Lake Almanor can be absolutely stunning but your experience depends heavily on where you camp. There are many options for Camping at Lake Almanor ranging from primitive tent sites to full hook-up RV sites.
Here you will find a complete guide to Lake Almanor camping and it is organized so you’re guaranteed to find a great place, no matter how you prefer to camp!
Quick Facts about the Lake Almanor Area
- Located within Lassen National Forest, about 3 hours north of Sacramento
- The lake is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric
- The lake covers about 28,000 acres (almost 44 square miles) and sits at 4600 ft elevation
- Lassen Volcanic National Park is nearby and can be easily visited in a day
- PG&E Picnic Park, located on the Southeast side of the lake, has a great picnic area
Tent Only Lake Almanor Camping Spots
If you’re a tent camper and looking for a great Lake Almanor camping spot away from the RVs, unfortunately you’ll have to get away from lake as well – all the lake-front campgrounds that have tent sites, also allow RVs.
But have no fear – there are plenty of great sites in the surrounding Lassen National Forest that only allow tents and trailers:
1. Alder Creek Campground
- Description: Nestled adjacent to the beautiful Deer Creek, Alder Creek is a semi-developed campground
- Number of Sites: 6
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11254
- Location: Hwy 32 along Deer Creek, forest road 27n42, 40°12’33.4″N, 121°29’48.1″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 19 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $10/night
- Other Notes: The campground has restrooms, tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and stream water. No piped in drinking water is available.
2. Battle Creek Campgrounds
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 50
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11265
- Location: Highway 36 approximately 2 miles west of Mineral, CA along Battle Creek, 40°20’54.1″N 121°37’37.2″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 30 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $18/night
- Other Notes: Heavy usage. Restrooms, tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and drinking water. The campground also has a disabled access campsite with a disabled access restroom.
3. Benner Creek Campground
- Number of Sites: 9
- Location: Juniper Lake Road via Highway 36, 40°23’44.1″N, 121°16’04.7″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 11 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: Not Listed
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, fire rings, and cooking grills. Only stream water is available, no drinking water.
4. Black Rock Campground
- Description: Primitive dispersed campground situated in the Oak Woodlands along Mill Creek
- Number of Sites: 6
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11268
- Location: Ponderosa Way off of Highway 36 east from Red Bluff, 40°11’12.6″N 121°41’55.7″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 36 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: NO FEE
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, fire rings, and cooking grills. Only stream water is available, no drinking water. Accessed by rough road, 4-wheel drive recommended. Open year round.
5. Domingo Springs Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 18
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11295
- Location: Wilson Lake/Old Mineral Road off of Highway 36, 40°21’37.4″N 121°20’39.8″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 12 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $14/night
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and drinking water. The local Maidu Indians referred to this spot as the “center of the universe”.
6. Elam Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 15
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11302
- Location: Off highway 32, 55 miles east of Chico along Deer Creek, 40°14’57.6″N 121°26’51.1″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 15 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $14/night
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, fire rings, cooking grills, and drinking water.
7. Gurnsey Creek Campground and Group Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 31 individual sites, 2 large group sites
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11311
- Location: On Highway 36, 14 miles west of the town of Chester and Lake Almanor, 40°18’35.4″N 121°25’34.9″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 14 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $14/night individual sites, $56-$112/night for group sites
- Other Notes: Picnic tables, campfire rings with grills, restrooms, and drinking water. Max people at group site 1 is 56 and group site 2 is 112. Group sites can be booked on Recreation.gov
8. High Bridge Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 12
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11318
- Location: Warner Valley Road off of Highway 36, 40°20’23.2″N 121°19’38.2″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 10 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $12/night
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, drinking water, fire ring, and cooking grills
9. Hole-In-The-Ground
- Description: Developed campground, tucked away in a steep, tree-covered draw alongside Mill Creek
- Number of Sites: 13
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11319
- Location: Off Highway 36 and 172, along Mill Creek, approximately 6 miles southeast of Mineral, CA. 40°18’35.9″N 121°33’36.0″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 27 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $12/night
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, drinking water, fire rings, and cooking grills. Road to the site is steep, narrow, unpaved, and there is limited turnaround space.
10. Rocky Knoll Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 15
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11372
- Location: Off Highway 89 and County Road 308 on Soldier Creek, 40°12’48.0″N 121°16’26.1″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 6 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $10/night
- Other Notes: In a picturesque meadow near Soldier Creek, the campground is surrounded by a majestic pine and fir forest. Grills and tables are provided. There are vaulted toilets and access to stream water.
11. Warner Creek Campground
- Description: Developed campground
- Number of Sites: 13
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11383
- Location: Off Highway 36 on Warner Valley Road, 40°21’45.3″N 121°18’23.8″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 11 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $10/night
- Other Notes: Restrooms, tables, fire rings, and cooking grills. No drinking water, only stream water.
12. Willow Springs Campground
- Description: Dispersed camping
- Number of Sites: 14
- Website: None
- Location: On Lost Creek Road off of Highway 36, 40°18’21.5″N 121°22’32.1″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 11 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: Not listed
- Other Notes:
Tent and RV Lake Almanor Camping Spots
Most of the Lake Almanor camping spots within walking distance of the lake and giving direct access to the lake are RV parks, but many allow tent camping too! So if you’re a tent camper and want to be close to the lake, or if you’d like a few more amenities (for example bathrooms), the following spots are right for you!
13. Almanor Campground and Alamanor Group Camp
Location: Hwy. 89, 7 miles south of Hwy. 36
Reservations: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232246
Phone Reservations: 877-444-6777
Phone for large Group Camp: (530) 258-2141
Managed by: Lassen National Forest
Number of sites: 105
Price: $18/night (except the large Group Camp Site)
Notes: The large Group Camp Site has a max of 100 people and costs $100/night
14. North Shore Campground
Location: East of Chester on Hwy. 36, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.northshorecampground.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreCampground/
Phone: 530-258-3376
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 128
Price: RV sites not listed, tent sites are $39/night
Notes: 3 cabin rentals, tents ok, showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, dump station, boat rentals, and ramp, store, pay phone and internet access, open seasonally, not far from grocery stores, great place for a family reunion
15. Paul Bunyan RV
Location: 443 Peninsula Dr., Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.paulbunyanresort.com
Phone: 530-596-4700
Email: [email protected]
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 22
Price: $45/night, $295/week
Notes: Tents OK, Full Hookups, Showers, laundry and restaurant, Seasonal
16. Potato Patch Campground
- Description: Developed campground, shaded by towering pines and firs
- Number of Sites: 32
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11361
- Location: On Highway 32 along Deer Creek, 40°11’16.9″N 121°31’56.4″W
- Distance to Almanor Lake: 22 miles
- Managed by: Lassen National Forest
- Price: $14/night
- Other Notes: Some sites are equipped to accommodate RVs and/or are ADA accessible
17. Rocky Point Campground
Location: West shore of Lake Almanor, North of Canyon Dam
Reservations: https://recreation.pge.com/reservation/camping/
Phone: 530-284-1785
Managed by: Pacific Gas and Electric
Number of sites: 131
Price: Not Listed
Notes: Tents and RV, vault toilets, piped water, dump station, pay phone.
18. Rocky Point North Group Camp
Location: West shore of Lake Almanor, North of Canyon Dam
Reservations: https://recreation.pge.com/reservation/camping/
Phone: 530-284-1785
Managed by: Pacific Gas and Electric
Number of sites: 5
Price: $142/night
Notes: Group sites, must reserve, 30 people max/site. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and storage locker. The site has piped water and vault toilets. A 2-night minimum stay is required.
19. Rocky Point South Group Camp
Location: West shore of Lake Almanor
Reservations: https://recreation.pge.com/reservation/camping/
Phone: 530-284-1785
Managed by: Pacific Gas and Electric
Number of sites: 12
Price: $561/night
Notes: Group sites, must reserve. A pod of 12 sites with parking spurs and seven walk-in sites can be reserved through the online system, for a total of 114 people
RV Lake Almanor Camping Sites
For RV campers looking for a great Almanor Lake camping spot, the following are just for you!
20. Almanor Legacy Camp
Location: Hwy. 89, 7 miles south of Hwy. 36
Reservations: First come, first serve
Managed by: Lassen National Forest
Number of sites: 12
Price: $30/single site, $60/double site
Notes: This site is not on the water, Golden Age/Golden Access passes may be used for single sites only.
21. Big Cove RV
Location: 2655 Big Springs Rd, Lake Almanor
Reservations: http://www.bigcoveresort.com
Phone Reservations: 530-596-3349
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 8
Price: Not listed
Notes: full hookups, showers, flush toilets, internet access.
Pontoon boats, fishing boats and water bike rentals available. Propane for sale.
22. Big Springs RV Park (Big Springs Resort)
Location: 2655 Big Springs Rd, Lake Almanor
Reservations: http://www.bigspringsresort.com
Phone Reservations: 530-596-3390
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 8
Price: Not Listed
Notes: full hookups, showers, flush toilets, Wi-fi
23. Canyon Dam RV Park
Location: 29581 Highway 89, Canyon Dam
Website: NA
Phone: 530-284-7046
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 18
Price: Not Listed
Notes: full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry, boat ramp, store, pay phone, open all year.
24. Forest Park RV
Location: 29689 Highway 89, Canyon Dam
Reservations or Website:
Phone: 530-284-7405
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 55
Price: Not Listed
Notes: 1/3 mile from south end of Lake Almanor, backing on national forest.
Full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, wi-fi, pet friendly, boat ramp and store nearby. seasonal
No open fires of any kind (including campfires and briquettes) are permitted. Propane BBQs only are allowed
25. Lake Almanor RV
Location: 29529 Highway 89, Canyon Dam
Reservations or Website: http://www.lakealmanorrv.com/
Phone: 530-284-7372
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 7
Price: Not Listed
Notes: full hookups, a general store and Wi Fi. Open seasonally.
Stand Up Paddle Board Rentals with single, two-person, fishing and pedal drive kayaks.
26. Lake Cove RV (Lake Cove Resort)
Location: 33584 Highway 147, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.lakecoveresort.net
Phone: 800-605-6595
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 64
Price: $40-$49/day, $255-$290/week
Notes: Camping cabins, full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, dump station, pay phone, open seasonally
27. Lake Haven RV
Location: 7329 Highway 147, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.lakehavenresort.com
Phone: 530-596-3249
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lake-Haven-Resort-at-Lake-Almanor-164943846892420
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 27
Price:
Notes: 8 cabins, full hookups, boat ramp, and internet access. Open seasonally.
28. Plumas Pines RV (Plumas Pines Resort)
Location: 3000 Almanor Dr. West, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.plumaspinesresort.com
Phone: 530-259-4343
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 63
Price: $49
Notes: Horses welcome, full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, boat rentals and boat launch ramp, restaurant, store and pay phone. Open seasonally
29. Vagabond Resort RV
Location: 7371 Highway 147, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.lakealmanorvagabondrvresort.com/
Phone: 530-596-3240
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 36
Price:
Notes: 2 cabins, full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, boat ramp and internet access. Open seasonally
30. Whispering Pines RV Park
Location: 29524 State Highway 89, Canyon Dam
Website: http://www.whisperingpinesrvparkatlakealmanor.com
Phone: 530-284-7404
Cel/Text 530 258-1763
email: [email protected]
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 25
Price: $50/night, $250/week
Notes: Fulll hookup RV sites, with green grass and cement pads. Men’s and women’s separate restrooms with showers, and flush toilets, laundry room and lounge area. Internet access. Good staging area for ATVs. Open seasonally.
31. Wilson’s Camp Prattville RV
Location: 2932 Almanor Dr. West, Lake Almanor
Website: http://www.camp-prattville.com
Phone: 530-259-2267
Email: [email protected]
Managed by: Private
Number of sites: 27
Price: Not Listed
Notes: 8 cabins, full hookups, showers, flush toilets, laundry and dump station, boat ramp, restaurant, store, pay phone, internet access. All RV sites are within 200 feet of the lake shore. Open seasonally
Conclusion
Lake Almanor holds beauty rivaling that of Lake Tahoe but with far fewer people. The size of the lake and the surrounding area makes it friendly to all types of campers, from secluded tent sites to RV campgrounds loaded with amenities. Pick your ideal Lake Almanor camping spot and experience beautiful Lake Almanor!
If you’re in northern California, check out this must-do hike to Alamere Falls via Palomarin Trailhead!
I will leave you with an amazing time-lapse of an eclipse over Lake Almanor:
