Lower Blue Lake Campground

Lower Blue Lake Campground by Carson Pass draws a lot of visitors because most of the campsites are right along the lake and the fishing is amazing. An unimproved boat ramp is nearby. Upper Blue Lake and several others are nearby.

Blue Lakes are owned by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, which oversees the campgrounds. Blue Lakes Road leaves Highway 88 in the Hope Valley on the east side of Carson Pass. A 12-mile drive leads to the cluster of lakes which includes Upper and Lower Blue Lakes as well as Twin Lakes, Meadow Lake, and a number of other smaller lakes.

Lower Blue Lake Campground has 17 campsites along the shoreline. Nearly every campsite is lakefront. Campsites can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Reservations can be made online as late as 3 days prior to arrival. Watch below for the dates PG&E opens reservations. They change every year. Sites 15-17 are first-come, first served. A 2-night stay is required for those making reservations.

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Lower Blue Lake Campground Basics
Lower Blue Lake Campground Location:	12 miles off Highway 88 at Hope Valley
Elevation:	8,100 feet
Miles from gateway city:	Carson City, NV = 48 miles Sacramento - 122 miles
Campground Open:	Mid-June through mid-October Opening date is heavily dependent on snow removal along Blue Lakes Rd. - Alpine County Current Road Conditions
Number of Sites:	17
Max. People per Site:	6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site:	1 ($5 per night for extra vehicle)
Pets:	On leash, always attended, $2 per night
Operated by	American Land & Leisure for PG&E
American Land & Leisure	(916) 386-5164

Reservations at Lower Blue Lake Campground
Reservations available	Lower Blue Lake Campground reservations are usually available for camping dates from early July through mid-September
Booking Window:	See PG&E's Reservation Information below. Reservations usually open in April.
ADA Accessible Sites:	None designated; wheelchair accessible toilets
Favorite Campsites:	#1, 3, 10, 11 (all lakeside with nice views)
Fees:	$27 per night for shoreline sites $25 for non-shoreline sites
Reservations:	PG&E Campground Reservations Plus an $8 reservation fee
Check-in, check-out:	2:00 PM, 11:00 AM

Lower Blue Lake Campground Amenities
Campsites:	Picnic table, fire ring with grills, bear-proof food storage boxes
Campground:	Vault toilets, piped water
Showers:	No
Dump Station:	No
Campground Map:	Lower Blue Lake Campground Map
Attractions near Lower Blue Lake Campground:	Enjoy Swimming, fishing and boating on Blue Lakes and Twin Lake. Set out for OHV adventures, hiking trails, or horseback riding. Visit Tamarack Lake, Indian Valley and the Pacific Crest Trail. For more about recreation around Carson Pass see Up and Over Carson Pass. Shop Amazon: Trout Fishing Best Sellers

Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Campground Reservation Information for 2024

PG&E has updated its reservations dates for 2024:
April 10, 8:00 AM - Reservations become available for camping dates one week or longer.
April 17, 8:00 AM - Reservations become available for stays less than one week.

Many PG&E campgrounds (except group campgrounds), including those with reservations available, also have some first-come, first-serve sites.

Twin Lake

General Camping Information

When making reservations for Lower Twin Lake Campground be sure that your vehicle will fit in the space indicated on the reservations website.
For campground purposes, a vehicle is any equipment that is required to be licensed/registered. This includes RVs, trailers, cars/trucks, boat/car trailer, motorcycle/ATV, etc. Vehicles parked in a truck or on a trailer are not counted separately.

Lower Blue Lake Campground

Reviews from Previous Campers

2022 - 2024

The camp host was wonderful!

Great place for the family and kids of all ages.

Cleanest pit toilets I've seen anywhere.

Mosquitoes can be bothersome.

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Attractions

While staying at Lower Blue Lake Campground in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the east side of Carson Pass, you will find many wonderful places to explore.

Follow the emigrant trail up from Hope Valley over Carson Pass
Spend a day at Blue Lakes for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.
Explore OHV routes around Hope Valley
Mountain bike along a network of logging roads
Fish and boat on Silver Lake and Caples Lake.
Visit Kirkwood for both winter and summer activities from skiing to mountain biking.
Enjoy a meal at Kit Carson Lodge or Caples Lake Resort.
Discover the beauty of Hope Valley and visit Desolation Hotel - Hope Valley for lodging, meals, and activities.
Drive out to Blue Lakes for fishing, hiking, and horse back riding.
Hike into the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Take in the scenery of waterfalls, snow-capped peaks, and rushing mountain streams.

Set Out on Adventure

fishing in Evolution Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, CA

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Key Lower Blue Lake Campground Regulations

Quiet Hours run from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. No generators are allowed to be used during those hours.
Campfires are only permitted in provided fire structures.
Dogs must be on leash at all times and always attended.
No recreational vehicle riding is allowed in the campground.

Lower Blue Lake Campground
Carson Pass

Lower Blue Lake Campground
Carson Pass