Cabin camping near Anderson, California offers easy access to the Sacramento River and Shasta Lake region. Situated at elevations ranging from 430 to 1,000 feet, the area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F and mild winters, making seasonal preparation essential for comfort. The surrounding pine and oak forests create natural shelter at higher elevations while lakeside accommodations require advance planning during peak months.
What to do
Fishing at Trinity River: Near Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, visitors can access prime fishing spots. "There are tent sites away from the rv part... We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck," reports camper Corey L.
Boat rentals on Manzanita Lake: At Manzanita Lake Campground, kayak and canoe rentals are available at reasonable prices compared to other amenities. "Rental kayaks and paddle boards are overpriced so bring your own," advises Karl L., suggesting visitors bring personal equipment when possible.
Hiking trails from camp: Manzanita Lake offers multiple trail access points directly from the campground. "I loved being able to hike right by from the campground on multiple hikes," notes Kim G., highlighting the convenience of not needing to drive to trailheads.
What campers like
Panoramic views: Hirz Mountain Lookout offers a unique fire tower cabin experience. One camper notes, "The view will blow your mind. This place is special... You can see for miles Mt Shasta and Shasta Lake is the distance."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at some cabins. At Antlers RV Park and Campground, "The RV spaces are large and offer more privacy than most campgrounds," according to Adam, who stayed for four weeks.
Clean facilities: Mountain Gate isn't the only campground with cleanliness standards. Trinity Lake KOA Holiday maintains their grounds thoroughly: "Staff are driving around quite literally into the night hours keeping things clean," notes Samuel T.
What you should know
Bear activity: Watch for wildlife at several locations. At Antlers RV Park, one camper reported, "The bears got into the trash pretty regularly... It was very evident in the morning when the cans would be knocked over and rummaged through."
Lake water levels: Water levels vary seasonally at Trinity Lake KOA Holiday. Carina B. advises, "Beach is seasonal but can drive out on the mud, just don't get stuck. Rocky beach if water is low so bring your river shoes."
Reservation requirements: Trinity Lake KOA has specific check-in policies. "They have a later check in (3pm) but will allow early check in for $25," notes Amy, who also mentions that wireless internet is only available at the KOA store, contrary to some listings.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Red Bluff Recreation Area provides river access with quiet surroundings. "You are minutes from I-5 but it is impossible to hear the traffic. Right on the Sacramento River and the skies are remarkably dark," shares Denise W.
Kid-friendly activities: Trinity Lake KOA features numerous recreation options. "There are plenty of games like bocci and ladder ball. All in all we had a great time and would highly recommend it," writes Austin W., who utilized the property as a base camp.
Noise considerations: Weekends bring more activity at some locations. At Trinity Lake KOA, "Can get noisy on the weekends with dirt bikes etc driving around. Great for kids. Lot's to do," mentions Carina B., suggesting families should adjust expectations based on timing.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Antlers RV Park, location matters. "We looked at a handful of other campgrounds prior to staying here... the spaces are all in the woods with mostly shade, though there are some that get more sunlight than others."
Trailer considerations: Trinity KOA accommodates various setups. "I highly recommend getting a spot near the tents and exit to the river road if you are towing a trailer. We were on the end of Raccoon Rd and it was fantastic," shares Austin W.
Space limitations: Not all parks accommodate larger units. Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort has size limitations according to Jason D.: "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle."
