Lightning Tree
Plumas National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: BLAIRSDEN, CA, CA
Price: From $38 per night
Price range: $38–$71 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (48 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Showers, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/lightning-tree to be notified when sites open up.
Lightning Tree Campground is a family-friendly hub with 16 sites offering fire rings, picnic tables, showers, and direct access to Lake Davis's 32 miles of shoreline for boating and fishing. Google reviews consistently praise the cleanliness and maintenance, with campers noting well-stocked vault toilets and secluded, spacious sites.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear and Rocky Mountain Mule Deer present in area. Bird species include Flammulated Owl, White-headed Woodpecker, and Western Grebe.
Insider tips for Lightning Tree: Book early — this is a popular federal campground Multiple handicapped-accessible sites available Water spigots require a walk from some sites; plan accordingly
Skip Lightning Tree if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only self-contained RVs suitable. You're visiting outside May-October — campground is closed seasonally.
Best time to visit Lightning Tree: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Big Cove Campground (Chilcoot, CA), Frenchman Campground (Chilcoot, CA), Grasshopper Flat (BLAIRSDEN, CA), Grizzly (BLAIRSDEN, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Lightning Tree
Cell signal at Lightning Tree (BLAIRSDEN, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Multiple handicapped-accessible sites available
Water spigots require a walk from some sites; plan accordingly
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Plumas National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Plumas National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Lightning Tree cost per night?+
What season is Lightning Tree open?+
Does Lightning Tree have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Lightning Tree?+
How do I make reservations at Lightning Tree?+
What is the cell service like at Lightning Tree?+
What season is Lightning Tree open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.