Recreation area

Smithneck Creek

Tahoe National Forest · California — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

This creek has a self-sustaining population of brown trout.  There is state-owned land near the town of Loyalton, which supports a nice meadow fishery.  Smithneck Creek has very good road access from Smithneck Road at Loyalton.

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more California camping

Smithneck Creek doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.