Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Modoc National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Tulelake, CA, CA
Price: From $15 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (47 reviews)
Season: May through October
The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.The Medicine Lake Recreation Area is comprised of five campgrounds; Medicine, A.H. Hogue, Hemlock, Headquarters, and Schonchin Springs Campgrounds.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/medicine-lake-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers scenic camping with excellent recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking at 6,770 feet elevation in the Medicine Lake Highlands. Campers praise the relatively warm lake, low crowds most of the year, and stunning starry nights.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, Osprey, Western Kingbird, Red Crossbill, Brewer's Blackbird, Western Fence Lizard, and Common Sagebrush Lizard present in the area.
Insider tips for Medicine Lake Recreation Area: Book early as this is a popular federal campground Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available Expect high pollen on the lake during certain times of year
Skip Medicine Lake Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites. You plan to visit outside May through October—seasonal closure.
Best time to visit Medicine Lake Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during this period only.
Nearby campgrounds: Little Mt. Hoffman Lookout (MCCLOUD, CA), Cattle Camp Campground (Ca) (CA), Camp 4 Group Campground (McCloud, CA), Juanita Lake Group Campsite (Macdoel, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Cell signal at Medicine Lake Recreation Area (Tulelake, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet.The Medicine Lake Recreation Area is comprised of five campgrounds; Medicine, A.H. Hogue, Hemlock, Headquarters, and Schonchin Springs Campgrounds.
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 as this is a popular federal campground
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available
Expect high pollen on the lake during certain times of year
Campground operates seasonally during this period only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From McCloud go east on US Hwy 89 south for 16 miles to Forest Service Road 15/Harris Spring Rd. Turn left on Road 15 and go 4.4 miles to Forest Service Road 49/Medicine Lake Road. Follow the signs 27.5 miles to Medicine Lake. From Tulelake take US Hwy 139 south for 21 miles to Forest Service Road 97. Turn right on Road 97 and go 24 miles turning right on Road 49. Drive 2 more miles turning left into the entrance of Medicine Lake Recreation Area. Follow the signs to your final campground destina
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 — Modoc National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Modoc National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Medicine Lake Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Medicine Lake Recreation Area open?+
Does Medicine Lake Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Medicine Lake Recreation Area?+
What season is Medicine Lake Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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