Stough Reservoir Campground
Stough Reservoir Campground is only one mile off Hwy 299 on a gravel road. At 6,200 feet it provides relief from the heat of the valleys on either side. Small trailers and motorhomes will find access and turnarounds manageable. The reservoir is small but is kept stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Campsites sit away from the shore with nice views of the reservoir. Stough Reservoir is Number 4 on the Basin & Range Birding Trail. Bring you camera and binoculars and expect to see Prairie Falcons, Rufous Hummingbirds and Wild Turkeys.
More like this: first-come in California · tent only in California
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | $15/single campsite per day with a maximum of 2 vehicles. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October |
| Forest | Modoc National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are not accepted. |
| Fees | $15/single campsite per day with a maximum of 2 vehicles. |
| Rules | Dogs on leash only. Please clean up after your dog. Camping limit 14 days. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 41.5622° N, 120.2542° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMowitz Rx
39 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 30 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miCedar Creek Trail3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miCedar Creek Upper Trailhead ↗Modoc National Forest · Season Open all year.
- 2.5 miCedar Creek Lower Trailhead ↗Modoc National Forest · Season Open all year.
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Modoc National Forest begins about 1.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.2 miModoc National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,023,026 acres
- 10.7 miSouth Warner Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 70,206 acres
- 13.8 miModoc National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 7,169 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Stough Reservoir Campground?
No. Stough Reservoir Campground is first-come, first-served. Reservations are not accepted. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Stough Reservoir Campground?
$15/single campsite per day with a maximum of 2 vehicles.
Source: Forest Service
Is Stough Reservoir Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Facilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Stough Reservoir Campground?
Stough Reservoir Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Stough Reservoir Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pepperdine Campground (7.8 mi, first-come), Pepperdine Equestrian Campground (7.8 mi, first-come), and Soup Springs Campground (17.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby