Lake Almanor Camping | Northern California’s Best Kept Secret

Camping in Lake Almanor, whether exploring it in a tent or from an RV, is one of Northern California’s best-kept secrets.

Lake Almanor is one of the state’s ten biggest lakes. It is surrounded by an incredibly lush forest, and it invites both residents and suburbanite vacationers alike to slow down and take it all in.

My family was fortunate enough to move to the area several years ago, so Lake Almanor is quite literally in my backyard. And as a new owner of a teardrop trailer, this beautiful lake and its surrounding forests have become my personal playground as I learn how to RV camp.

I have compiled my favorite Lake Almanor camping resources to help you plan your next trip, in my neck of the woods. 

  

This post is all about camping in Lake Almanor, Northern California’s best-kept gem. 

Lake Almanor

The Lake Almanor Basin is located in the northeast corner of California, about 3 hours north of Sacramento. It was formed when the Canyon Dam was built on the North Fork Feather River. After the initial dam was completed in 1914, it caused a major flood over the community that was still inhabited there. Parts of this town remain buried underwater, while a few remnants of the original village were moved to the modern-day community of Prattville. 

The current dam was completed in 1927 by the Great Western Power company. Lake Almanor actually got its name from a compilation of the names of the three daughters of Great Western Power’s Vice President at the time. Their names were Alice, Martha, and Eleanor, hence, Lake Al-ma-nor.

The lake is currently owned by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and is used for hydroelectricity production. It sits immersed in the Lassen National Forest, with the famed Lassen Peak volcano as its crowning backdrop.

(Photo taken from the deck of our first home on Lake Almanor)

At 13 miles long and 6 miles wide, water-loving visitors will have plenty of room to spread out in the county’s largest lake. And with 52 square miles of fishable, swimmable, and boatable surface area, it definitely feels like it when you spend the day there. No matter which part of the lake I visit, it never feels crowded, even at the peak of summer. 

Lake Almanor Weather

Sitting at a 4,500 feet elevation, Lake Almanor gets an annual average snowfall of 87 inches. So, while world-class fishing and spectacular views are enjoyed year-round, RV campground camping is limited to the warmer weather months of May-October.

(Image of the Almanor Basin Water Trails Map)

July is the hottest month in the area. Average highs are 83.9 Fahrenheit, with July lows around 48 degrees. Water temperature in the summer can get to 75 degrees. Perfect.

If boating for the day, I like to check out Lakemonster’s site for the real-time nitty-gritty on weather, winds, and water temperature so I’m sure to be prepared. 

(Photo taken from Lake Almanor’s East Shore)

High Winds

Plan ahead for high winds! Lake Almanor gets quite windy in the afternoons, roughing up the waters. So, plan to be out of the water by the afternoon, or you can stick to the west shore of the lake, where the afternoon waters are more manageable.

Lake Almanor Map

There are dozens of maps of Lake Almanor that can be found online, like this Lake Almanor Campground Map. But, if you plan to take full advantage of all that the lake has to offer, then you need one of the local offerings, such as the Almanor Basin Water Trails Map. 

I found mine alongside the other area maps and travel guides in one of the many businesses around the lake that offers it for sale for $10. 

(Photo of locally purchased area maps & travel guides)

The water trails map was specifically created for outdoor water enthusiasts. What boaters, kayakers, water skiers, fishermen, and campers can expect to find in this super useful resource:

• Shoreline public access locations.
• Public boat launch locations. 
• Locations of the 3 full-service marinas, with boat rentals and fuel.
• The best fishing spots.
• Information on the local businesses providing recreational-related services, including camp and sporting gear. 
• Campground information. 
• Local weather and wildlife information. 

(Front Image of the Almanor Basin Water Trails Map)

Lake Almanor Campgrounds

There are over 300 campsites in the surrounding Lassen National Forest and Caribou Wilderness region. In other words, there is no shortage of campgrounds and RV parks around the Lake Almanor area. 

Full hookup RV resorts with the hope of a water view are our favorite:

(Photos taken from the inside of our camper)

Lake Almanor’s recreational areas and communities are divided into sections around the lake, with easy highway and county road access.

North Shore of Lake Almanor (off Hwy 36):

• North Shore RV Campground: Cabins, RV & Tents, full hookups, dump station, pet friendly, showers, laundry, store, boat ramp, boat rentals

(Photos taken from the North Shore Campgrounds during wildfire season) 

Lake Almanor Peninsula (off A13):

• Big Cove Resort: RV only, full hook-ups, dump station, pet friendly, showers, store, boat ramp, boat rentals
• Big Springs Resort: RV only, full hook-ups, TV hook-up, dump station, pet friendly,  showers
• Paul Bunyan Resort: RV & Tents, full hook-ups, TV hook-ups, dump station, pet friendly, showers, boat ramp

East Shore of Lake Almanor (off Hwy 147):

• Lake Cove Resort: Cabins, RV & Tents, full hook-ups, dump station, pet friendly, showers, laundry
• Lake Haven Resort: Cabins & RV sites, full hookups, dump station, showers, boat ramp 
• Vagabond Resort: RV only, full hookups, TV hookups, internet, pet friendly, showers, boat ramp

(Photos taken on a camping trip at Plumas Pines Resort)

West Shore of Lake Almanor (off Hwy 89):

• Plumas Pines Resort: Cabins & RV sites, full hookups, dump station, pet friendly, store, restaurant, boat ramp, boat rentals
• Wilson’s Camp Prattville Resort: Cabins & RV sites, full hookups, dump station, pet friendly, showers, store, restaurant, boat ramp
• Almanor Campground: RV & Tents, running water, pet friendly

Lake Almanor Things To Do

(Photo of various lake rentals available on Lake Almanor’s West Shore)

Lake Almanor Fishing

The year-round fishing at Lake Almanor is amazing.  I mean, five-pound Brown and Rainbow Trouts, or Smallmouth Bass? You might also come across Largemouth Bass, Chinook Salmon, Channel Catfish & Brown Bullhead. Either way, you’re in for a treat. 

Of course, Lake Almanor fishing maps are also available online. This one from NorCal Fish Reports lists the latest fish plants, in addition to the most recent fishing reports. Or this one from Free Hunt and Fish Maps, which also includes some pretty stellar hunting information.

One of the local fishing resources you’ll find is the Almanor Basin Water Trails Map. A close-up of mine below shows the included fishing key, which details the best spots along the lake to find specific fish:

(Screenshot Image of the Almanor Basin Water Trails Map)

The Almanor HEX Hatch

In June and July, people come from all over to witness the world-famous Almanor Hexagenia (HEX) Hatch. This is when the larvae of these huge mayflies make their way from the mud floor of the lake, rise to the surface to hatch, then try to fly away before being eaten by all the birds and fish that are hovering nearby.

Fly Fisherman magazine actually put out an article on seasonal strategies for fishing in Lake Almanor. Starting with the Almanor HEX Hatch. Who knew such a relaxing pastime required a strategic plan?

Bird Watching

Bird watching? Yes! Lake Almanor is a major breeding habitat for migratory, breeding, and wintering birds. Bald eagles are commonly seen soaring high above the pines. In fact, we were treated to three magnificent bald eagle sightings on our last camping trip. Ospreys are also hunting nearby and can be seen diving into the water for live fish.

Western and Clarks grebes come to breed between June and September and will lay up to 4 eggs. They build their floating nests in the shallow waters of the northern part of the lake, in one of the largest nesting colonies in California. So, if you see a bunch of birds appearing to run across the lake’s surface in unison, you are witnessing their courting ritual, called “rushing display.”

Other seasonal visitors include Tundra Swans, American White Pelicans, or White-Faced Ibis, so if birds fascinate you too, don’t forget the binoculars.

Hunting

For the deer hunters out there, Lake Almanor is in the C4 deer hunting zone. Deer season here is usually 15 days in late September.

Scenic Trails

For the bikers, hikers, and scenic walkers, the Lake Almanor Recreation Trail is a flat 9.6-mile long trail that follows the lake’s west shore. Access to this easy stroll from the southern trailhead can be found at the Canyon Dam Boat Launch off Highway 89.

To start the trail off on the northern side, turn northeast on the unpaved road opposite of the Humbug Road turnoff on Highway 89. The trailhead can be picked up about a quarter of a mile down before coming to the archery range.

If you’d like to venture off a little further from the lake, check out some of the many hiking trails in the nearby areas, including the famed Pacific Crest Trail.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

No visit to the area is complete without a trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen Peak volcano, or Mount Lassen, as it’s commonly referred to, lives inside the park, about 45 miles from Lake Almanor. Lassen Peak is a volcano measuring 10,457 feet tall. Its last eruptions from 1914-1917 created black lava beds, steaming lakes, bubbling magma, and lava tubes almost a third of a mile long that are an unbelievable sight. 

Don’t plan on rushing through the park. Where else are you going to find all four types of volcanos, found in the world, in one place? There are also more than 150 miles of biking and hiking trails and seven campgrounds to entice you to stay and explore the natural wonders found here. 

Conclusion

There is nothing like camping in Lake Almanor. Whether relaxing at the campsite or jam-packing the day taking in all of the local marvels, once here, you won’t soon forget it.

This post was all about camping in Lake Almanor.