California · Camping

Emerson Campground

Facilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October.
season
May–Sep
best months

Is Emerson Campground open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Modoc National Forest.

  • Forest Fire Restrictions 2026 have been lifted as of 09/27/2026

    Agency alert covering Modoc National Forest · Order 09-26-01 · USFS · Modoc National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Modoc National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 5,848 ft
  • Warner Mountain Ranger DistrictModoc National Forest

Emerson Campground is a free Forest Service site on the east side of the South Warner Wilderness, within the Warner Mountain Ranger District of Modoc National Forest. It serves as a staging area for the Emerson Trail into the wilderness and also offers a picnic area. The site is fairly secluded, with campsites set back from the parking area in the trees. The access road is narrow, steep and rough, and there is no water at the campground. Vault toilets are the only facility. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Jess Valley weather station show July highs around 84°F with lows near 47°F and only about two wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. The North Emerson Trail and South Emerson Trail both start about 0.1 mile away. Patterson campground is about 5 miles off, and Mill Creek Falls is about 8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Emerson Campground

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 21°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 21°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      50° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 47°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 39°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 31°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 25°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 20°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jess Valley, CA, 8.2 mi away at 5,400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.