Best Tent Camping near Blue Lake, CA
Public lands surrounding Blue Lake, California offer several tent camping options, from established campgrounds to dispersed sites. BLM Dispersed Camping at Lacks Creek provides free tent sites about 18 miles east of Highway 101, with basic amenities including fire rings and vault toilets. Groves Prairie Dispersed Camp, located in Six Rivers National Forest, features three primitive tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Penn Campground in Sue-meg State Park offers tent-only sites with more amenities, including showers and food lockers, while Elam Backcountry Camp in Redwood National Park provides hike-in tent camping with bear lockers.
Most tent campgrounds in the region require preparation for minimal facilities. Groves Prairie and Lacks Creek have vault toilets but no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Access roads to these primitive tent camping areas can be challenging, with Lacks Creek requiring a 40-minute drive on windy gravel roads from Highway 299. Tent campers should check seasonal conditions, as early summer can bring ticks at lower elevations, particularly at Lacks Creek. Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent at most backcountry tent sites, with Groves Prairie offering perhaps one bar of unreliable Verizon service.
Tent-only sites provide unique experiences not available to RV campers. At Penn Campground, tent sites are tucked into green enclaves that create a sense of seclusion even when neighboring sites are occupied. One camper at Groves Prairie noted they "came to see the Perseids Meteor Shower and did not see a soul" during their stay. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently visiting campsites at night. Walk-in tent sites at Flint Ridge in Redwood National Park offer the chance to camp among giant trees with ocean views, though recent vegetation growth has reduced visibility. Backcountry tent camping in this region rewards those willing to travel on rough roads with exceptional solitude and natural surroundings.
