U.S. Forest Service · Modoc National Forest · California

Payne Springs Campground

Located in the scenic Medicine Lake Highlands, Payne Springs is surrounded by many attractions. This campground is adjacent to the Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway and the Lava Beds National Monument is located near by. It is a great place to visit and learn about the local geology and history. There is no drinking water. There are picnic tables and fire pits at each site with fair road conditions getting to the sites.

Closed for the seasonFirst-come, first-servedFreeTents only

More like this: first-come in California · free in California · tent only in California

4fires
active
Mowitz Rx (prescribed burn) · 32 mi away
3 more within 50 miles
Incident details ↓

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
FeesNo fee.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October
ForestModoc National Forest
BookingReservations are not accepted.
FeesNo fee.
RulesWater and garbage service are not provided. Bring enough water for drinking, cooking and washing as well as extra water to drown campfires each day. Please take all trash, garbage and dog droppings with you when you leave. Dogs on leash only. Please clean up after your dog. Camping limit 14 days.

Modoc National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Payne Springs Campground30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.63 inches of precipitation, 8.7 inches of snowFebruary: 2.10 inches of precipitation, 9.3 inches of snowMarch: 1.85 inches of precipitation, 6.9 inches of snowApril: 1.30 inches of precipitation, 4.0 inches of snowMay: 1.37 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowJune: 0.99 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowJuly: 0.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.34 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.44 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 0.85 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowNovember: 1.46 inches of precipitation, 5.0 inches of snowDecember: 1.53 inches of precipitation, 7.9 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 32.8°F averageFebruary: 35.2°F averageMarch: 39.7°F averageApril: 43.9°F averageMay: 52.4°F averageJune: 59.8°F averageJuly: 69.2°F averageAugust: 68.3°F averageSeptember: 61.5°F averageOctober: 50.9°F averageNovember: 38.8°F averageDecember: 31.8°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 in10 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Lava Beds Nat Mon, 11 miles from the campground at 4,770 feet, station USC00044838 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 14 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 43 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates41.5547° N, 121.5608° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Mowitz Rx

    32 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Snowmans Understory Rx

    39 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Mcbride Underburn Rx

    41 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Mcbride Underburn Rx

    42 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 stationDump station ↗2.4 mi
Outdoor gearThe Sportsmens Den ↗42.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →
  • 0.6 mi
    Blanche to Bullseye Trail
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.2 mi
    Medicine Lakeshore Trail
    1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.9 mi
    Medicine Lake Glass Flow Trail
    0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 2.9 mi
    Crystal Springs Trail
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3 mi
    Little Medicine Lake Trail
    0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.5 mi
    Little Mount Hoffman Trail
    3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Klamath National Forest.

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.

Guidebooks for California

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Payne Springs Campground?

No. Payne Springs 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 Payne Springs Campground?

Nothing. Payne Springs Campground is listed as free. No fee.

Source: Forest Service

Is Payne Springs Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Facilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October.

Source: Forest Service status

Can I bring an RV to Payne Springs Campground?

Payne Springs Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Payne Springs Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Medicine Lake Recreation Area (2.5 mi, partly first-come), Schonchin Springs Campground (3.9 mi, first-come), and Indian Well Campground (11.6 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby