Lightning Tree
Plumas National Forest
Lightning Tree in California takes campsite reservations through Recreation.gov. Popular campgrounds like this often book out months ahead, but sites reopen whenever a camper cancels. Set a free CampSage cancellation alert and we'll email you the moment one frees up.
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. The 32 miles of shoreline has several boat launch facilities and fishing access points. Lightning Tree Campgrou
⚡ EV charging nearby
Nearest DC fast charging: 22.6 mi away (straight line).
Distances are straight-line, not driving — the road can be much longer where a river, a lake or a canyon sits in between. From OpenStreetMap — community-mapped, so plug types can lag reality. Verify on your charging network’s app before counting on a charger.
🔭 Planning further ahead?
We watch the next 60 days closely — that's where cancellations show up. recreation.gov takes bookings out to about February 2027, so there may be 2+ night stays past our window.
🏕️ About this campground
Ratings
💡 Insider tips from campers
❓ Lightning Tree FAQ
How do I reserve a campsite at Lightning Tree?
Lightning Tree in California takes campsite reservations through Recreation.gov. On this page, use the “Book / check availability” button to open the live booking page, see which dates are free, and reserve your site.
How can I get a spot at Lightning Tree when it's fully booked?
Popular campgrounds like Lightning Tree often fill months ahead, but campers cancel every day and those sites reopen for booking. Add your email to the alert on this page and CampSage will start watching Lightning Tree and email you free the moment a cancellation opens up.
Is Lightning Tree a good campground?
Lightning Tree holds an average rating of 4.3/5 from 56 camper ratings on Recreation.gov. The full star breakdown is shown above.
Where is Lightning Tree located?
Lightning Tree is located in Plumas National Forest, California. Tap “Directions” above for driving directions, or see nearby campgrounds lower on this page.
📡 Get notified when this park frees up
Subscribe in your calendar or RSS reader and new openings at this campground show up automatically — no account needed.
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A live cancellation widget for Lightning Tree that updates itself — free, no account, no API key. The snippet includes a one-line credit under the widget; leaving it in is what keeps this free for everyone, and it tells your readers what they are looking at. Preview it.