Running Deer Campground
Plumas National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: La Porte, CA, CA
Price: From $23 per night
Price range: $23–$25 per night
Rating: 3.4 out of 5 (17 reviews)
Season: May through October
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. More than a handful of the sites overl
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/running-deer-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Running Deer Campground sits on the eastern shore of Little Grass Valley Reservoir with access to fishing, boating, swimming, and nearby hiking and mountain biking trails. Google reviewers consistently praise the lake proximity and clean flush toilets (4.6/5 rating from 15 reviews).
Wildlife alert: Bears present in area—store all food in coolers and bins inside your vehicle. Also verify presence of coyotes, Western Wood-Pewee, Spotted Sandpiper, and American Goshawk.
Insider tips for Running Deer Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground with limited availability. Some sites are first-come, first-served while others are reservable; call ahead to confirm availability. Bring your own cooler for food storage; bears actively target unprotected food and ice chests.
Skip Running Deer Campground if: You need RV hookups—only electric hookups available; most sites have no hookups and suitable for self-contained RVs only.. You require shower facilities—none available at this campground.. You visit outside May-October—campground is closed seasonally..
Best time to visit Running Deer Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Horse Campground (Oroville, CA), Little Beaver A Campground (Oroville, CA), Deanes Valley Family Cg (Ca) Plumas Nf (Bucks Lake, CA), Ramshorn (Nevada City, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Running Deer Campground
Cell signal at Running Deer Campground (La Porte, 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.
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. More than a handful of the sites overlook the beautiful lake, while others are surrounded by various trees and shrubbery.
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 with limited availability.
Some sites are first-come, first-served while others are reservable; call ahead to confirm availability.
Bring your own cooler for food storage; bears actively target unprotected food and ice chests.
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.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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.
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 Running Deer Campground cost per night?+
What season is Running Deer Campground open?+
Does Running Deer Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Running Deer Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Running Deer Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Running Deer Campground?+
What season is Running Deer Campground 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.