Connectivity
No community carrier report is currently published for this campground.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Running Deer Campground
Plumas National Forest, California
About this campground
Running Deer Campground is located on the eastern shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, giving visitors ample opportunity to fish, swim, boat and enjoy nature.
It is one of eight campgrounds in the area, providing access to a beautiful mountain lake and various hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails that meander through the scenic hills and valleys.
The campground offers dozens of single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 39.735278° N
- Longitude
- 120.953056° 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
- Standard campsites
- Group sitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
- Picnic table
- Alcohol allowedCommunity 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
- Paved parking
- Paved roads
- Pull-through sites
- Big rig friendlyCommunity report
- Back-in sitesCommunity report
- Sanitary dumpCommunity 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
Running Deer Campground is located on the eastern shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, giving visitors ample opportunity to fish, swim, boat and enjoy nature. It is one of eight campgrounds in the area, providing access to a beautiful mountain lake and various hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails that meander through the scenic hills and valleys.
Facilities
The campground offers dozens of single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping. More than a handful of the sites overlook the beautiful lake, while others are surrounded by various trees and shrubbery. A boat ramp is available within the site.
Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Utility hookups are not available and all sites have paved parking spurs. Trash collection bins are available throughout the campground.
Recreation
The 1,615-acre lake provides ample opportunities for visitors to fish, boat, swim and water ski. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of trout and kokanee salmon, among other species of fish.
The Lakeshore Trail, which loops 14.5 miles around the lake, is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trail connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which stretches from 2,650 miles from Canada to Mexico, across three states. A variety of day hikes can be done on portions of the trail.
Natural Features
The campground is located in the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California at an elevation of about 5,000 feet. It is adjacent to the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, which was formed by flooding in the 1960s. The campground and the lake are surrounded by thick stands of pine and fir trees.
There are multiple campgrounds located around the lake as well as cabins on the south side. The campground is also the center of a popular snowmobiling area during winter months.
Nearby Attractions
About 12 miles northeast of the lake lies a small, natural lily pond, called Fowler Lake. It sits at an altitude of 5,446 feet and is a beautiful sight.
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Swimming SiteSwimming
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Camping
- Boating
- BikingMountain Biking
Amenities and facility features
- Flush toilets
- Potable water
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Trash serviceVerify whether the assigned site is pack-in/pack-out
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
41 sites- Reservation type
- Site-Specific
- Equipment
- Boat, Car, Caravan/Camper Van, Fifth Wheel, Large Tent Over 9x12`, Pickup Camper, Pop Up, RV, Small Tent, Tent, Trailer, Vehicle
- Maximum people
- 6
- Maximum vehicles
- 4
- Maximum vehicle length
- 33 ft
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 2:00 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
- Reservation cutoff
- 4 days before arrival
- Maximum published occupancy
- 6 people per site
- Maximum published vehicles
- 4 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM
- Check-out
- 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
- Food storage
- The current official campground record does not publish a campground-specific food-storage rule. Check posted rules before leaving food, trash, toiletries, or scented items unattended.
- Fire and stove use
- Running Deer Campground's official facility record states: Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills.
- 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
- Sep 6, 2026
- Next release
- Dec 15, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- Jun 15, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 6, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $23 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $25 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $23 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2027 – Sep 6, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $25 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $23 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonJun 15, 2028 – Sep 6, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $25 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Bears may frequent the area; use appropriate containers for food and garbage
- For more information on the Plumas National Forest visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas
- 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.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
From Oroville, California, travel east on Highway 162 to Olive Highway. Turn right and continue 5 miles to Forbestown Road. Turn right and go 16 miles to La Porte Road. Turn left and travel 27 miles to La Porte, then 2 miles to signs for the recreation area. Turn right and continue just over 2 miles to the campground.
Facility contact
530-534-6500