Best Dispersed Camping near Burney, CA
Several dispersed camping sites are scattered around the Burney area in northern California on U.S. Forest Service land, including Big Pine Dispersed Camping, Hat Creek Dispersed, and North Manzanita Dispersed Camping. Most sites are situated in the Lassen National Forest region, with primitive campsites accessible via dirt roads. Free camping is permitted at most locations, with options ranging from creekside spots to more forested settings near Lassen Volcanic National Park. Campsites like Bogard USFS Dispersed, Christie Hill Basecamp, and Butte Creek provide backcountry access with varying degrees of remoteness.
Many access roads require slow navigation due to rough conditions, with several sites noting high-clearance vehicles are beneficial though not always required. Hat Creek Dispersed has relatively easy access with some rougher sections, while Big Pine Dispersed Camping features dirt roads navigable by most vehicles including larger RVs and travel trailers. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas permitting campfires while others enforce strict bans. Most dispersed sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and trash service, though Hat Creek Dispersed notably offers access to toilets, water, and trash facilities at a nearby developed campground. Standard 14-day camping limits apply to most locations.
The primitive sites offer varying experiences from creek-adjacent camping to forest settings. Big Pine Dispersed Camping receives consistently positive feedback for its creekside locations. "Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean with amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between," notes one visitor. For those seeking locations near Lassen Volcanic National Park, North Manzanita Dispersed Camping provides convenient access to the northwest entrance, though some campers mention road noise from nearby Highway 44. Christie Hill Basecamp, near the southern park entrance, has experienced some construction activity, with a visitor observing that "most of the pull-ins are just areas where the bulldozer pushed everything back." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many sites, with visitors to North Manzanita reporting no Verizon service but occasional AT&T connectivity.
