Best Cabin Camping near Black Butte Lake, CA

This is a gem in Red Bluff. CA. 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.

We paid $8 per night for a site with our Interagency Senior Pass, no hookups. There are some sites with water and electric for $25 or $12.50 with pass. No sewer dump available.

I did not use the showers or bathrooms. Quarters required for a hot shower. Husband says bathroom was clean.

Beautiful old sycamore trees give this park lots of shade in the hotter months and provide a peaceful setting even in the winter months.

It is only about an hour to Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center at Lassen NP.

In November when we stayed, there were maybe four or five other campers.

We would definitely return when we are driving thru.

This is a great spot close, but not too close to the highway. About 5-7 drive off the highway right next to the Sacramento River. There were about 20-25 sites that need to be booked online. It was full when we went, but we were able to boondock in the fisherman’s boat loading area w/out issue.

I stay here a lot as I pass through. Every single time there has been a methhead staying who is a ranting and raving lunatic dropping f-bombs this and m-fer that for the whole campground to hear. If they stopped taking cash it would fix a lot of problems separating vagrants from true nomads.

There are a TON of great sites here - with shade, without shade; flat, hilly; etc.. We camped there for the first time on opening weekend in April last year (2018). When we got there there were SO MANY PEOPLE. We were worried that there wouldn't be any spots left! And even if there were, they wouldn't be good spots.

But, no worries, there were plenty of sites spread around - it is a large reservoir. We found one that had shade, wasn't too sloped and wasn't even next to anyone else.

We are going again this year.

I've been to this campground twice now, and had very different experiences.  

The first time was memorial day in 2019, and we had a great spot right on the water.  We took our canoe and were able to launch from our site.  So ideal.  It was relatively quiet, and nobody immediately near us.  Amazing sunsets.

The second time we went was June 2020.  This time we stayed on the other side of the lake.  The water was super low, so our view was completely dried up.  Also, it was pretty noisy with sites cramming several tents onto their sites.

Either way, on both occasions we the site relatively last minute, maybe a week or two in advance.  Any Californian will know it isnt always easy to book last minute campsites, so I appreciate that!  There are 100+ campsites there, so it seems like always something available.  Plus, not too far from the bay area.

It was such a unique experience staying at Pine Mountain Lookout. The tower is unique in that it only gives a 180º view rather than 360º which allows you stunning views of the sunset. And they were absolutely gorgeous sunsets! There are cots provided just make sure you bring a sleeping bag, sheets, etc. It looks like they recently put in a new outhouse which was very clean! The only bad thing I have to say is there were a bunch of rodents; didn't see any while we were there, just a ton of mouse droppings on the counters and by the door in the morning, so make sure you pack away your food at night. There were also signs that rattlesnakes are in the area, but didn't see or hear any.

The roads driving up to the lookout tower are logging roads so they are a bit rough, this wasn't something we were expecting on our drive there. But overall it was an amazing experience. I can't wait to stay at another fire tower!