Sugar Pine Reservoir Campgrounds
Sugar Pine Reservoir is located off Interstate 80 east of Auburn and Foresthill. Two family campgrounds joined by a paved bike and walking trail are situated near the lake. A group campground is on the south side of the lake.
With a 10 MPH speed limit, Sugar Pine Reservoir is popular for swimming, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. The 3.5-mile Joshua M. Hardt Memorial Trail circles Sugar Pine Reservoir and can be accessed from Sugar Pine Dam, Sugar Pine Boat Ramp parking area, or Manzanita Day Use Area.
Seven miles to the east is privately owned Big Reservoir or Morning Star Lake with more camping opportunities.
Nearby are OHV areas: Sugar Pine Staging Area, Parker Flat Staging Area, China Wall Staging Area and Foresthill OHV Area.
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Forbes Creek Group Campground
Located on the south side of Sugar Pine Reservoir at 3,600 feet. The campground is usually open from late May to mid-October.
Campground Amenities
- 2 group sites for tents or RVs. Each site accommodates up to 50 people
- Vault toilets, piped water
- Central cooking areas for each site, and large campfire circles, picnic tables
- Swimming, fishing, boating under 10 MPH
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Forbes Creek Group Campground
Fees: $132 per site
Giant Gap Campground
Located on the northwest shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir amid cedars and pines at an elevation of 3,600 feet. To reach the campground drive 17 miles from Interstate 80 in Auburn on Foresthill Road to Foresthill, then another 9 miles to Sugar Pine Road. Go left on Sugar Pine Road and travel 9 miles to the Sugar Pine Recreation Area, then right 1½ miles. The campground is usually open from the end of April into October.
Campground Amenities
- 25 campsites (20 for tent or RVs and 5 tent-only sites)
- Vault toilets, piped water
- Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
- Swimming, fishing, boating under 10 MPH
- A paved bike/walking trail connects to Shirttail Campground
- Foresthill OHV Trails nearby
- Dump station $10
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Giant Gap Campground
Fees: $24 for single site, $48 for double, $5 for extra vehicle
Robinson Flat Campground
Located 27 miles northeast of Foresthill at 6,800 feet. The approach road is narrow and winding, making it unadvisable for trailers. It is located on the Western States Trail. This remote site has no trash removal.
Campground Amenities
- 7 family campsites and 7 equestrian campsites, vault toilets
- Water is hand-pumped from a well
- Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
- Motorcycle OHV nearby
Reservations: None
Fees: None
Shirttail Creek Campground
Located on the northwest shore of Sugar Pine Reservoir at an elevation of 3,600 feet. It is usually open from May through mid-October.
Campground Amenities
- 29 campsites for tents or RVs and 2 tent-only sites, vault toilets, piped water, showers, dump station
- Picnic tables, fire rings, grills
- Swimming, fishing, boating under 10 MPH
- Dump station $10
- A paved bike/walking trail connects to Giant Gap Campground
- OHV area nearby
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - Shirttail Creek Campground
Fees: $24 for single site, $48 for double, $5 for extra vehicle
Big Reservoir and Morning Star Campgrounds
Located 13 miles northwest of Foresthill off Foresthill Divide Road, on the northwest corner of Big Reservoir, also known as Morning Star Lake. The campground and lake are operated by Morning Star Resort. 18 Forest Service campsites at Big Reservoir Campground are located at the entrance to Morning Star Resort and managed by Morning Star. The campground is open from May until October. It is at 4,100 feet.
Special fishing permits are required from Morning Star Resort to fish in the lake. No boats with gasoline engines are allowed in the lake. Campground opens Memorial Day weekend.
Big Reservoir Campground
Big Reservoir Campground Amenities
- 18 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings
- Piped water, vault toilets
Fees: $25 - $35 per night
Reservations: Morning Star Resort (530) 367-2129
Morning Star Campground
Campground Amenities
- 100 campsites for tents or RVS, plus two group sites for up to 40 or 60 people
- Vault toilets, piped water, free hot showers
- Picnic tables, fire rings, dump station, store
Reservations: Morning Star Resort (530) 367-2129 (Make reservations at least 3 weeks in advance.)
Camping Fees: $25 - $35 per site, $100 - $160 for group sites. Extra vehicles $6 - $20
Other Fees: Pets $5, watercraft $2, camper's fishing license $12, day-use fishing license $25