Carr Lake Campground

Star4.30
60 reviews
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Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

6,663 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

May 27 - October 15

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

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Carr Lake Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Overnight Use: $15 per night for a single campsite. Payments are accepted via cash or check. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a...
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Standard Site Fee$15.00
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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What Campers Say

4.30

Satisfactory

Based on 60 reviews

52 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sceneryquietpeacefullake

Some mention

cell service

"User reviews emphasize the campground's rugged beauty and its appeal to hikers and backpackers. Many highlight the rough road conditions leading to the site, the lack of water and cell service, and the need to pack out all trash. Positive aspects include the serene environment, proximity to alpine lakes, and the opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing."

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Campground Map

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Carr Lake Campground

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Driving directionsFrom Nevada City: Take Hwy 20 headed east toward Truckee for approximately 20 miles. Make a left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). Stay on that road (windy, with tight corners and narrow spots, but paved) for approximately 6 miles and turn right on Forest Road 17, an unimproved dirt road (not recommended for low vehicles). Stay to the right for 3 miles, until reaching the parking area. From I-80: Take Hwy 20 exit and follow Hwy 20 headed west for approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18). Stay on that road (windy, with tight corners and narrow spots, but paved) for approximately 6 miles and turn right on Forest Road 17, an unimproved dirt road (not recommended for low vehicles). Stay to the right for 3 miles, until reaching the parking area.
"Rough road for last 3 miles." User reviews consistently mention the "extremely rocky" and "unpaved" road conditions, with multiple warnings about needing AWD or 4x4 capability. Vehicles with low clearance risk damage. During spring or early season, heavy snow and rocks may render the road "impossible for low-clearance vehicles."
Nearby places
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Nearby supplies
User reviews emphasize that there is "no store for miles" and advise campers to bring a "full gas tank, check tires, and carry plenty of water." Supplies must be planned in advance or sourced from distant towns.

Best Time to Camp at Carr Lake Campground

Experience the full spectrum of mountain weather at Carr Lake, where summer brings the perfect balance of warm, sun-drenched days and refreshingly cool evenings under star-filled skies. As autumn arrives, crisp October mornings greet campers with temperatures hovering around 40°F, warming to a comfortable 60°F by afternoon—ideal sweater weather for hiking. Be prepared for nature's surprises, as snow can dust the landscape unexpectedly in early spring, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in CA

Summer offers warm days, cool evenings and full access; many positive summer reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Open into mid-Oct but nights can be chilly (≈40°F); good shoulder-season solitude.

Spring(Mar-May)
2.0 / 5

Opens May 27; much of spring is closed or snow-affected; late-spring access limited.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed mid-Oct to late May; not available for winter camping.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: May 27 - October 15
  • Current Alerts: "Opening & closing dates subject to change."

About Carr Lake Campground

Escape to Carr Lake Campground, where a rewarding short hike leads you to 11 pristine campsites nestled along the shores of a stunning alpine lake. Operated by PG&E, this hidden gem serves as your gateway to the breathtaking Grouse Lakes Area, where countless trails beckon day hikers and backpackers to explore a wonderland of crystal-clear mountain lakes and dramatic peaks.
Carr Lake Campground caters to a range of campers with options for tent camping and primitive sites. It is a hike-in campground, with varying distances from parking to campsites.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 p.m.
Check-out
12:00 p.m.
Stay Limit
Null

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Carr Lake Campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. The campground is especially popular for its hiking opportunities, with easy access to alpine lakes and trails suitable for both day hikes and overnight backpacking.
HikingNumerous day hikes and backpacking opportunities are available, with trails leading to pristine alpine lakes in the Grouse Lakes Area. Jessa L. highlights that "you can do a mellow 3/4 mi hike to some beautiful lakes or you can get a good hike in to more isolated spots." Additionally, Brittany Walker notes "lots of greenery and wildflowers" and recommends downloading maps due to lack of service.
FishingFishing is allowed, though shore access can be challenging. Daniel Ortloff mentioned, "Shore access could be better, in fact it's extremely poor." Several reviews note the presence of fish, including baby catfish.
SwimmingSwimming opportunities are available in Carr Lake, with Brittany Walker noting that dogs enjoy playing in the water.
BoatingNon-motorized boating is supported, but there is no boat launch facility at the campground.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"Rough road for last 3 miles," lack of cell service, and risks for low-clearance vehicles are major concerns. Wildlife hazards, including proper food storage and human waste handling, are flagged by some reviewers.
Active Alerts"Opening & closing dates subject to change."
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Carr Lake Campground

Reviews

4.3
60 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Carr Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews emphasize the campground's rugged beauty and its appeal to hikers and backpackers. Many highlight the rough road conditions leading to the site, the lack of water and cell service, and the need to pack out all trash. Positive aspects include the serene environment, proximity to alpine lakes, and the opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
Review Summaries
Based on 60 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and access to nearby lakes and trails. Brittany Walker described the area as "surprisingly quiet" with "lots of greenery and...
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Based on 60 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the rough three-mile dirt road to the campground, lack of potable water, and absence of cell service. Yeala Shin noted, "Rough three miles of unpaved road to get here," and...
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Based on 60 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several users recommend traveling with a high-clearance or AWD vehicle due to road conditions. Brittany Walker advises downloading maps beforehand and ensuring a full gas tank. Others suggest...
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Based on 60 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open from late May to mid-October. Reviews mention it can be chilly in the shoulder seasons, with Ryan Hays noting temperatures of 40°F at night in October. Summer reviews highlight...
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Based on 60 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms were about as good as it gets for a Campground." - Laurence Clark. "Please don't drive out here with 2 wheel drive. The road is extremely rough." - Jessa L. "Make sure you have a full gas...
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Based on 60 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites 1-4 are closest to the parking lot, while sites 9-11 are farther away and near the vault toilets. Site 10 is approximately 0.3 miles from the parking area, as described by Yeala Shin.
Based on 60 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in user reviews.
Based on 60 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is pet-friendly, and many reviewers noted that dogs enjoyed the trails and water. Brittany Walker mentioned, "Lots of people had dogs on leash and some off, but all dogs and people...
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Based on 60 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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