Blue Lake Campground

Heading west along US-20 and then south onto Hwy 395 from South Eastern OR into Northern CA, we pre-planned staying 1-2 nights at this CG. There are some sections of expansion-compaction bump issues on the roads to get to this CG (all are asphalt), but MAN is it worth it! We arrived on a Thursday @ around 5:00pm, and it was about 85% full already! We were still able to get a great spot (Site 47) although all the sites closest to the lake were already occupied. We actually really liked our site, since even though the sites closer to the lake are incredible, they are also right next to the road where people drive in and out, so it’s really a matter of taste. Next time we come here we will try to arrive earlier and get a site next to the lake, and see which we end up preferring. Even the lakeside sites are elevated though, so it’s not like you have beachy areas/flat land to relax on.

Surprisingly, our rig was telling us the temp here - mid July 2020 - was around 95 degrees at an over 6,000 ft elevation - at 5 pm!!! So it does get HOT here - even in this high elevation! We were really surprised. No hook-ups here, so you’ll have to endure the heat in the summer, but after the 1st day it did cool down some. Expect some bugs - but we didn’t experience mosquitoes - thank goodness! Google Maps, as per usual, doesn’t really give you accurate timing on how far out from the closest town this CG is. This CG is about 15 miles out, and took us longer simply b/c we went slow due to the bumpy asphalt road. But the drive from Alturas to the CG is simply stunning. Lots of farmland, meadows, and rocky outcrops. There are lots of BLM opportunities along the road, too - but we knew we wanted lakeside camping and were willing to pay for it.

You will definitely need to level your rig here, but it isn’t too bad. Compared to some BLM land we’re used to - it was easy. There are picnic tables & fire rings at each site, plus public bathrooms and spigots for water placed sporadically. There is a host on-site (Hi, Lonny!), and there is a self-pay station (CASH OR CHECK ONLY, BE WARNED!) - it was $12 per night at our time of visit. The sites are very large and spaced nicely - a real bonus. Within 15 minutes of arrival and sitting down, we saw two Osprey and heard tons of birds! So if you are a birder, this CG is for you! The CG also seemed to be popular with fishermen/women - but we didn’t inquire how successful any of them were. We would absolutely stay here again - it is in such a stunning setting!

Great Forest service campground. We were there early season - Mid-May and were the only ones in the campground. Water was not yet turned on and campground not officially open so no fees. Some of the sites are level - but many require leveling. Fishing at this lake can be excellent - wild brown trout and stocked rainbows. We have stayed here three times so far - October (snowed), April (snowed), and May (was beautiful!). Birdwatching is great as well - both Bald Eagles and Ospreys fishing all day long.