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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 dispersed 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.
"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"
"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."
"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."
"There are several very good campsites along Butte Lake Road as you approach the national park boundary. Many of these are just off the road and experience a fair bit of dust from cars passing by."
"We arrived late, and pulled into the first spot we found just to be safe. Woke up this morning and it's beautiful, quiet and no one else near by."
"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."
"Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes."
"It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right."
"This spot is great, plenty of space, quiet, great views of Mount Shasta, easy to access."
"High and dry. Great view of Shasta Mtn. 8 campers here in mid May. All 2 wheel low clearance accessible. 8 or more still available for higher clearance vehicle. T-Mobile reception good."
"The main road to Bogard Campground had too much snow for us to be able to pass through, so we found this small clearing tucked away off of Forest Route 32N09 in Lassen Nat’l Forest to stay overnight instead"
"We met a very kind older woman who had been there a while & said that not many people know this place exists, so it doesn’t get very busy. The campsite was well kept."
"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."
"We couldn’t get more than a quarter mile up the very rocky forest service road. The road is completely snow covered. Two others had the same problem."
"Originally we were at Salt flats i believe and had a bad experience there and came here. It is stunning and very spacious, there are fire pits around also."
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
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.
TravelerJust across the street from the red fir group campground, there is a good area among the trees for dispersed camping. No facilities or running water. Pretty flat spots scattered around between trees. We had a 21 ft long campervan that was relatively easy to drive around looking a for good spot. It had been dry and sunny days so ground was firm. There were about 8-10 other vehicles. The area was large enough that the nearest neighbor was at least 25 yards away. Good shady 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.
TravelerReally easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes.
GuideOverall good stay. I don’t think you can do fires right now and there wasn’t too many options of where to stay, but we ended up finding a spot that fit 2 SUVs. It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right. It was pretty hot at night, and a bunch of bugs so keep that in mind. There was plenty of shade at the spot we found. It was a like 10 minute drive to the lake which is what makes this spot so worth it!
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.
Dispersed camping near Burney, California provides wilderness experiences for outdoor enthusiasts in the Cascade Mountain Range. Most sites sit at elevations between 3,000-4,500 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures compared to the Central Valley. Winter access becomes limited by snowfall from November through April, with many forest service roads closing seasonally.
Fishing opportunities: Big Pine Dispersed Camping offers creek access where anglers regularly catch trout. "Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast. Quiet and safe and lots of shade," reports Christine M. Some visitors even discover unexpected treats: "Found some black raspberries along the creek," notes Meatball W.
Swimming spots: Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta provides access to nearby water recreation. "Lake Siskiyou is super close and was warm enough for a quick dip before hitting the road," writes Kimmerly M. The lake offers cooling relief during summer months when temperatures regularly reach the 80s.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights showcase spectacular celestial views at most sites. At North Manzanita Dispersed Camping, "Starlink worked great as always," mentions Brock S., indicating minimal light pollution. Christie Hill Basecamp provides "nice and quiet" conditions according to johny R., making it ideal for night sky observation during new moon phases.
Privacy between sites: Hat Creek Dispersed features well-spaced camping areas. Doug W. confirms finding "expansive meadows of boondocking" after a "short run of slightly rough road." This spacing creates a more secluded experience compared to developed campgrounds.
Creek sounds: Campers consistently mention enjoying falling asleep to water sounds. Nicole L. describes Big Pine Dispersed Camping: "I had a spot right up against the creek. Listening to that all night was chefs kiss." These natural white noise sources help mask any distant road sounds.
Morning wildlife: Red Fir Campground and surrounding areas offer good wildlife viewing opportunities. johny R. mentions Christie Hill Basecamp has "birds in the morning," while at Bogard USFS Dispersed, campers report chipmunks: "I left my dog's food out one afternoon & a chipmunk got to it," notes kami.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies significantly by carrier and location. "No Verizon service, not great for starlink but you won't need it because of the peace and beauty," reports Nicole L. at Big Pine. At North Manzanita, "1 bar AT&T, no service for Verizon," according to Brock S. Many sites require planning for limited connectivity.
Road conditions: Access roads present challenges depending on vehicle type. At Castle Lake Dispersed Camping, "I would probably not recommend with a trailer. I made it down with my Tacoma and a 12ft travel trailer but it was a stretch," warns Meatball W. Isabella M. adds that Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake requires "4 wheel drive only."
Construction activity: Some areas experience logging or development work. "Not sure what happened here but its under reconstruction. Some of the spots are gone," reports johny R. about Christie Hill Basecamp. Matt S. adds, "There appears to be logging or construction going on, as a previous review stated most of the pull ins are just areas that the bulldozer is pushed everything back."
Bug preparation: Insect activity increases seasonally. Sarah J. warns about Bogard USFS Dispersed: "Mosquitoes EVERYWHERE! We pulled in to the area around 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, not a single person around... Still tons of mosquitoes." Bring appropriate repellent, especially near water sources or during early summer.
Easy access sites: Some locations offer simpler entry for vehicles carrying children and gear. Regina L. notes about Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta: "It was one way in 1 way out. So we felt safe. The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs." Look for sites with established fire rings for safer campfire experiences.
Child-friendly features: Big Pine Dispersed Camping receives positive feedback for accommodating younger visitors. "Perfect spot for kids and dogs!" Christine M. reports. Many sites along creeks provide natural play areas, though supervision remains essential near water.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Butte Creek accommodates larger rigs with proper planning. "We have a 34 ft travel trailer and no issues getting into our spot," notes Whitney B. Nick C. adds valuable insight about site conditions: "The ground here is loose volcanic sand. I wouldn't recommend a heavy trailer rig or RV without 4x4 do anything but back back straight into this site."
Dumping station locations: Services for RVs require advance planning. Stephanie I. notes: "Water, dump, and trash are available at Old Station Visitor Information Center just north (RV sewer dump closes mid October)." Most dispersed camping areas have no hookups or waste facilities.
Turning space considerations: Forest roads often lack designated turnarounds. At Bogard USFS Dispersed, Laura M. found "a nice open flat-ish space, big enough for several rigs as well as big enough to do a complete u-turn in our 26ft class c without having to back up." Always scout ahead before driving large vehicles down unfamiliar forest roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available near Burney Falls?
Yes, free camping is available near Burney Falls in several locations. 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP offers quiet, remote camping with no services on a well-maintained gravel road marked for winter cross-country skiing. Most camping spots are along the edge of the road but provide plenty of privacy. Another free option is 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping, which is recommended by Lassen Volcanic National Park rangers. It's located just off Highway 44 with several clearings suitable for camping. Remember that all these free sites require self-sufficiency—bring your own water, pack out all trash, and follow dispersed camping regulations.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Burney Falls?
Several dispersed camping options exist near Burney Falls. Hat Creek Dispersed offers expansive meadows for boondocking with just a short drive on a slightly rough road. Another excellent option is Perry Riffle Trailhead, which provides easy access via a paved road, proximity to trails, and the Sacramento River within walking distance. This site has a pit toilet but no water or other services. For those seeking spots in the Lassen area, various Forest Service roads offer dispersed camping opportunities. Most of these sites require you to pack in everything you need and pack out all trash, following Leave No Trace principles.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Burney, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Burney, CA is Big Pine Dispersed Camping with a 4.9-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Burney, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 dispersed camping locations near Burney, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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