual feast that shifts from dense mountain forests to open skies, offering photographers and nature lovers an ever-changing canvas of California's most dramatic terrain.

Geological RegionChristie Campground sits at one of California's most fascinating geological crossroads, where the granite spires of the Sierra Nevada meet the volcanic legacy of the Cascade Range before yielding to the vast Great Basin. This convergence of three distinct geological provinces creates a landscape of extraordinary diversity, where ancient volcanic activity has sculpted the terrain alongside glacial forces. The mature conifer forests that shelter the campground tell the story of this unique geography, thriving in the volcanic soils and benefiting from the complex weather patterns created by this meeting of mountains and desert.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in begins at 2 PM.

Check-out

Check-out is at 12 PM.

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Specific guest limits are not outlined, but group sites are spacious and can accommodate multiple vehicles.

Groups

Group sites are spacious, accommodating up to several vehicles, including large RVs. For example, one group site allowed parking for a 30-ft trailer, two trucks, and a car. Overflow parking is available for $10 per night.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground is divided into loops, with a mix of pull-through and back-in sites. Group sites are larger and can accommodate multiple vehicles.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in Availability22 sites are designated as walk-in, available on a first-come, first-served basis. These tend to fill quickly according to user reviews.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations are permitted with a $10 fee. Late cancellations (less than 24 hours for individual sites) incur additional penalties, including forfeiture of the first night’s fee.

AccessibilityAccessibility details are not explicitly mentioned. However, the paved bike/hike trail suggests some accessible pathways.

Site SizeSite sizes vary, with group sites accommodating larger RVs and vehicles. One review noted that a group site could fit a 30-ft travel trailer, two trucks, and other vehicles.

PrivacyMost sites offer reasonable spacing and privacy. "Most of the spaces had reasonable spacing between neighbors," mentioned a reviewer. Group sites offer additional space and privacy.

Total Campsites69 campsites

Recommended SitesGroup sites are ideal for large parties with bigger vehicles. Sites #24 and #33 offer good space for vehicles and are close to facilities.

Amenities available

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

Christie Campground provides access to a variety of recreational activities. Fishing is a significant draw as Eagle Lake is home to the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout. Other activities include kayaking, swimming, biking, hiking, and birdwatching. The 5.2-mile paved trail connected to the campground is a highlight for bikers and joggers. "Lots of birdwatching to be had, Stellar Jays, a Western Tanager, white pelicans, and a couple of eagles," shared one camper.

HikingA paved 5.2-mile hiking and biking trail runs from the campground to the marina and other campgrounds. The trail is mostly flat and accessible for all skill levels.

FishingFishing for Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout is a primary activity. The lake is known for this unique species, making it a destination for anglers.

SwimmingSwimming access is available but less ideal near the campground. Gallatin Beach, accessible from the marina area, is recommended for swimming. One reviewer noted, "The lake doesn’t have any good shoreline; a good fishing lake from a boat but not a good shoreline lake."

BikingA paved 5.2-mile bike trail connects the campground to the marina and other recreational facilities. It is suitable for both casual and experienced bikers.

BoatingThe lake accommodates various boating activities, including motorized and non-motorized boats. There are no restrictions on 2-cycle outboard boat motors or personal watercraft.

Wildlife viewingCampers frequently sight birds and other wildlife. Species such as Stellar Jays, Western Tanager, white pelicans, and eagles are often observed.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe lake may have blue-green algae and mud in some areas, potentially harmful to pets. Wildlife such as Stellar Jays, eagles, and other birds are commonly observed.

Active AlertsSeasonal fire restrictions may be imposed. No current alerts were mentioned.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed in the provided fire pits unless fire restrictions are imposed due to dry conditions.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are from 10 PM to 8 AM.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are located in Susanville, CA, approximately 16 miles from the campground.

Trash & RecyclingTrash receptacles are located throughout the campground. Specific recycling information is not provided.

Water FeaturesThe campground is located 0.25 miles from the lake, with trails leading to the shoreline. The lake shore is muddy in places and affected by fluctuating water levels.

Camp HostHosts Mary and Diane were frequently praised for their friendliness and proactive maintenance of the campground.

Weather at Christie Campground

Reviews

4.2

109 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviews highlight a peaceful and well-maintained experience at Christie Campground. Positive feedback focuses on the serenity, cleanliness, and amenities such as flush toilets and potable water. Common complaints include noise during holiday weekends, muddy lake shores, and non-enforcement of quiet hours.

Review Summaries

Based on 109 reviews

What Campers Love

"Wonderful campground with the best host Mary and Dianne... Highly recommended. Beyond 5 stars." "Flush toilets, cold (yummy!) running water, [and] well-spaced campsites." Users also praised the bike...

Based on 109 reviews

Common Concerns

Noise levels during holiday weekends, muddy and algae-filled lake conditions, and inconsistent enforcement of quiet hours. A few reviews mentioned racial bias from other campers.

Based on 109 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Carry rain tarps during thunderstorms, as afternoon showers can be intense. Bring bikes for the paved trail. Avoid swimming in algae-filled areas of the lake, and rinse off pets to prevent rashes.

Based on 109 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular, with varying noise and weather conditions. Thunderstorms are common in July afternoons, but they cool the temperature significantly. "Even during high danger fire season we...

Based on 109 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The lake was a short walk... The shore was pretty muddy and gross." "The paths are well marked, some are paved and easy to walk or ride a bike on."

Based on 109 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #24 is noted for its proximity to the restroom and spaciousness. Site #18 in the TROY loop is described as fantastic, while site #19 required minimal leveling and had access to clean facilities....

Based on 109 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility details are limited, but the paved bike path suggests easy navigation for certain disabilities.

Based on 109 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Mixed reviews: Many visitors appreciated the pet-friendly environment but raised concerns about off-leash dogs. "My dog swam in the lake and ended up getting a rash."

Based on 109 reviews

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