USDA Forest Service · California
Payne Springs Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States · in Sattitla Highlands National Monument
- Cost
- No fees are required for this site
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,486 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- NFSR 43A17B · native material · high clearance vehicles
- Nearest town
- McCloud 45 miles, Tulelake, 48 miles.
Season dates aren't confirmed for this campground yet - opening and closing dates haven't been verified. Check the operator's page or call ahead before you plan a trip.
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
US Forest Service 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. Pack out what you pack in. Open season: Facilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October.. Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 25° | 8° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 37° | 23° | -8° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 24° | 12° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 26° | 15° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 58° | 36° | 24° | 74° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 43° | 29° | 84° | 3 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 52° | 38° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 52° | 40° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 45° | 35° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 61° | 36° | 27° | 73° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 44° | 29° | 16° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 35° | 23° | 4° | 52° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
All 31 trails in Modoc National Forest · All 8 trails in Sattitla Highlands National Monument
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Blanche Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Bullseye Lake · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Medicine Lake Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 75 sites
- A.H.Hogue · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
- Medicine · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2025-07-31. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.