Patterson Guard Station

Patterson Guard Station

A Rural campground in California

Patterson Guard Station sits among the stunning landscapes of Modoc National Forest in California . With 6 campsites (RV-friendly up to 35 feet feet) , restrooms, potable water, great hiking, it's a favorite for rural adventurers.

Sites are first-come, first-served , and the best times to visit are Jun-sep when the weather is most comfortable .

🌈 PurpleTents helps LGBTQ+ campers discover welcoming outdoor experiences here and across America.

🏕️ At a Glance

⛺ Sites: 6
🚙 Max RV: 35 feet ft
🏛️ Agency: Usda Forest Service
🚻 Restrooms: Yes
💧 Water: Yes
🐕 Pets: Allowed
🚿 Showers: No
🥾 Hiking: Available
🦅 Birding: 100/100 (Pacific Flyway)
⏱️ Stay Limit: 14 days
💲 Nightly Fee: $15
📅 Reservations: First-come, first-served
🌆 Best Seasons: Jun-sep
📍 GPS: 41.1978, -120.1887
🆔 Facility ID: 10229798

💳 Booking & Fees

📅 Reservations: First-come, first-served. View on Recreation.gov →
💵 Nightly Fee: $15
📋 Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.

⏰ Stay Limit: 14 days
💡 Tip: Book early for peak season (Jun-sep). Sites can fill up months in advance.

💧 Water Access & Features

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock distance to water, flow data, water availability details, and safety information for this campground.
📏 Distance✅ Availability🗺️ All Sources💡 Safety Tips
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📸 Discover the Beauty of Modoc National Forest

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.

🌞 Jun-sep

🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep

🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings

Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.

🔒 PLUS+ Content
Unlock real-time wildlife sightings from iNaturalist community scientists near this campground, including photos, species names, and observation dates.
🦅 Birds🦌 Mammals🦎 Reptiles📸 Photos
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Patterson Guard Station located in California, offering 6 camping sites.

Patterson Guard Station

A Rural campground in California

📍
Location
, California
💰
Fees
$15

Stay Limit
14 days
🚌
Max RV Length
35 feet
🐾
Pets
Available
📡
Cell Coverage
Verizon: Fair
AT&T: Fair
T-Mobile: Poor

Overview

*altitude Is 7,080 Feet Above Sea Level*

Set on the Edge of a Meadow Surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine Trees, Patterson Guard Station Has Stood Since 1921. an Outhouse Stands Roughly 100 Feet From the Front Door, Across the Driveway. Aspen Trees Are Found Along Streams and Boggy Areas Beside Corn Lillies That Can Grow Up to 5 Feet Tall Before Drying Up by Mid-Summer. Help Keep This Lake Clean by Following the California Click Here to View the Full Reservation Calander and Additional Details Not Included on This Page.

Hiking & Horseback Riding

the Nearby Trails Within the South Warner Wilderness Offer Wild Landscapes and Solitude for Hikers and Horseback Riders. the Wilderness Act of 1964 Prohibits the Use of Motorized and/or Mechanized Equipment Within the Wilderness Area (Limited Exceptions Are Provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act). South Warner Wilderness Maps Are Advised and Always Available at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor’S Office in Alturas, Calif. Maps May Also Be Available at the Likely General Store in Likely, Calif.

Off-Highway Vehicles

Many of the Roads Near Patterson Guard Station, Outside of the Wilderness Area, Are Open to Off-Highway Vehicles. Motor Vehicle Use Maps Are Available Online and at the Modoc National Forest Supervisor’S Office in Alturas, Calif.

Boating

Blue Lake, 9 Miles West, Features a Boat Ramp and Dock for Motorized and Non-Motorized Watercraft. Ca. Gov/Conservation/Invasives” Rel=”Nofollow”>Invasive Species Prevention Program Please Respect the 10 Mph Speed Limit on the Lake. If Speed-Boating Is Your Thing, Consider Launching Your Boat at West Valley Reservoir Instead.

Patterson Guard Station Was Restored in 2022 Thanks to Funding From the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. the Guard Station Is Currently Equiped with One Bunk Bed (Two Matresses). There Will Also Be Two Chairs That Each Convert to a Single Bed. Pots and Pans Will Be Provided. Pets Are Allowed. the Guard Station Features a New Refrigerator and Oven/Range Fueled by Propane (Provided). New Floors and a Wood-Burning Stove (Firewood Provided) Make This Facility Almost As Cozy As Your Own Home. Potable Water Is Not Available on-Site. Non-Potable Water May Be Available But Visitors Should Bring All the Water Needed for Drinking and Washing. Entering This Facility Requires Walking Up at Least Two Stairs to Enter the Back Door, Three Stairs Up to the Front Porch and Door. As Your Reservation Approaches, You Will Be Instructed on How to Obtain Codes/Keys to the Entry Gate and Guard Station Doors.

Things You Must Bring with You:

  • Drinking Water and Water for Washing
  • Battery Powered Lanterns and Lights for Indoor Use
  • Bug Spray and First Aid Kits
  • Bedding (Sleeping Bags, Blankets, Sheets, Pillows)

Check-in Is 2Pm and Check-Out Is 11Am. Maximum Occupancy Is Listed at Eight (8) But When It Comes to Sleeping Arrangments, the Guard Station Will Only Accomdate Four (4) Persons.

the Warner Mountains Form a Prominent Northwestern Boundary of the Basin and Range Geologic Province That Envelops the Entire State of Nevada. This Range Was Once a Sedimentary Basin Between Volcanoes of the Ancestral Cascade Range Until the Warners Went Through Their Own Phases of Active Volcanism Between ~28 Million Years Ago Until As Recently As 2 to 3 Million Years Ago. Dramatic Uplift on the Eastern Side of This Range Provides Breathtaking Views, Best Seen From Surprise Valley, East of the Warners.

South-Facing Slopes in the Warner Mountains Are Often Dry and Host Lodgepole and Ponderosa Pine, Juniper Trees and Sagebrush. North Facing Slopes Are Wetter and Host Fir Trees.

Nearby Attractions

  • Blue Lake, 9 Miles West, Offers a Boat Ramp and Dock with a Kayak Launcher, Fishing Platform, Day Use Area with Grills and Picnic Tables and a Developed Campground with 40+ Developed Campsites at $15/Night. 31 Miles North Along County Road 1.

Contact Info

This Location Is Unstaffed. to Speak with Our Main Office for General Information, Please Call: (530) 233-5811.Managed by: Usda Forest Service

Site Details

Campsite Information

  • Total Sites: 6
  • Hookup Types: Electric
  • Max RV Length: 35 feet

Amenities

  • 🚻 Restrooms: Available
  • 🚿 Showers: No
  • 🗑️ Dump Station: No
  • 💧 Potable Water: Available
  • 🛝 Playground: No
  • 🧺 Laundry: False
  • 📶 WiFi: False
  • 🏊 Swimming: No
  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: Available
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available

Map & Location

Address & Coordinates

Address:

City: , California

Coordinates: 41.19776, -120.18868

Area Type: Rural

Phone: (530) 233-5811

Activities & Attractions

Popular Activities: Boat-ramp|fishing|hiking|picnic|water|lake|trail|rv|cabin

Available Activities:

  • 🎣 Fishing: Available
  • 🛥️ Boating: Available
  • 🥾 Hiking: Available
  • 🏊 Swimming: No

Regulations & Permits

🔥 Stay Limits & Fees

Maximum Stay: 14 days

Nightly Fee: $15

Federal Pass: Yes (50% discount)

📋 Reservations

Reservations: First Come First Served

Book on Recreation.gov

🌤️ Weather & Climate

79.8°F
Summer High
21.0°F
Winter Low
19.1″
Annual Precip
Jul
Hottest Month
Dec
Coldest Month
Jun-sep
Best Visit Time

📱 Connectivity

Verizon

Fair Signal

LTE

AT&T

Fair Signal

LTE

T-Mobile

Poor Signal

4G

📺 Television Reception

Major Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW, ION, UnivisION

Signal Quality: Good

Total Stations: 20 stations

Nearest Market: LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco

Notes: Signals FROM LOS Angeles/SAN Francisco MARKET

📻 Radio Reception

Total Stations: 50 stations (15 AM, 35 FM)

AM Quality: Good | FM Quality: Good

Major Formats: POP, Spanish, Classic ROCK, NEWS/TALK, Country

Local News: KNX 1070 Am

Market: La/Sf/SAN DIEGO

Notes: 15 AM, 35 FM Stations from La/Sf/San Diego

🔌 EV Charging

⚡ Niles Hotel – Tesla Destination

Distance: 26.9 miles away

Address: 304 S Main St, Alturas, CA

Network: tesla-destination

Charging Type: Standard-charging-available • Tesla-J1772

Essential Information

Park System Information

Park Classification & Structure

  • Park Type: National Forests
  • Parks Post Name: modoc-national-forest
  • Parent Park Name: Modoc National Forest
  • Correct Park Type Mapping: modoc-national-forest

System Statistics

  • Total Campgrounds in System: 4.0
  • States Covered: California
  • Managing Agencies: Usda Forest Service

System IDs & References

  • Parent Organization ID: 131.0
  • Parent Recreation Area ID: 1069
  • Parks Parent Org IDs: 131.0
  • Parks Parent Rec Area IDs: 1069

URL Slugs & Navigation

  • State Slug: california
  • Agency Slug: usda-forest-service
  • Park Type Slug: national-forests
  • Parent Park Slug: modoc-national-forest

Additional Park Information

Welcome to Modoc National Forest! This Beautiful Destination Features 4 Campgrounds Across California. Managed by Usda Forest Service, This Location Offers Incredible Camping Opportunities for Every Type of Outdoor Enthusiast.

Data Reference Notes

Managing Agency Slug: usda-forest-service

10229798 Patterson Guard Station