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Dispersed camping areas near Anderson, California include several free sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management and National Forest Service. Perry Riffle Trailhead offers primitive camping with drive-in access to the Sacramento River, while Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed provides free camping along gravel roads roughly 45 minutes from Redding. Other options include sites in Lassen National Forest, particularly in the vicinity of Christie Hill Basecamp and several dispersed camping zones near Lassen Volcanic National Park, such as 31N17N North Manzanita and Big Pine Dispersed areas.
Many access roads require careful navigation, with conditions ranging from maintained gravel to rough dirt roads with low-hanging branches. Cline Gulch features a narrow one-lane bridge leading to camping areas along a creek. Most sites have no amenities - no water, toilets, or trash service. Perry Riffle Trailhead is an exception with pit toilets and regular management presence. Fire regulations vary by location and season, with several areas allowing campfires in established rings while others prohibit fires entirely. The standard camping limit in most BLM areas is 14 days within a 365-day period, strictly enforced at some locations like Perry Riffle.
These primitive camping locations provide varying levels of seclusion and natural features. Sites along Trinity Lake offer lakeside camping, while several areas feature creekside spots with the sounds of running water. Big Pine Dispersed Camping receives particularly strong feedback for its creek access and spacious sites. "Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean with amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between," noted one camper. Near Lassen National Park, the Christie Hill area provides high-clearance vehicle access just minutes from the park's southern entrance. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most sites, with campers reporting "Zero cell service" at Cline Gulch and minimal coverage at other locations.
"Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services."
"This is just a gravel parking lot, but it's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river. Several horse and hiking trails start from here. There's a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling."
"This site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there."
"No amenities of any kind."
"Great location off 299. 5 miles from Big Flat"
"Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between."
"Easy dirt road in my sedan. Some logging I think(?) at around 4am or something actually. But slept easily enough. Best to go farther in for a better experience"
"Being right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true."
"We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park."
"No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully."
"Just off the main highway. Gravel road in. We had a Ford van that had no problem driving over the dirt and gravel road. There are sites with fire rings and relatively flat ground."
"As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking."
"Car camping----->Vanlife----->Skoolie life (present day). Must be the Shasta energy, I love this place, and I have to return."
"This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."
"dispersed camping
- no amenities
- a beautiful open field with the woods in the back and Trinity lake in the front
- you could camp in the open field or in the woods"
"Lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area."
LegendLovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area. Most camp spots are right on the edge of the road but lots of room and plenty of privacy. Leave no trace. Pack in, pack out.
RangerThe good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.
The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.
That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.
It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.
I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.
Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management
RangerWe arrived late after dark and found the area to be quite far off the beaten path. It was another overnight stop for us while traveling through the area.
We located the designated spot, but the signage was confusing. There were numerous signs stating “No Camping” and “Day Use Only,” even though there were established fire pits present. It was difficult to tell whether the specific area we were in allowed overnight stays while the surrounding area did not.
The river was nice, and the area itself is pretty. However, the road leading to the site is rough and best suited for 4x4 vehicles. There is also a fairly steep downhill section to reach the parking area.
One positive was the solitude. We didn’t see a single vehicle pass by during our entire stay, so it was very peaceful and quiet throughout the night.
I’m giving this location one star, not because of the scenery, but because of the confusing camping regulations. If the camping situation had been clearly marked, I would probably rate it two or three stars. Stay at your own risk and verify the rules for yourself before spending the night.
There are no hookups, no water, and no amenities. At least from the spot where we stayed, there wasn’t even a maintained trail down to the river.
RangerBeing right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true. Sure enough, there were established fire pits, although I’m fairly certain there is a burn ban for much of the year. I didn’t want to risk it, so I skipped even using a Solo Stove.
This is a decent overnight spot, but not really a destination in itself. We spent the day exploring the nearby Manzanita Lake picnic area and driving the scenic road through Lassen, including the Bumpass Mountain area, before returning after dark to spend the night.
The campsite itself isn’t anything particularly special, but it serves its purpose well as a quick and easy overnight stop. The sites are tucked back among the pines and feel reasonably secluded.
In dry conditions, I think most two-wheel-drive vehicles would be fine getting here. The gravel road has some fairly deep ruts in places, but the campsites are located very close to the road, so there isn’t much driving required once you arrive.
Starlink worked surprisingly well, even with the surrounding pine trees.
There are no amenities here—no water, toilets, trash service, or hookups—but Lassen National Park is just a short drive away if you need facilities during the day.
Overall, it’s a convenient and quiet overnight stop for anyone exploring the Lassen area.
GuideEasy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.
ScoutAs one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking.
TravelerWe found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.
Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.
Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.
Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.
TravelerThis is a small flat area near the base of Christie Hill. The turn off of the Hwy 89 is at the McGowan SnoPark area (really just a logger's staging area). There are a handful of very rough roads one could pull off the road and camp in a tent on (or 4x4 van). For a larger RV or travel trailer, we found only one spot (40.390996,-121.540748) that was large enough to accommodate our 32 foot travel trailer. It is right along the road, but there is virtually no traffic here, so we found it acceptable.
I do not believe there are any good spots further down the road. A word of caution as well - the lake just beyond here (McGowan Lake) - is privately owned and gated. It is not available for camping.
ScoutSame experience as the other reviews. Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right. The turnoff is on Google maps and was easy to find even in the dark. Nobody else around that we saw, even given the busy weekend! Agreed with others on the road noise but it was fine. Just a few minutes from Manzanita lake. Great find!
Dispersed camping areas near Anderson, California offer various free camping options on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in this region, with cooler 40-50°F nights in spring and fall. Most free camping sites in this area sit between 1,000-4,000 feet elevation, with access roads that can become challenging after rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: At Perry Riffle Trailhead, campers can access the Sacramento River for fishing. "Sacramento River is within walking distance," notes camper Al L. The area also features "several horse and hiking trails" that start directly from the camping area.
Trout fishing: Creek access at Big Pine Dispersed Camping provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast," shares Christine M. Some campers even report finding "black raspberries along the creek" for foraging.
Hiking trails: Many dispersed camping areas serve as trailheads. Perry Riffle Trailhead offers "lots of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly," according to Sadie P. The site functions as both a camping area and recreation access point.
Creek sounds: Campers consistently mention the peaceful sound of flowing water at several sites. At Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed, campers appreciate finding "a perfect spot right by the river... stunning, private, shady and green," as Hillary S. describes.
Privacy and spacing: Big Pine Dispersed Camping earns praise for its site layout. Bruce E. notes it has "amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between. Nice and quite, other than the beautiful sounds of the babbling creek & birds."
Proximity to Lassen: Christie Hill Basecamp provides convenient access to Lassen National Park. "Great location for dispersed camping just minutes from the southern lassen entrance," writes cassie. Josh P. adds it's "only 9 minutes from the Lassen NP visitor center."
Cell service limitations: Most free camping areas have minimal connectivity. Cline Gulch has "zero cell service," while some sites near Lassen have limited reception. At North Trinity Lake, there's typically no service at the campsites.
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. At Big Pine Dispersed Camping, "the road is a little narrow if you come in from Twin Pines road" according to Meatball W. Christie Hill Basecamp requires careful navigation as "if you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully," advises Robert N.
Wildlife concerns: Ticks can be problematic in warmer months. At Cline Gulch, one camper reported "my dog and I both got bitten by ticks - and we woke to find 8 other dead ticks in our bed," causing them to leave early.
Kid-friendly water access: Some sites offer safer water play areas for children. At Big Pine Dispersed Camping, Christine M. calls it a "perfect spot for kids and dogs" being "right next to the creek and big spots" with "plenty of shade."
Avoiding party areas: Some locations occasionally attract locals for gatherings. At Cline Gulch, Casey B. notes "the first spot you come across is super cute with little stone sculptures in the creek... and then you realize it's most likely a locals party zone."
Overnight convenience: For families needing a quick overnight stop, Olive Pit Dispersed Lot offers convenience. It includes a "small pet area" and is "super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket," according to Chanel C.
Site selection for larger rigs: Big Pine Dispersed Camping accommodates various RV sizes. Stephanie I. confirms "we found a could spots that our 38ft fifth wheel could fit, and many spots for smaller rigs."
Level parking considerations: Finding level spots matters for comfort. At 31N17N North Manzanita, Brock S. mentions it's "quite level for our 23' rig. Nice smooth road to access. If I had to say one negative it would be the dusty road."
Facilities access: No hookups exist at these free sites, but some amenities can be accessed nearby. For Big Pine campers, Stephanie I. notes "water, dump, and trash are available at Old Station Visitor Information Center just north" though the "RV sewer dump closes mid October."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Anderson, CA?
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Anderson. Perry Riffle Trailhead offers easy access via paved roads with a pit toilet and trails along the Sacramento River. Big Pine Dispersed Camping provides clean creek-side sites with fire pits and ample space between campsites. For those willing to drive a bit further, the Lassen National Forest area has numerous dispersed camping opportunities. Remember that dispersed camping typically requires you to pack in and pack out all supplies, including water, and follow Leave No Trace principles.
Can I bring my RV to dispersed camping areas around Anderson, California?
Olive Pit Dispersed Lot is a free overnight parking area that welcomes RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles in a safe location with relatively heavy traffic. For those seeking more natural settings, 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping can accommodate RVs, though the dirt road access requires careful navigation. Most dispersed sites have space limitations - smaller Class B or C RVs generally have more options than large Class A motorhomes or fifth wheels. Check road conditions before heading out, as many forest roads are unpaved and may be difficult for larger rigs.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Anderson, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Anderson, CA is Perry Riffle Trailhead with a 3.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Anderson, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Anderson, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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