Lightning Tree Campground, Portola, CA

Lightning Tree Campground is located in the Beckwourth Ranger District, Plumas National Forest (1 hr 1 min northwest of Reno, NV) with an elevation of 5,795 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 34 and 94 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $38.00 to $71.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (41)

4.2 out of 5

5 star		56%
4 star		24%
3 star		5%
2 star		5%
1 star		7%

@EricG3571303 · Camped on Aug 30, 2024 at Campsite #13

Great spot with easy access to the water

@JimLC1347134EA · Camped on Aug 22, 2024 at Campsite #5

Great camp host, sites were really clean.

@PatrickS396870 · Camped on Aug 10, 2024 at Campsite #37

beautiful location

@JaniesawA9497F · Camped on Jul 31, 2024 at Campsite #5

Camp host was very nice. The site was not, it was covered in hard bushes and not ideal for tent camping at all. We were able to move to another site that had some weeds/bushes cleared but we were all cramped into one area. I didnt know half the sites were owned by government and they are not maintained at all. If we wanted a good site we would have to pay again. No lake access so we had to drive 15 minutes which wasnt bad. Definitely will not be back to this campground.

@MAGGIED5408859 · Camped on Jul 1, 2024 at Campsite #34

Other than the heat, it was an excellent experience. The camp host is amazing and her grandkids were nice and played with our son. The campground is one of our favorites as its usually not crowded and the spaces are spaced out well so youre not on top of each other. This is an excellent place to camp.

@HenryHF2C1D684 · Camped on Jun 14, 2024 at Campsite #34

Great campground away from everything else. Saw lots of wildlife right from our campsite. Bathrooms weren't stocked for the first few days we were there which was rough, but overall a nice campground.

@LeslieanE51743 · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #5

The wonderful camp host even came and greeted us the first night we've never had that happen she's a wonderful gal! Campsite was ready clean and tidy restrooms were kept supplied we will be back to lightning tree our favorite campsite number five

@AllisonH674550 · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #9

We stayed at site#9. A great campsite except for a few things:this one is right by the trail to the lake so there is some foot traffic.the grill over the fire pit was a little unstable. It is a little buggy, lots of gnats and some mosquitoes.It was a bit unclear if the water was drinkable or not, there was a sign at the front that says non potable water but the water spickets didn't have a sign on them.The camp host wasn't super attentive we didn't see them until we were leaving, it would've been nice if they greeted us and told us where to get more firewood.Other than beautiful area. Nice quiet campsite. Saw lots of cool wildlife. It's nice being close to the lake.

@HenryHF2C1D684 · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #17

Nice quiet campground away from everyone else. This site was very large with plenty of space for a big group. A little walk to the water and the boat ramp area, but it's a well marked out trail.

@JSM5D6613898E0 · Camped on Aug 17, 2023 at Campsite #24

Even though Lightning Tree campground only had three sites available to reserve, there were many first come first served sites available. When I was there, the campground was only 25% full which made it very nice and quiet. My friends found a first come first serve site and I found a spot directly across from them. When the camp host came around, I told her I wanted to be near my friends and she offered to switch my reservation. She was very nice and friendly and cleared debris and dust from the pad.

@LorettaWA3AE53 · Camped on Aug 4, 2023 at Campsite #25

Beautiful campground and campsite. Clean and well kept. TP in toilet was getting very low by late Saturday. Otherwise a great experience.

@NataliyaMBFFF7 · Camped on Jul 28, 2023 at Campsite #12

too many bugs. difficult to find the lake.

@JohnH2789214 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #31

We stayed at Lightning tree due to the close proximity to Greaeagle Ca. Stacy is a great camp host and the amenities(bathrooms, etc) are all very clean.

@AndreaS6053955 · Camped on Jul 1, 2023 at Campsite #27

We always love this campground.

@LeoandL75E5CF7 · Camped on Jun 16, 2023 at Campsite #5

We had a wonderful time in this awesome campground, the camp hosts were amazing. We even saw a bear when driving around looking for swim spots for the future. Campsite 5 in Lighting Tree is our favorite so glad I was able to enjoy as I'm am handicapped and the site along with the restrooms were excellent, we have another trip planned in July and we even added another trip in August! Perfect spot.

@JosephC1997223 · Camped on Jun 6, 2023 at Campsite #17

FANTASTIC and beautiful scenery and it was SUPER quiet and peaceful. Only problem was mosquitos. Make sure you bring bug spray you will need it.

@JessK9620801 · Camped on Oct 2, 2022 at Campsite #9

Love it here, we try to come every year but have missed out due to fires and covid recently. Felt great to return. Would love it if they let us camp in the winter again, that was what really made this place super-special. There is nothing like camping Lake Davis and the Sierra in Winter, but you better LOVE the cold and come prepared for SNOW.

@DavidH4978786 · Camped on Jul 22, 2022 at Campsite #16

Always a great campsite to stay at

@CherylM3564547 · Camped on Jul 18, 2022 at Campsite #6

not much shade! no trash cans for a mile camp next door has flush toilets and showers! way too far (1/2 mile) to water! Big RVers allowed to run their generators until 11 PM!

@RodneyA4088439 · Camped on Jul 1, 2022 at Campsite #31

LT is always a joy.

@jonathanp83438 · Camped on Jun 16, 2022 at Campsite #17

The good: Beautiful campground, cell signal, most sites are spaced out. Close to hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and some ohv dirt roads. Running water available through many spigots. If you're trying to get away from the "busy" campgrounds, and prefer a more conservative quiet experience, then I would recommend this campground. If you are a noisy camper, with barking dogs or loud kids, then you'll likely get the evil eye from a retiree. The bad: The driveway around the campground can get narrow, especially for longer trailers, and I was concerned about blowing a tire on the 12inch high pegs that force you to stay on the paved driveway. The staff are not doing a good job trimming back the trees, as my trailer got scuffed by a few of them. Also, the ashes in the firepit are not being removed frequently enough. Our firepit was over half full. Vault toilets are always a negative, I believe either Grass Hopper or Grizzly has flush toilets. If bears frequent the area, why not provide bear boxes if you're a tent camper? While you do have a cell signal, the speed can be slow. The lake level is low, so expect at least a 1 mile hike down to the lake. It's much more convenient to drive down to the lake from one of the boat launches. Conclusion: My wife and I had a relaxing, refreshing time at this campground, and we will go back again. We hope this campground does not continue to be neglected.

@EmilyZ8940199 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #16

There was a huge fire raging near the lake and I wasn't able to cancel the reservation for any kind of a refund 7 days prior to my reservation.

@EmilyZ371 · Camped on Aug 13, 2021 at Campsite #16

There was a huge fire raging near the lake and I wasn't able to cancel the reservation for any kind of a refund 7 days prior to my reservation.

@KelseyR394 · Camped on Jul 2, 2021 at Campsite #24

Beautiful area. Campsites well spaced. Bathrooms were kept very clean.

@KelseyR8218946 · Camped on Jul 2, 2021 at Campsite #24

Beautiful area. Campsites well spaced. Bathrooms were kept very clean.

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