Sagehen Creek Campground

Star4.38
13 reviews
Sagehen Creek Campground

Quick Facts

6,500 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Sagehen Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fee for staying in Sagehen Creek Campground. No reservations – first come, first served.
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.38

Recommended

Based on 13 reviews

22 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulsites

"Reviewers overwhelmingly praise Sagehen Creek Campground as a quiet, remote, free spot with beautiful meadow, creek, and forest scenery, large well-spaced sites, and a very tranquil atmosphere. A few reviews note rough access roads, marshy/muddy conditions, and heavy mosquitoes in summer, plus one strongly negative (and likely out-of-place) review about showers and staff that doesn’t match the rest. A 2025 review reports the access road is now gated/closed several miles before the campground, so driving directly in may no longer be possible."

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Fees & Passes at Sagehen Creek Campground

Free

Campsite fees

Standard Site

Basic tent/RV spot

Free

Stay Limit: 14 days per year

Prices verified December 10, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official reservation website.


Best Time to Camp at Sagehen Creek Campground

The early season brings lush meadows and flowing creek waters, though you'll want to pack your mosquito repellent as these winged residents are especially active during late spring and early summer. As the season progresses, the bugs diminish and the high-elevation setting provides comfortable summer temperatures perfect for escaping the valley heat.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Sagehen Creek Campground

    Tucked away at 6,500 feet elevation, Sagehen Creek Campground offers an authentic backcountry experience where lodgepole pines shade a peaceful meadow alongside the babbling waters of Sagehen Creek. This no-frills, first-come-first-served gem provides the essentials—vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings—while you provide everything else in true pack-it-in, pack-it-out fashion. Note that the rustic access makes this spot best suited for smaller vehicles and tent campers rather than large RVs.
    Described as a remote, rustic campground. Not suitable for large RVs; roads within the campground are rough native surface. First-come, first-served (no reservations) and no fee; camping limited to 14 days per year.
    Weather and SeasonsThe early season brings lush meadows and flowing creek waters, though you'll want to pack your mosquito repellent as these winged residents are especially active during late spring and early summer. As the season progresses, the bugs diminish and the high-elevation setting provides comfortable summer temperatures perfect for escaping the valley heat.
    ElevationPerched at approximately 6,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada, this campground sits in that sweet spot where the air is crisp and clean, the nights are cool enough for a campfire, and the elevation is high enough to feel remote without being extreme.
    Natural Features and ScenerySagehen Creek winds through the heart of this secluded campground, its clear waters providing a constant soundtrack of rippling mountain runoff. The adjacent meadow opens up views of the surrounding forest while stands of lodgepole pine create dappled shade throughout the camping area, their straight trunks reaching skyward like natural pillars. This is the kind of remote, rustic setting where you can truly disconnect—no crowds, no amenities, just you, the creek, and the whisper of wind through the pines at 6,500 feet elevation.
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    Campsite details

    AccessibilityAccessible vault toilet.
    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesBring your own water and pack out all trash. Expect rough native-surface roads and limited suitability for large RVs. Prepare for mosquitos in the early season.

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    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    14 days per year
    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Site layoutRough native-surface roads. Picnic tables and fire rings provided at sites. Accessible vault toilet available.
    Walk-in AvailabilityFirst come, first served

    Amenities available

    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed
    • Fire rings provided. Firewood not available for purchase.

    Hazards

    General hazardsMosquitos in the early camping season. Rough native-surface roads within the campground. Not suitable for large RVs.

    Weather at Sagehen Creek Campground

    46
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Clear sky
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 42%
    Wind: 7.2 mph
    Clear sky

    Weather History
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    Good to know

    Trash and recyclingNo trash services provided; pack it in, pack it out.
    Proximity to water featuresLocated along Sagehen Creek; adjacent to a meadow.
    Common complaintsNo water or trash services; rough native-surface roads; no firewood for purchase; mosquito presence in early season.

    Campground Map

    Sagehen Creek Campground
    Driving directionsFrom Truckee take Highway 89 North for approximately eight miles to Sagehen Summit. Take a left onto 260 Road and go approximately 0.10 mile to four-way intersection. Continue on 260 Road (middle road, not to field station) for approximately 1.5 miles. Take a left onto 11 Road for approximately three miles. At bottom of paved hill, take a left at Sagehen Campground sign. Campground will be on the right in approximately 0.5 mile.
    Approximately seven miles west of Highway 89 North; access via Highway 89 North to Sagehen Summit then 260 Road and 11 Road as described in driving directions.
    Nearby places
    Truckee — directions begin from Truckee
    Highway 89 North to Sagehen Summit is approximately eight miles (per directions).

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.4
    13 reviews
    Recommended
    Recommended
    Sagehen Creek Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers overwhelmingly praise Sagehen Creek Campground as a quiet, remote, free spot with beautiful meadow, creek, and forest scenery, large well-spaced sites, and a very tranquil atmosphere. A few reviews note rough access roads, marshy/muddy conditions, and heavy mosquitoes in summer, plus one strongly negative (and likely out-of-place) review about showers and staff that doesn’t match the rest. A 2025 review reports the access road is now gated/closed several miles before the campground, so driving directly in may no longer be possible.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 13 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Campers love the peaceful, tranquil setting with sounds of the creek at night and birds in the morning, plus awesome views of the meadow, forest, and surrounding nature. They highlight that it’s a...
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    Based on 13 reviews

    Common Concerns

    Common downsides include rough, rugged access roads that require care and may be challenging for some vehicles, along with marshy or muddy ground around the campground and campsites. Several...
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    Based on 13 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Reviewers suggest only coming if you’re comfortable with a remote, very quiet atmosphere and avoiding generators and loud groups, as this is a tranquil spot where noise stands out. Bring strong...
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    Based on 13 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Very tranquil place, so if you have loud kids or a generator, there are better places for you!" "It's a dispersed campground so it's free, but each site has a picnic table and a fire pit, plus...
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    Based on 13 reviews

    Accessibility Features

    Multiple reviewers note that reaching the campground requires driving "several miles on a rather rugged road," and one says "The road to get there is a bit rough at some points, 4 WD is necessary!"...
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    Based on 13 reviews

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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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