Almanor Campground, Chester, CA

Almanor Campground in Plumas county is located 1 hr 43 min northeast of Chico, CA with an elevation of 4,498 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 19 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $100.00. Some amenities include swimming, amphitheater. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
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Campsite Reviews (41)

4.4 out of 5

5 star
63%
4 star
20%
3 star
5%
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1 star
5%
@DebbieH2027684 · Camped on Sep 4, 2023 at Campsite #10
We had a wonderful week at Lake Almanor. The best part was our camp host, Steve! He went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. Starting with our arrival and his welcoming greeting, to showing us to our campsite, making sure everything was satisfactory, to giving fantastic recommendations on things to do and see in the area-Steve is definitely the best camp host we have ever encountered!! The weather was perfect in September and the lake and boat launch are close by. The Chester area has many great restaurants but the Kronenkrik Koffehaus is the best Danish bakery around. Although there are no hookups in the South Loop, where we stayed, there is water available close to the campsites and a dump station nearby. Now for the negative part: most of the flush toilets in the campground are broken and the US Forest Service doesnt seem to care. It has been reported multiple times but nothing has been done, it was an inconvenience for us, but we had options with our motorhome; our tent camping neighbors werent so lucky-it was a long hike (or drive) to the closest porta potty or vault toilet. Very sad that the Forest Service cant do their job and get these repaired.
@KurtT1158170 · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #3
Almanor South is very well kept by the Camp Host. He was very polite and helpful during our time. If someone was to ask me what could be improved, I would respond with the reservation system is not easy to understand as not all the sites are listed. Almanor North is a mystery reservation or lack of reservation system. It's there physically, there are sites and bathrooms and stuff but no mention of it on the website. Not sure what it happening here, but it sure would be nice to know the status is. Open, Closed, reservation sites, first come first served sites, map. I did call the office in Chester but the man on the phone really didn't know what's going on. Call the reservations.gov....clueless.
@LaurenA3AEB359 · Camped on Aug 16, 2023 at Campsite #19
The Almanor South is large and well maintained. The bathrooms and grounds are spotless The campground is in close proximity to the bike trail and the lake. Hike Brokeoff instead of Lassen. Much more diverse and considered more challenging.
@JulisaQ76841AF · Camped on Aug 13, 2023 at Campsite #8
Everything was good, needs more maintenance mens bathrooms were not open was ok they were able to use womens but still, outlets did not work in bathroom. No bear food lockers keep your food in your car, never out we did get a bear visit us at our site and got into our food took a lot of it. Overall was a good experience a lot of space on sites far from others sites. BEAR DOES COME VISIT PEOPLES SITES.
@NeldaW56720406 · Camped on Aug 10, 2023 at Campsite #9
When work was planned in the campground, the women at the NF office for the campground kept us quite up-to-date with what was going on.Our site was ready when we arrived and marked with our reservation. They went ABOVE & BEYOND!!
@DianaP6305911 · Camped on Aug 6, 2023 at Campsite #18
The lake is beautiful and the facilities pretty decent but we had an issue with the park service handling the reservation. They are doing renovations and were closing campgrounds in order to replace bathrooms. The problem was, the rangers failed to notify us (they acknowledged that) so we were put in the position of having to find a temporary space then move for the last two days. Most of the bathrooms were locked and campers had to use port-a-potties or hike to a vault toilet. I realize this was an exception and next summer will be different but not impressed with the way the reservations were handled.
@HuajieZ59E415F · Camped on Aug 1, 2023 at Campsite #9
Our campsite was lovely. It was very easy to find and had running drinking water. We parked 2 vehicles easily and the campsite was very clean.
@RandyM1178769 · Camped on Jul 12, 2023 at Campsite #18
Plumas pines has everything Lake Resort Dinner Golfing near by at Almanor West
@RobertS9225788 · Camped on Jun 25, 2023 at Campsite #9
This was our first time to Lake Almanor and loved the experience. The campsite was quiet, clean, and well-kept. The sites were far enough in spacing that although you could see other campers, you could still feel as if you were in the wilderness; in addition, it was quiet enough that wildlife and birds came around. Would definitely choose this location again.
@CraigO4B3839CC · Camped on Jun 23, 2023 at Campsite #15
The lake, the nearby, free, public boat launch, and the Plumas Pines marina, restaurant and resort are the big attractions of the Lake Almanor Campground. Although the huge 2021 Dixie fire burned a lot of the forest nearby, the Almanor South campground, the Plumas Pines resort and the city of Chester were not directly affected. We had a great time and rented jet ski's at the marina which also rents ski boats, pontoon boats, kayaks etc. The camp host was very friendly and helpful.
@MichaelM541440 · Camped on Jun 22, 2023 at Campsite #4
Camp Host was so helpful! He went well beyond normal service to make sure everyone was a Happy Camper! Site and Lake were so beautiful and bike trail that runs right through the camp was fantastic!
@MichaelM541440 · Camped on Jun 21, 2023 at Campsite #5
We stayed for 4 nights and site #5 in a class B Sprinter. It was an excellent site, paved, flat and quiet, right across from the restroom. There was quite a bit of shade and the table was about 50 ft away from the parking site. The campground is very nice overall with sites spaced a good distance apart. There is a lot to do in the area as far as biking and hiking goes. Mt Lassen National Park was basically closed due to heavy snow pack. We had been there a number of times and it's a gem, off the beaten path. There is an incredible paved bike trail all along the Lake about 15 miles long accessible from the campground. There are a few hills, easily manageable, and it's also through the forest. There is a very good restaurant about 1 mile away, Plumas Pines, I believe is the name. The Lake was ¼ mile walk from the camp. Steve, the host was exceptional. He was helpful and willing to help with what ever you need. I would return to this campground.
@EmilH91CE4B0C4 · Camped on Jun 12, 2023 at Campsite #12
Almanor campground south site#12. Large site with good shade for tent. New metal picnic table. Drinking water and restroom near by. 40 ft. back in driveway sufficient for truck and boat.
@scotts8955128 · Camped on Jun 8, 2023 at Campsite #17
Campground clean and quiet. Camp host Steve very helpful and friendly
@GrantF2B80A379 · Camped on May 27, 2023 at Campsite #8
Loved it
@TamraW8099881 · Camped on Jul 26, 2022 at Campsite #5
No physical address listed and WRONG directions given by Recreation.gov. Pictures for camp site weren't actual site, no water access. False advertising. Will never use again
@RobertM1452522 · Camped on Jul 12, 2022 at Campsite #13
Camp host was welcoming, helpful and friendly. Setting was nice with huge trees. No signs of the Dixie Fire damage from this camp site.
@AndrewD2287388 · Camped on Jul 11, 2022 at Campsite #11
Great place. Looks like they're recovering slowly but surely from the fires last year. Still, it's sad and sobering to see so much fire damage. However it's still a beautiful area nonetheless!
@RebeccaC264620 · Camped on Jul 7, 2022 at Campsite #2
Clean bathrooms and quiet. Close to boat ramp.
@KendraR2573719 · Camped on Jun 23, 2022 at Campsite #5
This campsite is really cool! The campsites are really large and spread out. Certain sites have a lot of privacy, more so than I'd expect given there are a lot of campsites here. You are an easy walk away from the lake (15-20 minutes) and have access to the Almanor Rec Trail that runs through the campsite. Nice/clean bathrooms, really pretty location.
@PeterV7615188 · Camped on Jun 20, 2022 at Campsite #4
Very clean bathrooms. Camp site host was very nice and helpful. Overall camp grounds were very clean.
@JoeH1345748 · Camped on Jun 12, 2022 at Campsite #5
Tthe camp was clean and spacious. The host was friendly and helpful he camp site was clean and spacious
@SunilD2732923 · Camped on Jun 7, 2022 at Campsite #6
Everything is good. Very clean and calm & quiet. Next to the lake. I should have stayed more days.
@TeresaR5842699 · Camped on Jun 3, 2022 at Campsite #18
Almanor South is a beautiful campground. The sites are spacious and far enough away from other sites to offer some privacy. This campground is fairly close to the lake. While damage from the Dixie fire was evident near the campground, there was no damage in the campground. I would stay here again.
@DyllonW639 · Camped on Jul 19, 2021 at Campsite #1
Fire got us evacuated and no refund was given Plus it was damn near impossible to find because the campground is called almanor that’s the entire lake so if you google it you get 5 campgrounds with the same name around the same lake and Recreation.gov has the worst app it says it has no service to direct me to any campsite whether I have wifi or call signal the app still won’t work

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