Christie Campground

Arrived on Monday not being sure if it would be crowded. We were 1 of 5 in the 3 loops of the campgrounds. Loop 1 and 2 are reservation only and loop 3 is FF however a short conversation with the host and we were able to have our pick of any of the open reservation sites. This is due to 4 day lockout window in the reservation system. Our rate was with Interagency pass. I know the park would not normally be this empty during the old normal times but we certainly enjoyed the solitude, Enjoyed a 2 mile walk down the paved path to Merrill campground and also watching a resident bald eagle fishing in the lake. Cellular was hit or miss depending on where I was sitting in the campsite. No hookups (there is a dump station at Merrill for $5) and the trees kept our solar from reaching peak performance be we certainly enjoyed our time here.

Of the 4 campgrounds at Eagle Lake in Lassen NF, Christie is the farthest from the marina. We were here in mid July, on a Friday with no reservations and there were around half the sites still available. No hookups. We swam in the lake. It was shallow, soft silt bottom, very warm water near the shore but progressively cooler the further out we went. No beach, but people had chairs and canopies set up in the 18inch reeds and mud that line the shore. Lots of boating, floating, and fishing going on. Our favorite activity was riding bikes on the dedicated, paved path that winds through the woods with periodic amazing lake views. It is an easy 5 mile path that goes from the marina(were you can get ice and take showers) by Merrill campground and ends at Christie campground. We had a few mosquitoes in the morning and evenings but not enough to make me put on repellant or retreat inside. The nights cooled down pleasantly. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that the bathrooms should have been cleaner. Most sites have partial to full shade from mature pines. Couldn't really see the lake from the campground.