Wrights Lake Campground
Wrights Lake Campground is on the shore of the most beautiful lake in the Crystal Basin. An Equestrian Camp is located nearby.
Wrights Lake and the Crystal Basin
Picturesque Wrights Lake spreads across 40 surface acres before a backdrop of evergreen trees and Sierra peaks. With motorboats prohibited in the lake, Wrights Lake is popular for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. Mountain bikers head out on the Barrett Lake jeep trail. Hikers often choose trails into the nearby Desolation Wilderness. Campfire programs are offered during the summer.
The surrounding Crystal Basin features a network of beautiful mountain reservoirs and other recreation features. The largest of the lakes is Union Valley Reservoir wwith 3 boat launch ramps, campgrounds, and a paved multi-use trail. Nearby Ice House Reservoir is a favorite fishing destination. Loon Lake sits farther back in the Crystal Basin and attracts campers who want quieter forest time.
Around Crystal Basin are a number of popular hiking trails. One of the favorites is the Bassi Falls Trail. Anglers do well in the lakes and streams fishing for rainbow trout, mackinaw, kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, and wild brown trout. OHV adventurers gather at the famous Rubican Jeep Trail which begins on the north side of Loon Lake.
Wrights Lake Campground
Wrights Lake Campground features 75 campsites. Of those, 19 are tent-only and another 9 are walk-in, tent-only sites. The remainder accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. The campground is divided into two separate loops. Sites #1-19, the tent-only sites, are on the west side of the lake's outlet stream, while the others are on the east side.
Each campsite has a campfire ring with grill, picnic table, and bear-proof food storage locker. Withing the campground are restrooms with vault toilets and drinking water spigots. All sites are within very easy walking distance of the lake. Some sites are set between boulders offering more privacy.
Directions
Wrights Lake Campground can be reached in one of two ways. Either come directly off Highway 50 up Wrights Lake Road (steep), or start out on Ice House Road for 11 miles before taking the Wrights Lake Tie Road for 9 miles and connecting to Wrights Lake Road 2 miles from the lake. Those with trailers are advised to use the latter route.
Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground
The Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground is located a short distance south of the lake, off Wrights Lake Road. The campground is in a grassy, open timber area near Wrights Lake's outlet stream.
Facilities include vault toilets, piped water, tables, fire grills, and bear-proof storage lockers. Campers at the Equestrian site must have at least one equine or other pack animal per site. There is a total of 15 campsites at the campground, all of which accept RVs, trailers, and tents. Maximum trailer length is 35 feet. Each campsite is allowed 2 vehicles (that includes trailers). Sites which have not been reserved are available for first come, first served.
Map: Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground Map
Fees: $20
Reservations: Wrights Lake Equestrian Campground
General Camping Information
When making reservations be sure that your vehicle will fit in the space indicated on the reservations website.
Information is available at the Crystal Information Station east of Union Valley Reservoir on Ice House Road during the summer.
Horses and motor vehicles are not permitted on the bike trails at Union Valley Reservoir. Horses are permitted on the Ice House Reservoir bike trail.
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.
Accessible Sites
A majority of the campsites at Wrights Lake are listed as accessible to persons with disabilities. Most campgrounds will not allow any party without a person with a disability to camp in designated sites. At Wrights Lake if you do not have a disability, they ask that you consider choosing a different, non-accessible site; but if no other sites are available, you may reserve a site labeled for persons with disabilities.
Reviews from Previous Campers
2021 - 2024