Emerson Campground
Located on the east side of the South Warner Wilderness, this campground and picnic area also serve as the staging area for the Emerson Trail into the wilderness. This free campground is fairly secluded due to the narrow, steep, rough, dirt access road. Campsites are mostly shady and set back from the parking area in the trees. There is no water at Emerson Campground.
More like this: first-come in California · free in California · tent only in California
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | No fee. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Facilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October |
| Forest | Modoc National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are not accepted. |
| Fees | No fee. |
| Rules | Water 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 41.2639° N, 120.1378° W · Directions ↗ |
Explore
Video
Emerson Lakes Campground Review
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miNorth Emerson Trail4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.1 miSouth Emerson Trail3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.1 miBearcamp Trail1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.3 miOwl Creek Trail ↗17.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.9 miPoison Flat Trail ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.5 miEast Creek Trail ↗5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
This campground sits inside South Warner Wilderness.
- inSouth Warner Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 70,206 acres
- 12.5 miModoc National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,023,026 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Jess Valley SchoolhouseBuilding · Likely · 9 mi
Guidebooks for California
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Emerson Campground?
No. Emerson 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 Emerson Campground?
Nothing. Emerson Campground is listed as free. No fee.
Source: Forest Service
Is Emerson Campground open right now?
Open 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 Emerson Campground?
Emerson Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Emerson Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are East Creek Campground (5.5 mi, first-come), Mill Creek Falls Campground (7.9 mi, first-come), and Soup Springs Campground (7.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby