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Indian Creek Recreation Lands

What's the area like?

More than 7,000 acres of public lands are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for public outdoor recreational use. Improvements at Indian Creek include a developed recreation site, an environmental study area and a system of hiking trails.

Indian Creek Reservoir, elevation 5,600 feet, covers 160 acres. The campground is surrounded by ponderosa, Jeffrey and pinyon pine trees.

Paved access is provided by Airport Road, off State Highway 89 midway between Woodfords and Markleeville, California.

What's There To Do?

Many recreational opportunities are available at Indian Creek including camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing, sailing, mountain biking, nature study, rock collecting, sightseeing and photography.

Fishing is by far the most popular activity. Trout are stocked in the reservoir. The nearby Carson River is managed as a trophy fishery. (Catch and release those big ones!) Be sure to check with the California Department of Fish and Game for current information concerning hunting and fishing seasons and limits. The maximum speed on Indian Creek Reservoir is 10 mph.

Animals

During your visit, you may see some of the animals that live here, such as coyotes, porcupines, squirrels and chipmunks. Mule deer are frequently sighted.

The most common reptile in the area is the garter snake; it is quite harmless. Several types of lizards also can be seen. The rattlesnake is the only venomous reptile in the area, but it is rather shy and rarely seen.

Birds of many different varieties, such as golden and bald eagles, and several types of hawks and owls, are common in this area. Smaller birds, such as woodpeckers, jays, blackbirds and sparrows, also live here. In spring and fall, ducks and geese frequent the area.

Climate

Summers are generally warm and dry with daytime temperatures occasionally reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while evenings are cool and comfortable. Winter brings heavy snow at times, and temperatures can drop well below freezing. When this occurs, the reservoir freezes over.

What's Provided?

A campground with 19 sites is situated next to Indian Creek Reservoir. These sites are suitable for recreational vehicles up to 30' or tents. The restroom has flush toilets and hot showers. Drinking water and a sanitary dump station are provided. A second area, designed for tent camping, has 10 sites. Parking is a short distance from the tent sites. The day use area has 10 picnic sites, a boat ramp, large parking lot and restrooms with flush toilets. With advance reservations, a group of up to 40 people may camp in the group area which accommodates tents only. The campground generally opens the first weekend in May and closes after the last weekend in September. The camp site fees are used to help maintain the recreation area. Persons 62 and older with Golden Age Passports are entitled to a 50 percent reduction in camping fees. Passports are available from offices of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service.

The campground will close for the winter season on October 9, 2006

Dump Station

The dump station is $10.00 per vehicle for all dump station users.

RV and Tent Campgrounds

Fees in the main campground are $20/night for a single site, $32/night for a double site, $14/night for the walk-in tent sites.

Group Area

The fee is $50.00 per night. We will adhere to the 40 person maximum and no camping in the parking area. The groups will be informed of these requirements in writing when they make a reservation. The group area will not be reserved on the Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends or between July 4th & July 11th. Check out time is 2:00 p.m.

Occupancy of Campsites

Sites are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance reservation system. Occupancy of a site requires the following:

1. A permit is purchased and is placed in the site box. The additional vehicle fee can be included in one envelope or a separate envelope can be used and also placed in the site box.

2. Camping equipment and/or a recreational vehicle is set up at the site to clearly indicate the site is taken.

3. At least one person must occupy the site during the first night after a permit has been purchased and camping equipment has been set up. Following the first night, equipment can not be left unattended for more than 24 hours.

The capacity of each campsite is dictated by the parking space and tent pad. Tents must be set up on designated tent pads and vehicles must be parked on the paved parking spaces without extending into the access road.

The camping stay limit at Indian Creek Recreation Area is no more than 14 days within a 28 consecutive day interval. A authorized officer of BLM has the discretion to extend the day limit during the weekdays or the off season if the campground is not full. No extensions shall be granted if the campground is anticipated to be full.

Dead and down wood may be gathered from BLM lands for campfires.

When in the campground, please remember........

* Build fires only in the stoves, grills or fireplaces provided.

* Camp only in designated sites. Pitch your tents on the tent pads reserved.

* All pets must be leashed or physically restrained at all times.

* Operate and park motor vehicles only on roads and in parking areas. Park only on the pavement.

* Dispose of all rubbish in the receptacles provided.

* All natural features are protected so don't destroy, deface or collect. However, dead, and down wood may be used for campfires.

* Bears are occasional visitors. Please use the food storage lockers provided at each campsite, and do not leave food overnight on tables or in tents.

Curtz Lake Environmental Study Area

Curtz Lake is a natural area with an easily viewed combination of natural environmental processes at work. So all of us might enjoy and learn, a formal study area was developed during the summers of 1972 and 1973 by the Youth Conservation Corps and the Bureau of Land Management.

Designed for use by the general public and school groups, the study area consists of self-guided interpretive trails. They are designed for leisurely walking, so take your time and enjoy the area. A full tour should take about an hour. Detailed information markers are placed along the trails to help you learn more about your environment.

Trails

(A) INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR TO SUMMIT LAKE: A little steep at first, this one-mile hiking trail segment affords the hiker a scenic overlook of the Indian Creek area on the way to little Summit Lake.
(B) SUMMIT LAKE TO CURTZ LAKE: This old jeep trail is closed to motor vehicle use and is now used as a hiking trail. About a mile long, it provides access between these two small lakes.

(C) CURTZ LAKE TO CARSON RIVER: It's all downhill along this two-mile trail segment, leading to the beautiful East Fork of the Carson River. A second portion of this trail, about a mile long, parallels the river. Remember, it's all uphill when you return from the river.

(D) INDIAN CREEK RESERVOIR TO CARSON RIVER: This faint, two and three-quarter mile trail offers some spectacular vistas of the surrounding mountains. This trail descends to the East Fork of the Carson River by a series of switch-backs, is steep in places and meets the river at a pleasant little clearing. The trail is seldom maintained, so use caution on rough segments.

When in the Back Country Please Remember.......

* No motor vehicles on the trails.

* Carry out your own trash.

* Be careful with all fires.

* California campfire permits are required for fires outside of a developed campground.

* Stay on the trails - don't cut across switchbacks.

* For safety, let someone know where you will be hiking and if possible, don't hike alone.

Safety On The Public Lands