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Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Lower Rush Creek Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Lower Rush Creek Campground is located near Adin, CA, surrounded by forested terrain and rolling hills. The area experiences temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Modoc National Forest and the Lava Beds National Monument, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration.

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Location

Lower Rush Creek Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Adin travel north on Hwy139/299 7.6 miles to County Road 198. Turn right on County Road 198 and go .1 mile to Rush Creek Dr/Lower Rush Creek Road. Turn left and continue on .5 miles to Lower Rush Creek Campground.

Coordinates

41.28010117 N
120.878686 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Lower Rush Creek Campground needs a permit.


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2025

OK for an overnight stop

Small campground with 10 or so sites. 6 of them are drive up, and there are 4 tent only sites that you have to cross a small bridge to get to. We walked around back there, and you can tell these barely ever get used. Site #5 fit our 22 foot travel trailer and truck really well. The loop around is tight, but you could probably get through with a 24 or 25 foot trailer if you were careful. I wouldn't try anything bigger than that though. 

This was a decent (and free!) place to spend a night if you are traveling through, but probably not worth it to spend more than a day. We came on a Friday afternoon in mid July and had the whole place to ourselves. By that night we had one neighbor, so it is definitely quite, and even during the busiest times you will probably get a spot no problem.

The creek is small, and access is somewhat hard to get to since it has steep sides on a lot of it. There are quite a few ticks that like the grass near the waters edge too. We were careful and still ended up pulling a few off that night, so use caution. Didn't notice any hanging around the campsites themselves. 

Also, you are within sight of several properties and houses right next to the campground, so it doesn't really feel all that remote or private. Someone ended up cruising up and down the road in the middle of the night with loud engines, and it kept us awake, so all and all wasn't a super pleasant camping experience, but if all you need is a quick overnight spot it would do the trick.

Site5
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2025

Quiet mostly, great free stop

It was great. For a free campground it has space, bathrooms, and trash bins. You can't ask for me from a free spot than this! It was chilly even in June

Site5
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Lower Rush Creek Campground by goose10091203 , June 22, 2025
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2022

Great USFS campground right of hwy

Free usfs camping! Secluded little campground right off 299. Follow directions on Dyrt app as coordinates don’t quite take you to the actual campground. There is signage as you turn off 299 but mileage is off. Pit toilets, trash and seasonal? water (was off when we were here in late October). Sites may be small for a big rig but fit our van with plenty of room.

Site3
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lower Rush Creek Campground by Aliza  N., October 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Lower Rush Creek Campground by Aliza  N., October 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Lower Rush Creek Campground by Aliza  N., October 27, 2022
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2020

Shady, quiet spots, lovely creek passing through

This campground is not far from the highway, on a nicely maintained gravel road. Some private homes not too far from the grounds. There were about 10 sites here, each had fire pit. You should be careful to read about fire restrictions in the area, just in case. At the time we were there, you could have fires in designated areas, but please make sure they’re out cold when you’re done! The front part of the camp ground has drive in sites and across the bridge, over the creek, there were a handful more walk up sites that were nicely shaded and removed. Those back sites had these sort of ovens as opposed to traditional fire pits. The pit toilets were decently clean, but quite dark inside. There are water spigots, but no water comes out - we later saw a sign posted saying that the water system was shut off. There’s little to no Verizon service. Overall, it was a nice quiet, shady place to stay!

Site5
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lower Rush Creek Campground by Alex P., August 11, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lower Rush Creek Campground?

Lower Rush Creek Campground offers basic but functional amenities. Each of the approximately 10 sites includes a fire pit. The campground provides pit toilets and trash bins. Water is seasonally available but may be turned off during late fall and winter months (like October). The campground has both drive-up sites and tent-only sites, with the tent sites accessible via a small bridge. Despite being free, the campground is well-maintained with adequate facilities for a comfortable wilderness experience.

Where is Lower Rush Creek Campground located?

Lower Rush Creek Campground is located just off Highway 299 in California. The campground is accessible via a well-maintained gravel road that branches off from the highway. While it's close enough to the highway for convenient access, it remains secluded enough to provide a peaceful camping experience. There are some private homes in the vicinity, but they don't detract from the natural setting of this USFS (United States Forest Service) campground.

Do I need reservations for Lower Rush Creek Campground?

Reservations are not required for Lower Rush Creek Campground as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This free USFS campground has about 10 sites total, with 6 drive-up sites and 4 tent-only sites across a small bridge. The tent sites appear to be less frequently used, potentially offering more availability. For the best chance at securing a spot, especially during peak camping seasons, arriving early is recommended.

What activities can I do near Lower Rush Creek Campground?

The area around Lower Rush Creek Campground offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. Being tucked away in a natural setting, it's ideal for hiking and nature exploration. The campground's location makes it a good base for fishing in nearby waters, wildlife viewing, and photography. Stargazing is excellent in this secluded area. The proximity to Highway 299 means you're not far from other regional attractions. Be sure to check current fire restrictions before planning campfires or cooking activities, as regulations can vary seasonally.