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

Forest Service campground

Silver Lake Campground

Forest Service campground in Plumas National Forest, Plumas County, California. About 6,000 feet. 28.7 miles from Paradise.

Managed by
Forest Service Plumas National Forest
Elevation
About 6,000 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
9 9 standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Plumas County

Overview

Large landscape views of trees and valleys can be seen along the six mile drive to Silver Lake. Sitting at just over 6,000 ft in elevation, the Silver lake campground set up for solitude and tranquility. The sites are spread out and isolated to provide for an optimal quiet experience to enhance the camping experience. Easy access to hiking trails, high alpine lakes and OHV riding is just a short distance from the campground.

Recreation

High alpine lakes, granite boulders and blue bird skies are treats for those who camp here. Access to hiking is located along the eastern side of Silver Lake. Continue up and on to Bucks Summit on the PCT or climb the prominent Spanish Peak where the ole look out once stood.

OHV routes also leave from the campground area but were severely impacted by the Dixie Fire in 2021 and have not been maintained so be aware of hazard trees and other debris that might slow down your route.

Facilities

There are eight first come/ first serve campsites. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and food storage locker.

No trash service is provided

Vault toilets are located in two areas of the campground

Parking for day use and hiking is located near the lake by the vault toilets

The Mount Hough Ranger Station maintains this campground and uses the fees collected to purchase cleaning supplies, toilet paper and general cleaning of campsites.

Natural Features

High alpine lakes, granite boulders and blue bird skies are treats for those who camp here. Access to hiking is located along the eastern side of Silver Lake. Continue up and on to Bucks Summit on the PCT or climb the prominent Spanish Peak where the ole look out once stood.

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

The land around Silver Lake Campground

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 February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.