How much does camping cost at Pass Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Pass Creek Campground range from $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Pass Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Pass Creek Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pass Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Pass Creek Campground has 8 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. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Pass Creek Campground?

Pass Creek Campground is open July 04 to October 12. 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 Pass Creek Campground?

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

How many campsites does Pass Creek Campground have?

Pass Creek Campground has 28 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Pass Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pass Creek Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Pass Creek Campground?

Pass Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pass Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Pass Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pass Creek Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Pass Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Pass Creek Campground: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Sierraville Ranger District (530) 994-3401 (voice), (530) 994-3521 (TDD).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.22

84 reviews

317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Scenic ViewsSwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Beach Camping California

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,200 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from August 1 t...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Nevada Irrigation District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,200 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from August 1 t...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Nevada Irrigation District Official Website

Get Directions

Pass Creek Campground

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid 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

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-265-8861

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Pass Creek Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Pass Creek Campground

317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA 96126, USA

Nearby places

Truckee: 35 miles (~1-hour drive), Sierraville: 17 miles (~30-minute drive)

Weather at Pass Creek Campground

Current alerts(9)

6 people and 2 dogs maximum per single site. Dogs shall always be kept on leash no longer than six feet or otherwise confined. Violation notices WILL be issued for non-compliance.
Bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers.
Campsite check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm.
Click here for more information on the Tahoe National Forest.

Best Time to Camp at Pass Creek Campground

Best season: summer. Summer provides the best access to Jackson Meadow Reservoir and the full range of activities — boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and mountain biking — with all campground facilities open. Expect cool mountain days (often 50s–60s°F on pleasant afternoons) and chilly mornings; campground guidance notes average daytime temperatures around 43°F and nights near 28°F at 6,200 ft, so bring warm layers for dawn/evening. Weekends in August see the highest demand, while weekday stays and September offer Peak months: August, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season for boating, swimming and water sports; pleasant afternoons but can be crowded.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: July 04 to October 12. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from August 1 to October 12, annually.

About Pass Creek Campground

Pass Creek Campground sits in Tahoe National Forest near Sierraville, operated by Nevada Irrigation District at mid-elevation with access to Jackson Meadow Reservoir. The small campground offers tent and RV sites with flush and vault toilets, a dump station, and potable water. Visitors come for reservoir recreation including boating, fishing, and swimming, plus nearby hiking and mountain biking trails.

Pass Creek Campground offers options for both tent camping and RV camping. Group camping and cabin lodging are not explicitly mentioned.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer provides the best access to Jackson Meadow Reservoir and the full range of activities — boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and mountain biking — with all campground facilities open. Expect cool mountain days (often 50s–60s°F on pleasant afternoons) and chilly mornings; campground guidance notes average daytime temperatures around 43°F and nights near 28°F at 6,200 ft, so bring warm layers for dawn/evening. Weekends in August see the highest demand, while weekday stays and September offer Peak months: August, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation6200 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies rolling terrain beneath pines and firs, with views of the Sierra Crest ridge line and English Mountain. Jackson Meadow Reservoir spreads out from the shoreline, reflecting the surrounding peaks. The forest canopy provides varying amounts of shade across sites, though coverage isn't uniform throughout the campground.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging is available. The campground caters to tent and RV campers.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum 14 nights per reservation.

Guests Allowed Per Site

6people and 2 dogs maximum per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground includes paved parking pads and relatively short distances from campsites to water spigots, which may aid accessibility. Specific mention of wheelchair-friendly amenities is not provided.

Site SizeSites vary in size; some can accommodate larger RVs and trailers, while others are smaller and more suited for tents. Adams T. noted, "We stayed at site 2. For our 28-foot Coleman bunkhouse just fine. A little on the narrow side. Couldn't use the awning.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary across sites. Several user reviews mention that campsites are spaced decently but not overly private, and some are close together. Pete Smith commented, "the campsites are too close together and too many for this relatively small lake.

Total Campsites28 campsites

Recommended SitesSites 20 and 22 are unsuitable for trailers due to limited space. Site 21 is backward-configured and difficult for trailer parking.

Best CampsitesSites 12 and 21 offer good shade, though site 21 lacks flat ground for tents. Site 2 fits a 28-foot trailer but runs narrow, making awning use difficult.

Need help booking Pass Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Pass Creek Campground offers amenities such as picnic tables, campfire rings, flush and vault toilets, drinking water, and trash collection facilities. Each site is equipped with basic camping necessities, making it a convenient location for campers. "The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Flushing and Vault toilets and drinking water are provided."

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors to Pass Creek Campground can enjoy a variety of recreational activities including boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The nearby Jackson Meadow Reservoir is particularly popular for water sports. "Jackson Meadow Reservoir offers excellent opportunities for boating, canoeing, water skiing, swimming and fishing."

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Food Storage RequiredAvailable food storage lockers are essential due to bear activity. Usage rules require securing all food.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Sierraville Ranger District (530) 994-3401 (voice), (530) 994-3521 (TDD).

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is offered, but some reviewers noted issues with overflowing bins. Sandra H. observed, "Trash is not emptied on a regular basis. It was overflowing (the bear-proof trash didn't close) the entire time we were there."

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Pass Creek Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.2

84 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Overall, user reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, proximity to Jackson Meadow Reservoir, and variety of recreational opportunities. However, some concerns were raised about maintenance and crowding during peak seasons.

Review Summaries

Based on 84 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praised the campground's cleanliness, scenic location, and recreational amenities. Positive sentiments include "clean and quiet" (by Glorydog11) and "Beautiful area to play in the lake and go...

Based on 84 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include lack of potable water during certain times, trash overflow, and crowding. Dustin C. noted, "With a little bit of effort put into maintenance, Pass Creek could be amazing."

Based on 84 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific sites like #16, noted by Laura-Ann C. as a favorite, offer good proximity to water and amenities. Conversely, site #21 received criticism for being too sloped.

Based on 84 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommended to bring sufficient supplies due to the site's remoteness and lack of nearby stores. Laura-Ann C. advised, "There are no stores closer than about 30 miles (Truckee), so make sure you have...

Based on 84 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Peak summer months are popular but can be crowded and noisy. Off-peak visits offer quieter experiences but more limited amenities.

Based on 84 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The reservoir goes back and forth as to levels but still lots of fun for fishing, kayaking, boating and just playing in the water." (Cindy S.) "Flush toilets with lav sinks in restrooms" (Laura-Ann...

Based on 84 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not detailed in reviews, though paved pads and proximity to water sources may aid some visitors.

Based on 84 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but reviews highlight the importance of keeping them leashed. Josimar K. expressed concerns about unleashed dogs: "My other negative are people not picking up after their dogs."

Based on 84 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want budget-friendly lakeside camping with boat launch access and don't mind basic facilities.

Skip if

You need electric hookups, guaranteed site spacing, or consistent maintenance standards.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.1

(149)

East Meadow Campground

SIERRAVILLE RANGER DISTRICT, 317 SOUTH LINCOLN ST (HWY 89), PO BOX 95, SIERRAVILLE, CA, 96126, USA

East Meadow Campground sits in Tahoe National Forest near Jackson Meadow Reservoir, operated by Nevada Irrigation District. This mid-elevation forest campground offers tent and RV sites with lake access for boating, swimming, and fishing. Campers appreciate the clean facilities, helpful hosts, and proximity to trails for hiking and biking.