Christie Campground

477-050 EAGLE LAKE ROAD
SUSANVILLE, CA 96130

Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algae Blooms may be present in lakes, streams and rivers on the Lassen National Forest and surrounding areas. For resources, safety tips, frequently asked questions, local bloom reports and to report possible blooms, visit the State of California Harmful Algal Blooms Portal.

Current recreation sites reported: Parts of Eagle Lake. In previous years, detections have typically been concentrated in the northern basin, but right now the map is showing a large area of detection in the southern basin.

Sign indicating Cautioin is needed because of the reported presence of harmful algae. Caution items listed are also in description.• Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody. Clean fish with fresh water or bottled water and throw out organs. — Caution sign. Harmful Algae may be present.
*(CA Water Authority)*

California Water Boards’ satellite map can detect the presence of cyanobacteria in waterbodies. Open the map and you will see a heat map showing the presence of cyanobacteria, with red indicating a high presence and black indicating no detection.

HAB satellite map: https://fhab.sfei.org/?w=51&d=20261101&p=cyano&c=7daymax

Eagle Lake - Merrill Campground

Latitude: 40.553 Longitude: -120.81
County: Lassen Regional Water Board (Region 6 – Lahontan)
Report ID: 3312
Report Updated On: 10/7/2026
Current Advisory: Caution
Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Report Details: Advisory based on presence of harmful algal bloom and water testing that detected cyanotoxins.
The exact location, extent and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate and may not be affecting the entire waterbody.

Eagle Lake - Christie Day Use

Latitude: 40.564 Longitude: -120.83
County: Lassen Regional Water Board (Region 6 – Lahontan)
Report ID: 4222
Report Updated On: 10/7/2026
Current Advisory: Caution
Advisory Recommendations: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep Children away from Algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Report Details: Advisory based on presence of harmful algal bloom and water testing that detected cyanotoxins.
The exact location, extent and toxicity of the reported bloom may not be accurate and may not be affecting the entire waterbody.

Overview

Christie Campground is located in the Eagle Lake Recreation Area of the Lassen National Forest. This recreation area has five campgrounds, three designated day use areas and a marina on the south shore of Eagle Lake. All these recreation facilities are connected by a 5.2 mile paved hiking/bike trail. The Osprey Overlook, another day use area in the recreation area, can be hiked or driven to for a scenic view of the southern end of Eagle Lake and the surrounding forest basin.

The Lassen National Forest offers a variety of lakes, streams and wilderness areas for recreational opportunities. The forest offers miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle riding and in the winter months, snowmobiling.

Recreation

Fishing for the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, a California Heritage Trout, is the primary recreational activity on Eagle Lake, but the 3rd largest natural lake in California (22,000 acres), provides for plenty of room for swimming, kayaking, skiing and all other boating activities by motor or sail. There are no 2-cycle restrictions for outboard boat motors or PWCs.

Facilities

Of the five campgrounds in the recreation area, Christie Campground is located the greatest distance from the marina and boat ramp, about five miles or a 10-minute drive. Due to its location, this campground is the least used and occupied in the recreation area. This distinction has developed a very loyal customer base of RV, trailer and tent campers who want a quiet, spacious, camping experience in this beautiful landscape.

Christie Campground’s location offers OHV riders almost direct access to the Forest Service riding trails and roads and is preferred by kayak and personal pontoon fishing enthusiasts.

Each site is equipped with a paved parking spur, table and campfire ring/grill. Almost half of the sites feature a pull-through parking spur and nine of these sites are large enough that they have been designated as group sites.

An RV Dump Station Facility is conveniently located about two miles away with a $5 dump fee.

Forty-seven sites, #1-#25, #27-#30, and #32-#49 are designated reservation sites, the other 22 sites are walk-in sites, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The paved bike path begins in this campground. The Eagle Lake Marina store with gas, propane, fishing and camping supplies, shower and laundry facilities.

Natural Features

Eagle Lake is located where the Sierras meet the Cascades at the southwestern end of the lake, and the Modoc Plateau of the Great Basin at the northeastern end. This unique location offers diverse landscapes, geology, wildlife and vegetation.

Christie Campground is located in a mature conifer forest of pines and firs, on the southwestern shoreline of Eagle Lake, at an elevation of 5,100 feet.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 825-3454.

Nearby Attractions

The Lassen National Forest has many other recreational opportunities and the Lassen Volcanic National Park is an easy day’s drive to and from Eagle Lake Recreational Area.

Camp site features

Across 66 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 66 sites
Picnic table: all 66 sites
Pets allowed: all 66 sites
Group sites: 10 of 66 sites
Longest RV: 65 ft
Largest party: 16 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 1.9 mi

Directions

From Susanville, California, take Highway 36 west for 2 miles to County Road A-1. Turn north and continue 14 miles to the Eagle Lake Recreation Area. Continue past Gallatin Road, the first highway you will come to in the lake basin, and follow the signs to Christie Campground. Located on County Road A-1, 2 miles north of Merrill Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

64 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Heather W

Loop:Troy

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

We stayed at group site 13, which gave close access to the paved path and the lake. It was also close to water and the bathrooms. Only comment is the pull through will be difficult to fit more than 3 vehicles (maybe 4 compact vehicles), so some may have to park elsewhere in the campground. We were able to easily fit two large tents, an easy up, and 4 families worth of equipment on the site itself. The campground was very quiet and enough space from your neighbors.

Barbara B

Loop:Troy

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Very nice campground with level spots; bathrooms were very clean; nice paved walking path to the next campground with benches along the way for viewing Eagle Lake.

Patricia T

Loop:Manzanita

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

It was a nice campground. But the group sites you had a little turn out to park and set your tent up on the dirt. If you’re in a camper It’s dumb. It should be advertised as tent only group sites. Then the want you to back into the pull in sites. Well in a camper, awnings and doors are all on the right but the sites are set up on the wrong sides. If they are going to keep the back in rule, they need to revamp all the sites. Not going here again.

Melissa F

Loop:Troy

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

It was our first time camping here, and we loved it! The setting was beautiful, the bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms we've ever seen, and the campground host was incredibly helpful and kind. The lake was perfect for kayaking, and once you got out a bit deeper it was clear and inviting for swimming. The shoreline was a little mucky, so we didn't go swimming from the shore. The paved trail that starts at the campground was also awesome--perfect for biking, scootering, and walking. We'll definitely be back!

Hollis D

Loop:Manzanita

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

I stayed at Christie Campground at Eagle Lake from July 2nd through July 5th with friends, and this was our first time camping there. We were in site 33 in the Manzanita Loop, a non-electric primitive site with no hookups, and for the kind of camping I was looking for, it hit the mark. The pine setting gave the whole place a relaxed, tucked-away feel, and the photos give a good sense of how much room we had around the rig. The campground was clean, well spaced out, and laid out in a way that made it feel like we were camping near people without sitting right on top of them. That matters, especially around a holiday stretch when campgrounds can get a little lively. Quiet time started at 10, and it actually got quiet, which was a nice surprise. Mary, the camp host, stopped by to introduce herself, explain the rules, and share helpful information about the area. That kind of welcome goes a long way. The main limitation is simple: this is basic camping. No hookups, no electric, and you need to come prepared. For me, that was part of the charm. With biking, fishing, hiking, and plenty to explore around Eagle Lake, I would absolutely stay here again. 5/5 stars.

Paul L

Loop:Troy

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Excellent location probably one of the best campground host ever. Relaxing location

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 2% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.