Medicine Lake Recreation Area

Modoc National Forest, CA · ≈43.6 mi to Altamont
Sites
75
Max rig
65+ ft
Pull-through
No
Hookups
None
ADA
To town
43.6 mi
Signal

✓ Best for

  • Big rigs and large RVs
  • Boating and swimming enthusiasts
  • Hikers seeking remote access
  • Campers with pets

✕ Not ideal for

  • RVers needing hookups
  • Those requiring cell service
  • Visitors wanting nearby amenities

Connectivity

Plan to be offlineNo modeled cell coverage from any carrier. If you need connectivity here, a satellite communicator or hotspot device is worth considering.

What's here

75 Standards (no Hookups)Drive-In access
Rig compatibility

Will your rig fit?

Checked against every site's real dimensions.
Your RV length
35ft
35 ft
Your fit summary
See availability →

59 of 75 sites don't report a length.

Amenities & features

Amenities
Campfires allowedPets allowedPicnic tablesShade
Activities
BoatingCampingHikingSwimming Site
CampIntel Score

How we score

We score what we can verify.
Workable for mid-size rigsRig fit
Remote — plan aheadAccess
Minimal servicesConvenience
Verdicts come from our Rig fit, Access & Convenience sub-scores — each built only from verifiable Recreation.gov data.

Where it is

Nearest town: Altamont, ~43.6 miGet directions ↗

Photos

Photos: Recreation.gov

Overview

Overview The popular Medicine Lake Recreation Area and adjacent Medicine Lake are located in the Medicine Lake Highlands in northeastern California. The Recreation Area is located in the Modoc National Forest at an elevation of 6,770 feet. Recreation The Medicine Lake Recreation Area offers camping, boating, fishing and swimming. The adjacent Day Use Areas accommodate boating with a concrete boat ramp and dock. Swimming is available in a designated swimming area next to the Picnic Area. Hiking and mountain biking are available on trails originating in the Recreation Area. The longest of these trails is the trail up Little Mt Hoffman. Facilities The Medicine Lake Recreation Area is comprised of five campgrounds; Medicine, A.H. Hogue, Hemlock, Headquarters, and Schonchin Springs Campgrounds. Nearby the campgrounds are Picnic Area and Boat Launch sites. Campsites vary between somewhat rugged with limited parking space to larger areas suitable for recreation vehicles. Facilities include vault toilets, water hydrants and garbage dumpsters. Campsites include a picnic table, fire ring and a barbeque grill. There are a total of 86 campsites throughout the five campgrounds. Fifteen of these sites are available for advanced reservations and located within the Medicine and A.H. Hogue Campgrounds. Schonchin Springs is the only campground without water. Natural Features Medicine Lake Recreation Area is nestled along Medicine Lake and mostly sheltered by mature lodgepole pine trees but can be windy at times. The Recreation Area lies adjacent to the Medicine Lake Lava Flow which is accessible by a short hike. The Glass Mtn. and Burnt Lava Flow Geologic Areas are located within a 15-minute drive. Nearby Attractions Nearby are a few other federal sites with interesting features. The Lava Beds National Monument is located within a half-hour drive and includes lava caves and tubes. The Tulelake National Wildlife Refuge is located within an hour's drive where many types of migratory waterfowl can be viewed.

Managed by USDA Forest Service · Developed campground