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
💳 Booking & Fees
Cancellations made 3+ days before arrival typically receive a refund minus service fees. Check Recreation.gov for specific policies and deadlines.
💧 Water Access & Features
📸 Discover the Beauty of Modoc National Forest
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Plan your trip during the optimal season for this campground.
🦅 Peak birding: Apr, May, Sep
🦌 Recent Wildlife Sightings
Recent wildlife observations near this campground from the iNaturalist community.
Patterson Guard Station located in California, offering 6 camping sites.
Patterson Guard Station
A Rural campground in California
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 ServiceSite 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)
🌤️ Weather & Climate
Summer High
Winter Low
Annual Precip
Hottest Month
Coldest Month
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
Plan Your Visit
Essential Information
- Facility ID: 10229798
- Managing Agency: Usda Forest Service
- Agency Email:
- Agency Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campsites/10229799
- Parent Park: Modoc National Forest
- Park Website: /parks/modoc-national-forest/
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
Data Reference Notes
Managing Agency Slug: usda-forest-service
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