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Kangaroo Lake Campground
Kangaroo Lake campground has 18 sites, 13 of which are drive-in and 5 are walk-in. The campground also provides accessible facilities, including a 1/4 mile paved trail right down to the lake. The lake itself covers 25 acres, and is 110 feet deep. There is no boat ramp but motorless boats are permitted.
This is Bear Country. All food must be secured overnight and when not attended. Always keep a clean camp and do not feed animals, squirrels and rodents.
Due to elevation, access determined by snow levels.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 10/15/23 Campground is closed for the season. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | $15 per night, free day use |
| Permit Info: | Fee envelopes are available at Self Pay Station |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | July-August |
| Restrictions: | No motorized boats or watercraft are allowed on the lake. Dogs on leash only. Camping limit 14 days. |
| Closest Towns: | Callahan (limited services), Etna (full service) |
| Water: | Drinking Water June through mid-October |
| Restroom: | Vault |
| Passes: | America the Beautiful Senior Pass and Access Pass are honored at this location for half price camping fees |
| Operated By: | US Forest Service |
General Information
Accessibility:Restrooms are accessible for wheelchairs. Two fully accessible campsites.
Parking:
Two vehicles per site. Additional vehicles may be parked in the general parking lot.
Directions:
From Callahan, take the Callahan-Gazelle Rd for approx. 10 miles to the Rail Creek Rd. There is a sign for Kangaroo Lake, and this road will take you the 8 miles to the campground.
Activities
Campground Camping
Popular lake campground that provides handicapped accessible facilities and lake access.| No. of Sites | Reservations not available. All sites are first come, first served. |
| Reservation Info | Some |
| Fire Information | Campfires in fire rings provided, subject to local restrictions. |
| No. of Accessible sites | 18 |
RV Camping
Popular lake campground that provides handicapped accessible facilities and lake access.
General Info:
ParkingWatch overhead for low-hanging branches
| No. of Sites | 18 |
| Reservation Info | No reservations |
| Pavement Type for Parking | Asphalt |
| Hookup - Water | Water available, no hook-ups |
| Size Restrictions | 30' |
| Hookup - Sewer | No |
| Dump Stations | No |
| Hookups - Electric | No |
| Fire Information | Campfires in fire rings provided, subject to local restrictions. |
| No. of Accessible sites | Some |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Sidewalk and fishing pier for access. Stocked with Rainbow Trout.| Fish Species | Planted Rainbow Trout |
| Fishing Platform | 2 fishing piers |
| Cleaning Station | no |
| Accessible Platform | 1 accessible fishing pier |
| Water Temperature | cold |
| Water/Flow Level | Lake level remains fairly constant all season. Water temperature stays very cold all summer. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
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Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is possible in mid-winter when the ice is a safe thickness (4 inches or more) to walk on. Access to the lake is mainly by snowmobile, cross country skis or snowshoes.| Fish Species | Planted Rainbow Trout |
| Cleaning Station | None |
| Accessible Platform | Fishing platform may not be accessible in winter. |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |
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Day Hiking
The Fen Trail is a self guided nature trail with great diversity of plants and geology. Trail is 2 miles round trip with 600 feet elevation gain. Nice views of the lake along the way. For longer hikes, continue on the Pacific Crest Trail. There is also a hiking trail around the lake.| Fire Information | A current California Campfire Permit is required to use a camp stove, barbecue or have a campfire outside the developed campground. Local fire restrictions supersede the campfire permit. Inquire at the Ranger Station before having a fire. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Backpacking
The Pacific Crest Trail is short hike from the Kangaroo Lake Campground. The trail runs predominately northeast to southwest along the boundary between the Klamath National Forest and the Shasta Trinity National Forest. The trail makes a U turn here. Travelers heading to Oregon Washington and Canada must turn south west from here and travelers heading to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Mexico must leave Kangaroo Lake heading northeast.
| Fire Information | A current California Campfire Permit is required to use a camp stove, barbecue or have a campfire outside the developed campground. Local fire restrictions supersede the campfire permit. Inquire at the Ranger Station before having a fire. |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Permit: | California campfire permits are required outside developed campgrounds and day use areas. |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |
Viewing Wildlife
A good area for riparian wildlife along the lake shore and forest birding. Some small mammals frequent the campsites.Viewing Plants
Surrounding the Lake and totaling 430 acres, the Kangaroo Lake Botanical Area varies in elevation from 6000-6857 ft. and provides a diversity of plant habitats ranging from wet seeps and meadows to rock walls.| Species | Phacelia dalesiana and Epilobium siskiyouense |
| Special Feature | The Fen Trail is a self-guided, 2 mile round trip trail with numbered sign posts along the way to identify plants and features. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
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Viewing Scenery
Climb a short way up the Fen Trail to the Lake overlook at post 5. Great views of the lake and it's glacial cirque.| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate |
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Interpretive Areas
The Fen Trail is a self guided nature trail with great diversity of plants and geology. Trail is 2 miles round trip with 600 feet elevation gain. Nice views of the lake along the way.| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |
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Boating - Non-Motorized
Kangaroo Lake covers 25 acres, and is 110 feet deep. There is no boat ramp and boats must be carried approx 400 feet to the water from the parking area. No motors are permitted on the lake. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and there are also brook and brown trout occasionally caught here.
| Launch Ramps | None |
| Trailer Parking | Paved parking for day use. |
| Type of Craft | All portable boats capable of being carried. |
| Water/Flow Level | Lake level remains fairly constant all season. Water temperature stays very cold all summer. |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |
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Swimming
Swimming, wading and water play off the sandy beach at Kangaroo Lake.| Clothing Requirements | Swimming attire required. |
| Water Temperature | Water is cold melted snow. |
| Water/Flow Level | Lake level remains fairly constant all season. Water temperature stays very cold all summer. |
| Difficulty Level: | Intermediate to Difficult |
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