Lake Camping Near Alturas, California, US: 12 Best Lake Campsites 2025

Looking for a camping adventure near Alturas, California, with a preference for lakes? Look no further than Mill Creek Resort (638 reviews), Juniper Spur Ranch (119 reviews), and Peter's Forest Vacation Rentals (52 reviews). With over 240 options available, you'll have plenty of choices to find the perfect lakeside campsite. Whether you're looking for a rustic tent camping experience or a cozy cabin retreat, Hipcamp has got you covered. With popular amenities like potable water, showers, and pet-friendly accommodations, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, with activities like off-roading, biking, and hiking available, there's plenty to do during your camping trip. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable lakeside camping experience near Alturas, California!

97% (32)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a camping adventure near Alturas, California, with a preference for lakes? Look no further than Mill Creek Resort (638 reviews), Juniper Spur Ranch (119 reviews), and Peter's Forest Vacation Rentals (52 reviews). With over 240 options available, you'll have plenty of choices to find the perfect lakeside campsite. Whether you're looking for a rustic tent camping experience or a cozy cabin retreat, Hipcamp has got you covered. With popular amenities like potable water, showers, and pet-friendly accommodations, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, with activities like off-roading, biking, and hiking available, there's plenty to do during your camping trip. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable lakeside camping experience near Alturas, California!

97% (32)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Freedom

100%

(24)

2mi from Alturas · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Alturas, CA

The recreation opportunities in the Alturas CA area are endless, fishing, hiking biking, hunting, boating and OHV. The camping site has nearly 3 acres with a view of the town of Alturas and is a great place to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of fresh air and juniper trees. There are flat usable campsites around the property and one portion of the property is fenced for horses (bring your own water trough). The property is approximately 3 minutes from downtown Alturas with restaurants and stores. The sleepy town is a perfect place to hang out and relax at the big park in town behind the VFW Hall on Main Street, have refreshments at the two bars in town or try your luck at the Desert Rose Casino. The Wildlife Refuge has a self driving tour where you can see all kinds of birds and wildlife. Take a drive outside town to the "Ranches" to see deer, antelope, eagles and various waterfowl! Alturas is a high desert area with wonderful views of the Warner Mountains and has an enchanting feel to it. Temperatures in the summer rarely get over 100 degrees, mostly low 90's, and in the fall the cool nights make for great sleeping. Pop over Cedar Pass to Cedarville which is about 20 minutes away to check out the newly designated "Dark Sky" area. Come up and hang out in this very cool and special place, you will not want to leave!! The town of Alturas is also in the coveted X hunting zones, X3a, X3b and X2, for those of you who like to hunt. Two sites have full hook ups and the small trailer site on the above pad (see trailer picture) has electric only. During the winter, the pump house is turned off and drained due to freezing temperatures and the risk of blowing a pipe, so campers must bring their own water during November through March. Please ask if there are changes in these dates for the water hook ups.

2. Junipers Reservoir Campground

96%

(14)

49mi from Alturas · 5 sites · Tents · Lakeview, OR

Junipers Reservoir RV Resort was created approximately 30 years ago. The RV resort sits at the end of a one mile gravel driveway, on the edge of a juniper forest overlooking the 200 acre Junipers Reservoir and its surrounding meadows. A large lawn and cedar buildings sit at the center of the oval shaped RV park, with the generously sized camping sites angled along the outside edge to provide the best views. The resort boasts free fishing in the reservoir for trout, hiking and biking trails, rock-hounding, bird watching, wildlife viewing, horseshoes, and volleyball. The view from the open air pavilion is spectacular!Learn more about this land:Located in the heart of a 5,000 acre cattle ranch. We have hot showers, laundry machines, restrooms, BBQ's, Covered Pavilion, park benches, and lots of lawns. Plenty of room for tent campers. We have an enclosed dog off-leash run area. Plenty of trees for shade, fresh air and blue skies. At night we are far enough from town that the dark night lights up with stars. We have a 200 acre lake for fishing (trout) and miles of trails to hike or bike on the ranch. The rate shown here is for Tent Camping

3. Modoc National Forest

88%

(4)

274 sites · Canby, California

Over one and a half MILLION glorious acres of majestic and mysterious volcanic territory in NorCal.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

4. Goose Lake State Recreation Area

48 sites · New Pine Creek, Oregon

Waterfowl, deer, and campers coexist in this remote lakefront spot with seasonal camping.

5. Fremont-Winema National Forest

60%

(5)

534 sites · Beatty, Oregon

Any Cheryl Strayed/Reese Witherspoon fans in the house? Retrace their Wild footsteps in the Fremont-Winema National Forest; part of the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail falls along the forest’s western edge. And the forest certainly is “wild”: the 2.3 million acres of lush green forests and alpine meadows shelter elk, antelope, bobcats, and bears--plus intrepid adventure seekers, like yourself! In the summer, try hiking or biking along the Crane Trail, which offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. And don’t fret when the weather turns cold and snowy; Fremont-Winema turns into a winter wonderland! Strap on ski goggles and coast downhill, or rev it up on a snowmobile at the Quartz Mountain Sno-park. Back at camp, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa--with extra marshmallows, thank you very much--and start planning for your next day in Oregon paradise.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Alturas

Big Sage Campground

7.4mi from Alturas · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Stough Reservoir Campground

16mi from Alturas · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Pepperdine Equestrian Campground

16mi from Alturas · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Reservoir C Campground

16mi from Alturas · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Soup Springs Campground

19mi from Alturas · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Mill Creek Falls Campground

20mi from Alturas · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

100%

(1)

Howard's Gulch Campground

22mi from Alturas · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Lower Rush Creek Campground

22mi from Alturas · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Emerson Campground

26mi from Alturas · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Red Tail Rim Trail South Trailhead/Campground

27mi from Alturas · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Lassen Creek Campground

27mi from Alturas · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Ash Creek Campground

27mi from Alturas · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Stories from the community

R

Ricky

October 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Camp Freedom

Super well kept property with new utilities. Perfect location for me while duck hunting the refuge which only 13 minutes away. Definitely will be back!

R

Rachel

September 2025

25 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Camp Freedom

What a beautiful spot this was! It felt so private and was nice and level. There was room for another camper, but we were there by ourselves and enjoyed the quiet. Stacie was very kind to work with.

A

Adam

August 2025

21 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Camp Freedom

Very nice property with easy access and plenty of space. Would definitely recommend if you are planning to visit the area.

C

Charles

June 2025

26 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Camp Freedom

Great views, private, quiet, level, new utilities, close to town. Highly recommend

Molly

June 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camp Freedom

Very private, large site. Host is very kind and helpful! There are several barky dogs in the neighborhood that woke me up a few times but otherwise a perfect camping experience.

K

Katherine

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Junipers Reservoir Campground

Very clean and spacious. Very quiet spot off the highway.

D

Diana

June 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Camp Freedom

The property sits above the town and is peaceful and serene. Stacie is super responsive and helpful, the recommendation for the Basque restaurant in town was great! Loved it!

Travis

March 2025

34 ft fifth wheel

1 night at Camp Freedom

Camp Freedom is well loved and thoughtfully layed out for multiple campers. Easy to locate and host Stacie provides clear communication. 10/10 would stay again!

Travis

March 2025

34 ft fifth wheel

1 night at Camp Freedom

A beautiful, quiet, welcoming, and well loved retreat with great wonderful landscaping. Great communication with the host. Woke up with 4 deer investigating us while we made breakfast. 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking for a private camp space. Looking forward to staying again in a couple weeks!!