A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Red Feather California

Forest Service campground in Plumas National Forest, Plumas County, California. 5,485 feet. 26.1 miles from Portola.

Managed by
Forest Service Plumas National Forest
Elevation
5,485 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
59 59 standard non-electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Plumas County

Overview

Red Feather Campground is located on the eastern shore of Little Grass Valley Reservoir, providing visitors with 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 trails that meander through the scenic hills and valleys.

Recreation

The 1,615-acre lake provides ample opportunities for visitors to fish, boat, swim, and water ski. Anglers can expect a catch of a variety of trout and kokanee salmon, among other species of fish. Fishing licenses are required. The Lakeshore Trail, which loops 13.5 miles around the lake, is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trail connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, which stretches from 2,650 miles, across three states from Canada to Mexico. The Lakeshore Trail is popular among day hikers.

Facilities

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 characteristic mixed-conifer forest and alpine meadows. The Maidu boat launch ramp is located nearby, adjacent to Little Beaver Campground and the Maidu Amphitheater. Campsites are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. Utility hookups are not available. All sites have paved parking spurs. Bear-resistant trash collection bins are located throughout the campground.

Natural Features

The campground is located in the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains of northern California at an elevation of about 5,100 feet. It is on the eastern shore of the Little Grass Valley Reservoir, which was formed by dam construction and subsequent flooding of the valley in the 1960s. The campground and the lake are surrounded by thick stands of pine and fir trees. Several public campgrounds are located around the lake, as well as private cabins on the south side.

Nearby Attractions

About 12 miles northeast of the lake at an elevation of 5,446 feet lies a small, natural lily pond, called Fowler Lake. This beautiful site is perfect for day hikes and picnics.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site
  • water sports

The land around Red Feather California

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 8, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.