Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Hutchins
Plumas National Forest, California
About this campground
Hiking trails are only a short drive away with trailheads located in the Mill Creek Campground, Mill Creek Trailhead on the way to Bucks Summit, and at Bucks Summit where the PCT or Bucks Creek Loop trail are located.
Hutchins Group Campground is the perfect location for groups who want to explore the greater Bucks Lake area of the Plumas National Forest.
The campground offers three large group campsites for tent and RV camping.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.883056° N
- Longitude
- 121.199167° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Drive-in
Site types
- Tent sites
- RV / trailer sites
- Group sites
- Standard campsites
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Showers
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Food storage
- Picnic table
- Trash serviceCommunity report
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Overview
Hutchins Group Campground is the perfect location for groups who want to explore the greater Bucks Lake area of the Plumas National Forest. This campground was severely impacted by the Dixie Fire in 2021. Timber salvage management has left the campground barren and hot so prepare by providing adequate shade for your stay.
American Land & Leisure are the concession operators working for PG&E to service the campgrounds, boat ramps and day use areas that are owned by the USDA Forest Service.
Facilities
THIS CAMPGROUND CURRENTLY HAS NO WATER. Water is available at the nearby Sandy Point Day Use Area and Haskins Campground.
The campground offers three large group campsites for tent and RV camping. Each site has a limit of eight vehicles and 24 people.
Multiple tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as well as vault toilets . A roving campground host is available intermittently to answer questions and provide additional information.
There are several boat ramps available around the perimeter of the 1,820-acre lake, including the closest one to Hutchins, at Sandy Point. A convenience store with gas, phone and propane is located within five miles of the campground.
Recreation
The greater Bucks Lake area provides ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and canoeing. The boat ramp at Shady Point provides a boat dock to launch boats, showers, and day use picnicking. Hiking trails are only a short drive away with trailheads located in the Mill Creek Campground, Mill Creek Trailhead on the way to Bucks Summit, and at Bucks Summit where the PCT or Bucks Creek Loop trail are located.
Natural Features
At a 5,000-foot elevation, Hutchins campground provides a great jumping off point to explore the greater Bucks Lake area. Hot days, followed by cooler nights, provide the perfect atmosphere for camping. This campground would be a great place for star gazers night owls who really appreciate a wide open sky for night viewing.
Nearby Attractions
The campground is located within walking distance of Bucks Lake. Bucks Lake Wilderness borders the lake and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail System traverses the surrounding area. A wilderness permit is not required; however, it is advised that hikers and backpackers leave an itinerary at the trailhead or with campground host.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming SiteSwimming
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Wildlife-resistant food storage
- Food Storage Locker
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Group Standard Non-Electric
3 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- RV, Tent, Trailer
- Maximum people
- 25
- Maximum vehicles
- 8
- Maximum vehicle length
- 27 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Maximum stay
- 14 consecutive days
- Holiday-weekend minimum
- 0 days
- Weekend minimum
- 0 days
- Reservation cutoff
- 4 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 25 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 8 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM
- Food storage
- Hutchins's official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Plumas National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific fire or stove rule. Check current posted restrictions before using any flame.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Oct 1, 2026
- Next release
- Apr 15, 2027, 7:00 AM PDT
- Next book-through date
- Oct 1, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Oct 1, 2026
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonJun 6, 2026 – Oct 1, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $50 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 6, 2027 – Oct 1, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $50 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 6, 2028 – Oct 1, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $50 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Campsites will accommodate 8 vehicles. These are included in the site fee; there will be an additional fee for more vehicles. American Land & Leisure are the concession operators working for PG&E to service the campgrounds, boat ramps and day use areas that are owned by the USDA Forest Service.
- OHV use is not allowed in the campsite
- Firewood Bundles are available for purchase from a Campground Host.
- recinfo@pge.com
- Check- In is 2:00pm and Check-Out 11 a.m.
- Campground Map
Getting there & contact
Official directions
Bucks Lake is 10 miles west of Quincy on the Oro-Quincy Highway (Highway 162). From Oroville, travel east on Highway 162 for approximately 45 miles to Bucks Lake Dam Road. Turn left and continue 3 miles to the campground.
Facility contact
530-283-0555