Patterson Guard Station
Modoc National Forest — lakeside, hiking
Location: Alturas, CA, CA
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Season: May through October
*Altitude is 7,080 feet above sea level* Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees, Patterson Guard Station has stood since 1921. It served the Modoc National Forest as a fully staffed fire office and guard station until 1981. Just a few footsteps from the Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from the wilderness boundary, Patterson Guard Station can be your basecamp for trips into the South Warner Wilderness or the perfect place to disconnect and relax.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Boat Launch, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/patterson-guard-station to be notified when sites open up.
Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees at 7,080 feet elevation, Patterson Guard Station offers a quiet basecamp for wilderness trips into South Warner or a place to disconnect. One reviewer called it charming, relaxing, and perfectly quiet with no cell phone service.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, Belding's Ground Squirrel, Northern Red-shafted Flicker, and Townsend's Solitaire documented in the area
Insider tips for Patterson Guard Station: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 1 tent site Located just a few footsteps from Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from South Warner Wilderness boundary Firewood available for sale on-site
Skip Patterson Guard Station if: You need hookups — no hookups available. You require cell phone service — no service in area. You're visiting outside May-October — campground is seasonal.
Best time to visit Patterson Guard Station: May-October — Seasonal operations run May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Blue Lake Campground Group Site - Modoc Nf (Ca) (CEDARVILLE, CA), Aspen Grove Campground (Ca) (Susanville, CA), West Eagle Campground (Susanville, CA), Christie Campground (SUSANVILLE, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Patterson Guard Station
Cell signal at Patterson Guard Station (Alturas, 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.
*Altitude is 7,080 feet above sea level* Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees, Patterson Guard Station has stood since 1921. It served the Modoc National Forest as a fully staffed fire office and guard station until 1981. Just a few footsteps from the Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from the wilderness boundary, Patterson Guard Station can be your basecamp for trips into the South Warner Wilderness or the perfect place to disconnect and relax.
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 federal campground with only 1 tent site
Located just a few footsteps from Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from South Warner Wilderness boundary
Firewood available for sale on-site
Seasonal operations run 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.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Alturas, California, travel South on U.S. Highway 395 for 18 miles to the town of Likely and Turn left (East) onto County Rd 64. Continue for 9 miles toward Jess Valley and stay right at the fork toward Blue Lake (Blue Lake Road), this road is not maintained for winter travel . The pavement ends in approximately 6.5 miles, and the road becomes Forest Road 39N01 (South Warner Road). Continue 7.5 miles and turn left (North) at the sign for Patterson Campground (Forest Road 39N28), stay left t
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 Patterson Guard Station cost per night?+
What season is Patterson Guard Station open?+
Does Patterson Guard Station have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Patterson Guard Station?+
How do I make reservations at Patterson Guard Station?+
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●Data sources on this page
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