Shasta County's camping options near Anderson, California sit at 430 feet elevation in the northern Sacramento Valley. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from June through September with minimal rainfall. The area serves as a gateway to both Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Trinity Alps, with campgrounds clustered around Shasta Lake, offering year-round access due to the mild winter climate.
What to do
Fishing at Sacramento River: Red Bluff Recreation Area provides direct access to Sacramento River fishing. One visitor noted, "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."
Swimming in Shasta Lake: At Antlers RV Park and Campground, campers can cool off during hot summer days. A reviewer shared, "We took tubes out and laid in the water and soaked up the sun, it was so nice. It's especially so calming because there isn't a million boats on the lake partying and such it's just quiet and calm water."
Hiking near Crystal Creek: The Crystal Creek Primitive Campground offers easy access to Whiskeytown trails. As one camper reported, "These sites are equipped with a pit toilet, fire rings, picnic tables, and a food locker to deter the bears. I put my food in the locker, and I'm very glad I did. About 3am something woke me up sniffing around my hammock."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Mountain Gate RV Park consistently receives praise for maintenance. A recent reviewer shared, "We loved our stay. We felt safe and it's probably one of the most cleanest campground and facilities I've ever been to. Clean bathrooms, showers, zero trash around."
Convenient amenities: Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot offers full hookups with additional perks. According to one camper, "Clean facilities, well maintained grounds and friendly neighbors. Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door."
Natural settings: Despite being close to urban areas, many campgrounds maintain natural environments. A visitor to Mary Smith Campground reported, "Beautiful, quiet campground with nice views of Lewiston Lake. The glamping units have the best view so I hope to check those out next time."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in several campgrounds. At Antlers RV Park, one camper noted, "The other issue is the bears. Its wasn't an issue of them bothering us, we only physically saw them one time in four weeks. They got into the trash pretty regularly though."
Seasonal considerations: Water levels can affect recreation options. A visitor to Mary Smith Campground stated, "Pretty close to the water, however, this year summer 2021 the water is very low. The camp ground offers bathrooms, bear boxes, very nice fire rings and clean water."
Noise factors: Some locations experience noise from nearby transportation. A camper at Battle Creek Campground mentioned, "It was very quiet but you can occasionally hear cars from the highway."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: For families seeking water recreation beyond the lake, Boulder Creek RV offers additional options. A visitor observed, "The grounds were beautiful, and included a small waterfall & koi pond, and a play structure for the littles."
Safety considerations: When glamping near Anderson, California with children, bathrooms matter. A family at Lakehead Campground & RV Park shared, "The showers weren't fancy but the water was hot, and there was a big sink for doing your dishes."
Budget options: Less expensive camping options exist for families watching costs. At Battle Creek Campground, a camper noted, "The sites are first come, first serve and it was $18/night. We came on Fri 7/28 at 6pm and there were still sites available."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Mountain Gate RV Park, RV placement matters. One RVer advised, "Sites level. Nice pool and laundry room. One night stay and arrived late so did self check in...no password for bathrooms were given, so asked a neighbor for a password."
Extended stays: For those needing longer accommodations while glamping near Anderson, some parks offer weekly rates. An RVer at Antlers RV Park shared, "We stayed here for 4 weeks while traveling for work in Redding. The spaces are all in the woods with mostly shade, though there are some that get more sunlight than others."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies significantly. An RVer at Antlers noted, "There's a cell tower on the way in to the campground. You can expect two to three bars of LTE from both AT&T and Verizon."
