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Dispersed Camping

Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

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Location

Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

41.259044467688874 N
122.3722732122443 W

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Detours Nearby

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Castle Lake Campground

Castle Lake Campground

13 min away

Mt. Shasta Area

Mt. Shasta Area

1 hr 5 min away

Drive Time

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Access

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

Connectivity

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Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2025

Close to the lake. Beware of bugs

Overall good stay. I don’t think you can do fires right now and there wasn’t too many options of where to stay, but we ended up finding a spot that fit 2 SUVs. It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right. It was pretty hot at night, and a bunch of bugs so keep that in mind. There was plenty of shade at the spot we found. It was a like 10 minute drive to the lake which is what makes this spot so worth it!

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Grace A., August 12, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Grace A., August 12, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Grace A., August 12, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2025

Beautiful Forest

It was my husband and I's first time trying dispersed camping, and this was beautiful. We really enjoyed the location. It was one way in 1 way out. So we felt safe. The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs, but I believe that is due to the time of year. Would definitely stay here again. Few small spots at beginning of dirt road and then a few larger further down. Surrounded by dense forest.

SiteAbout 1 mile in
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Regina L., July 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Regina L., July 5, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Regina L., July 5, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2025

Perfect campsite!

Great campsite! Will be bumpy for a regular sedan but we did see a Prius roll by. There a 3-5 sites along the road and very spread apart. We did not hear any other campers even though there were at least 2 nearby. Google will try to get you to the coordinates but doesn’t know about the existence of the final dirt road to get you there. So it gets you to a point and then expects you to walk across a small ravine. But as the other reviewers stated, keep going on the road keeping in mind that you are trying to get to exact coordinates listed which are accurate. See one of my pics. Google has you stop at the red X, but keep going along the blue path drawn.

Siteprobably 3rd site in but nothing is marked
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Sam M., July 3, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Sam M., July 3, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Sam M., July 3, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2025

Great spot!

Turn off is about a mile after coordinates listed. Can’t miss the turn off. We stayed here exiting and entering CA. Exactly what we were looking for our one nighters. Lake Siskiyou is super close and was warm enough for a quick dip before hitting the road.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2025

Nice spot near Shasta

We stayed one night here for a break while driving north. As someone else mentioned the turn off is a little past the coordinates given, but the road is very obvious on the right side. The first few spots seemed small/tight, but we found a more spacious one a little down with a built up fire ring. As far as I could tell we were the only ones around on a Friday night.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Karsyn P., June 7, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Karsyn P., June 7, 2025
Reviewed May. 30, 2025

Serene Escape

Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes.

Site5
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Victoria B., May 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Victoria B., May 30, 2025
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Victoria B., May 30, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 23, 2025

Details below

I didn’t want to ruin the rating but it’s somewhat hard to find down a dirt path. Would recommend for 4 wheel drive only

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2024

Easy find near Castle Lake

You’ll have to enter a dirt road to get down to this spot. There will be several sites, but small ones all along that dirt road. This site specifically is good for when camping with a Van or small trailer.

SiteJust head down that dirt road
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta by Sabrina V., October 11, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Castle Lake compare to Lake Siskiyou for dispersed camping options?

The dispersed camping near Castle Lake offers more secluded, primitive sites spread along a dirt road, while Lake Siskiyou is closer to amenities and offers swimming opportunities. The Castle Lake area provides more isolation between campsites, with campers reporting they couldn't hear neighboring sites even when occupied. Lake Siskiyou is conveniently located for a quick swim during hot weather and is accessible for those wanting a refreshing dip before continuing their journey. Castle Lake camping provides a more rustic, off-grid experience with greater privacy than the typically more developed options near Lake Siskiyou.

Are there any rules or permits required for dispersed camping at Castle Lake?

No specific permits are required for dispersed camping near Castle Lake, but standard Forest Service dispersed camping regulations apply. Campfire restrictions are common during fire season, so be prepared with alternative cooking methods. The area follows the typical 14-day stay limit for dispersed camping on public lands. Practice Leave No Trace principles by using existing fire rings when fires are permitted and packing out all trash. Check with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for current fire restrictions and seasonal regulations before your trip.

Where are the best dispersed camping spots at Castle Lake?

The best dispersed camping spots near Castle Lake are found along a dirt road that's about a mile past where Google Maps coordinates typically lead. The fifth site in is particularly spacious and offers small hiking paths nearby. While the first few sites tend to be smaller and tighter, continuing further down the road reveals more open spots with established fire rings. There are approximately 3-5 sites along this road, well-spaced for privacy. Look for the obvious dirt road turnoff on the right side—you can't miss it—and choose sites based on your vehicle size and privacy preferences.

What is the best time of year for dispersed camping near Mt. Shasta and Castle Lake?

Summer is optimal for dispersed camping near Mt. Shasta and Castle Lake, with warm days perfect for swimming in nearby Lake Siskiyou. June through August offers the most reliable weather, though insects can be abundant in early summer. Late spring (May) begins the accessible season as snow melts, while early fall (September) provides fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures. Avoid winter months when snow makes access difficult, especially since reaching these sites requires navigating dirt roads that may require 4WD. Always check road conditions before traveling, as the access road can be challenging even in good weather.