Campground
Plumas National Forest, California
Lightning Tree Campground (5,800 feet) is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area.
The campground offers more than three dozen single and double capacity campsites, available for tent and RV camping.
Lake Davis is situated in the hills north of the town of Portola in the Plumas National Forest.
Know before you arrive
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Official campground guide
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 22, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Aug 31, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2027 – Sep 28, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Aug 31, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Management | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $38 | — | — |
| First-come, First-served SeasonSep 1, 2028 – Sep 28, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $71 | — | — |
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
From Reno, travel north on Highway 395 to Highway 70 and turn west to Portola. From Portola, take County Road 126 north for 7 miles, then County Road 112 to the east side of Lake Davis. Continue approximately 5 miles to the campground, which is on the left.