California · Camping

Paynes Springs

Facilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October.
season

Is Paynes Springs 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 6,447 ft
  • Doublehead Ranger DistrictModoc National Forest

Paynes Springs is a Forest Service campground in the Doublehead Ranger District of Modoc National Forest in California. It sits in the high country of the Modoc National Forest, and the Forest Service manages the land. The site has vault toilets, and no fees are required to use it. That makes it a simple base for an overnight stay in the area, with no cost to set up camp. Several trails lie within a few miles. The Medicine Lake Glass Flow Trail and the Medicine Lakeshore Trail are both about 3 miles away, and the Little Medicine Lake Trail and the Little Mount Hoffman Trail are each about 3.5 miles off. For another place to camp, Schonchin Springs is roughly 4 miles away.