Overview

Lightning Tree Campground is one of three family-friendly campgrounds located in the Lake Davis Recreation Area, which offers a wide variety of year-round outdoor experiences. It is the only campground in the area with larger group sites. It is located in a beautifully forested area of the Plumas National Forest in northeastern California.

Natural Features:

Lake Davis covers 4,000 acres and was created in 1967 for recreational opportunities, as well as to rejuvenate fish populations in nearby rivers and supply water to the town of Portola. The lake offers 32 miles of shoreline and is surrounded by tall pine trees. The campground is on the northeastern shore.

The trees provide ample shade for the campground, however privacy is limited by a lack of understory, which is comprised of grass and sagebrush. The campground is situated at an elevation of 5,800 feet.

Smith Peak State Game Refuge borders the lake to the east and the south, creating prime habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds.

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 sites are fully accessible as well. Quite a few sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Utility hookups are not available. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Coin-operated showers and a pay phone are available 4 miles away at Grasshopper Flat Campground.

Approximately 40 overflow campsites are available near the boat ramp and at nearby Mallard Cove. They are functional but provide limited amenities. Both areas have vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection bins.

Nearby Attractions:

The closest town is Portola, California, which is about 13 miles from the campground. It is home to one of the largest railroad museums in the western United States.