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State Park

Photo: Share the Experience, Terry KiserPublic domainRecreation.gov

Lightning Tree Campground

Plumas National Forest · Portola, CA

Verify with the state park system

State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.

Directions

40

Total Sites

0.0

0 Reviews

1 Tent39 RV

Official sources & verification

Managed by State Park

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Managing agency

Verify by phone or mail

  • Email:james.bradeen@usda.gov
  • Address:PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST - BECKWOURTH RANGER DISTRICT · Portola, CA · 96103
We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this campground using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: Jul 10, 2026. Our copy is more than a month old — please reconfirm with the agency before relying on it.Spot an error in our data?

Live availability

via Recreation.gov
See every open campground nearbySame dates & filters, across the whole area

Availability is a recent snapshot, not a live hold — you always complete the booking on recreation.gov.

About

Overview Lightning Tree Campground (5,800 feet) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area. The lake was formed by damming Grizzly Creek in 1967. The purpose of the lake was to provide water for the town of Portola, improve area fishing and provide recreation opportunities. The 32 miles of shoreline has several boat launch facilities and fishing access points. Lightning Tree Campground is a great place to serve as hub for family fun and recreation. At the end of the day return to this home away from home to relax around the campfire. Recreation In addition to camping, the area offers a wide variety of popular water-related activities, including fishing, boating and swimming. Numerous fishing access points are located around the perimeter of the lake and anglers will find rainbow and brown trout, bass and catfish. A boat ramp is located nearby. Mountain biking, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing are also available in the area. During winter months, visitors enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Facilities The campground offers more than three dozen single and double capacity campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Some accessible campsites are available. Most sites are available on a first come basis and the rest are open for reservation up to six months in advance. Coin-operated showers are available 4 miles away at Grasshopper Flat Campground. Natural Features Lake Davis is situated in the hills north of the town of Portola in the Plumas National Forest. Smith Peak State Game Refuge to the south and west of the lake is a great place for bird watching, nature viewing, photography and exploring. Large sheep herding ranches used this area before the dam was build. Today, cattle trek across the rangeland meadows. Get a panoramic view of Lake Davis, Sierra Valley and peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Ranges from Smith Peak Fire Lookout. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (530) 927-7878. Nearby Attractions Restaraunts, stores and services are available in Portola, CA Visit the largest railroad museum in the Western United States located in Portola. The old Basque style sheepherder bread oven at Jenkins Point has been restored Visit Smith Peak Fire Lookout

Reviews

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How busy it gets

Recreation.gov
Well reviewed4.4

64 camper reviews on Recreation.gov

Amenities

Flush Toilets
Dump Station
Picnic Tables
Trash Service

Cell reception

Camper reports · checked Sep 29, 2026

Some Coverage

Average 2.2 of 4 bars · 52 reports across 3 carriers

Phone calls may occasionally drop; text messages may be delayed. Data service may be unusable. Drop-outs are common and it may be necessary to search for signal. Social media likely unusable.

  • Verizon

    Some Coverage

    2.3/4

    23 reports

  • AT&T

    Some Coverage

    2.0/4

    17 reports

  • T-Mobile

    Some Coverage

    2.4/4

    12 reports

Reported by campers on Recreation.gov, not measured by us. Reception varies by handset, weather, and where you stand in the campground. Recreation.gov

Campground Rules

  • No campfires allowed

Reservations

This campground accepts reservations. Book early for popular dates.

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Individual Sites (40)

Within ~30 miles

Trails near Lightning Tree Campground

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Hunt context

Hunting units around this campground

During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the California hunting page

Nearby Campgrounds

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