Lightning Tree Campground
Plumas National Forest, California
Sold out? We check Lightning Tree Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.
Cancellation alerts
Sold out for your dates?
Free to start. Email alerts included.
As of October 2026, Lightning Tree Campground is a campground in Plumas National Forest, California with 16 campsites. Lightning Tree Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Lightning Tree Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Lightning Tree Campground is located at 39.9255° N, 120.5105° W.
- people allowed on 8 of 16 sites
- 8
- people allowed on each of the 8 largest sites
- 16
Lightning Tree Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Campsites at Lightning Tree Campground
- Standard 16
- Accessible 4
Amenities
- showers
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography, stargazing.
All sites at Lightning Tree Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the AREA LIGHTNING TREE loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 002 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 005 | Standard | 16 | Accessible |
| 006 | Standard | 8 | - |
| 009 | Standard | 8 | - |
| 012 | Standard | 8 | Accessible |
| 013 | Standard | 8 | - |
| 016 | Standard | 8 | - |
| 017 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 024 | Standard | 8 | - |
| 025 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 027 | Standard | 16 | Accessible |
| 030 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 031 | Standard | 8 | Accessible |
| 034 | Standard | 16 | - |
| 037 | Standard | 8 | - |
About Lightning Tree Campground
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) 836-2575.
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
Rules and notices at Lightning Tree Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on October 1, 2026. Check Lightning Tree Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Generally, campsites will accommodate 2 vehicles. The first vehicle is included in the site fee, the second vehicle fee will be collected onsite at the daily rate posted on the fee sign.
Some sites are available on a first-come, first serve basis.
Bears frequent the area; practice safe food storage techniques. Bear resistant lockers are not provided. Click here for more information.
Frequent strong winds can cause the lake to become very hazardous for small craft.
Water skiing and jet skiing are not permitted on the lake.
Click here for more information on the Plumas National Forest.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Of road vehicles are not allowed on any campground roads.
Check- In is 2:00pm and Check-Out is Noon
Campground Map
Lightning Tree Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Lightning Tree Campground?
Lightning Tree Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 16 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.
How do I find last-minute availability at Lightning Tree Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Lightning Tree Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Lightning Tree Campground have?
Lightning Tree Campground has 16 campsites.
More campgrounds in Plumas National Forest
Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.
- Gold Lake 4 X 4 Campground availability14 sites
- Black Mountain Lookout reservations1 site
- is Crocker Guard Station open1 site
- Hutchins campground availability3 sites
- Lakes Basin campground reservations25 sites
- is Wyandotte a Campground open12 sites
Campgrounds
Browse Campsites
Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.
California
8 popular campgrounds
- Atwell Mill Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Canyon View Group Sites
- Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
- Indian Cove Group Campground
Oregon
8 popular campgrounds
- Little Crater Lake Campground
- Cave Creek Campground
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Big Lake West Campground
- Bolan Lake Campground
- Cavitt Creek Falls Recreation Site
- Clearwater Falls Campground
- Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
Utah
8 popular campgrounds
- Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
- Devils Garden Campground
- Natural Bridges Campground
- North Campground (Ut)
- South Campground (Ut)
- Sunset Campground (Ut)
- Watchman Campground
- Anderson Meadow Campground (Fishlake NF, Ut)
Ohio
8 popular campgrounds
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Grand Lake West Bank Marina
- Kiser Lake State Park Kiser Lake Grandview Area Tie Ups Campground
- Lake Logan State Park Lake Logan Marina Beach 1-18 Campground
- Lake Loramie State Park Earls Island Dock Back Campground
- Pike Lake State Park Pike Lake Cabins and Day Use Shelters
- Scioto Trail State Park Stewart Lake Campground
- Buck Creek State Park G Dock Campground
- Buckeye Lake State Park Fairfield Beach a Docks Campground
Minnesota
8 popular campgrounds
- Cass Lake Loop Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacial Lakes State Park Lower Campground
- Jeanette Lake Campground
- Lake Bronson State Park Lakeside Extension Campground
- Lake Maria State Park Backpack Campsites
- Lake Shetek State Park Prairie Campground
- Maplewood State Park Grass Lake Campground: Hollow Loop
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.