Recreational Areas
From the Pit River country in the Cascade Range to the King’s River region in the southern Sierra Nevada, our recreational facilities are ready for you to use and enjoy. Large lakes such as Lake Almanor, Lake Spaulding and Lake Britton, man-made for hydroelectric power, are the settings for many of our campgrounds and picnic areas. Most of the lakes offer fishing, swimming and boating.
Looking for information on the Pinecrest recreational area?
Pit River
CloseCampgrounds & Picnic Areas
- Fees and Open & Close dates (PDF, 78 KB)
- Most of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E’s) campgrounds provide tent space, tables and benches, fire rings, refuse containers, water, vault toilets and parking.
- In remote areas, only some of the amenities listed above are provided. Please see the individual campgrounds on this Website for additional information.
- Most campgrounds require a fee and all have an occupancy limit of 14 days.
- Campground hosts do not accept credit cards for individual campsites. Please pay by cash or check.
- PG&E’s campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; however, group facilities require reservations. The group facilities which can be reserved are:
PG&E will be Launching a Reservation Website Soon that will Offer
- On-Line Reservations for a Pilot Selection of PG&E's Campgrounds
Selected sites at the following Campgrounds (these campgrounds will also continue to have First Come First Served sites available):- CASSEL CAMPGROUND
- HASKINS VALLEY CAMPGROUND
- LAKE SPAULDING CAMPGROUND AND DAY USE AREA AND BOAT LAUNCH
- LODGEPOLE CAMPGROUND
- MACUMBER RESERVOIR CAMPGROUND
- NORTH BATTLE CREEK CAMPGROUND
- PONDEROSA FLAT CAMPGROUND
- ROCKY POINT CAMPGROUND
- TROUT CREEK CAMPGROUND
- Immediate Confirmation of Reservation
- Directions to Facilities with Photos & Maps
- Search by Region, Name, Amenities & More!
For 2013 Reservations
- This year, we will begin taking Group Reservations on February 19th for week-long stays. We will begin taking weekend reservations for group campgrounds on March 18th. Please call 916-386-5164 for group reservations.
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) hook-ups are not available at any of our campgrounds.
- For the developed campgrounds, the parking spurs generally accommodate trailers up to 20 or 34 feet, depending upon the location.
- Pets are allowed for a minimal fee. They must have a current rabies vaccination and be on a leash or contained at all times. You are responsible for cleaning up after your pets.
- Most picnic areas have tables, benches and vault toilets. Many areas have running water and refuse containers.
The Season
- PG&E facilities are located at various elevations ranging from sea level to 8,200 feet.
- Most low elevation day use areas are open year-round. The day use areas at higher elevations have a shorter season.
- Camping facilities generally open around Memorial Day and close around Labor Day.
- Please click on the link above to view the proposed/actual opening and closing dates.
PG&E is helping to improve Pinecrest Recreation Area
PG&E and the U.S. Forest Service are partnering to rehabilitate the day use area, build new restrooms, improve the beaches and docks and build a new picnic area, boat dock and restroom on the East Shore of Pinecrest Lake. The construction of the improvements will be happening over a four year period. For more details and to see conceptual drawings visit the Pinecrest recreational area page.
Will You Help Us?
We need your help to achieve our goal of providing enjoyable recreation facilities for your use. Here are some of the important things you can do.
Help Protect the Environment
- During your stay, you may observe remnants of a prehistoric Native American culture. Please remember that archeological sites are protected by law. Any ground disturbances or collecting of artifacts is strictly prohibited.
- To protect environmental resources, all vehicles must stay on established roads and within established parking areas. Driving on lakebeds and off-road is strictly prohibited.
- To prevent forest fires and to protect environmental resources, campfires are allowed only in designated fire rings.
Don’t Move a Mussel
- The invasion of quagga and zebra mussels from the eastern United States could be devastating to lakes, reservoirs and rivers of California.
- If your boat has been in infested waters, it could be carrying invasive mussels. These creatures usually spread to new habitats on boats trailered by the public or commercial haulers.
- Mussels attach to almost anything: boats, aquatic plants, bait buckets, and other aquatic recreational equipment.
- You could unintentionally transport microscopic mussel larvae in the water of your live well or bilge.
- An adult female zebra mussel can release up to 1 million eggs in one season.
- Please visit PG&E's Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention Program to learn how you can help.
Public Information
Grizzly Forebay Recreation Facilities will be closed 5/28/2013 - 6/20/2013 due to dam maintenance activities (PDF, 40 KB)
There will be a free Boating Safety Event, "Operation Safe Boat", on May 25, 2013 at Lake Almanor (click here (PDF, 81 KB) for more information).
As a result of the Chip's fire in 2012 there will be increased logging traffic around Butt Valley Reservoir, Humbug Valley and Canyon Dam from April to November 2013.
Please be aware that the access routes to the following recreation areas will be experiencing increased usage by logging trucks:
- Humbug Road to Yellow Creek Campground Seneca Road to Camp Connery
- Butt Valley Road to Ponderosa Campground, Cool Springs Campground and Ray Adams Day Use and Boat Launch
- Seneca Road to Camp Connery
Allow extra time to reach your destination, and follow all traffic control guidelines.
CalTrans will be closing Highway 32 (from Butte Meadows to Highway 36) for approximately 3 weeks in June, proposed schedule is Monday - Thursday closure and Friday - Sunday it will be open. Please check CalTrans website for updates: http://www.dot.ca.gov/
Links of Interest
