Lassen National Forest and surrounding public lands near Burney, California offer several tent-only campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Dusty Campground, located on Lake Britton, provides tent campsites with fire pits and picnic tables from May to October. Rocky Campground, situated along Hat Creek about 30 minutes from Burney, features walk-in tent sites with creek access. North Battle Creek Campground offers both drive-in and walk-in tent sites near a reservoir, while Madesi Campground provides primitive tent camping along the Pit River. Hat Creek Dispersed area allows free primitive tent camping with basic amenities like vault toilets.
Most tent campgrounds in the Burney area feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal grading. Vault toilets are common, but potable water is limited to established campgrounds like Dusty and North Battle Creek. Forest service roads leading to backcountry tent sites often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or early in the season. Mosquitoes can be problematic near water sources, especially at Dusty Campground where one camper described "vast clouds of them" in early mornings. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans possible during dry summer months. Cell service is generally unavailable at primitive tent camping areas.
Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for exploring nearby attractions like Burney Falls, just minutes from Dusty Campground. According to reviews, Rocky Campground offers exceptional privacy for tent camping, with one visitor noting they "were the only people on our loop" and enjoyed "listening to the sounds of the creek all night." North Battle Creek's walk-in tent sites provide direct reservoir access with separate bathroom facilities for these campsites. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting deer, salmon, quail, and frogs. The diatomaceous earth at Dusty Campground can be challenging for tent campers, as the fine dust "gets into everything" and can make finding flat tent spots difficult, though the lakeside location compensates for this inconvenience.
$16 - $20 / night
"I last minute drove up to the Redding and Burney area to hike and see spring waterfalls in the area. I wanted a quieter campsite to relax at so Dusty was just right."
"Burney falls campground was full so 10 minutes away I found pg&e campground. It’s very small with approximately 7 sites but it’s right on lake Britton."
"First day out on the Tiger for a lap of Idaho & Montana and I see there might be a hot spring near the town of Big Bend. A great little twisty road from 299 to Big Bend put a smile on my face. "
"Take creek trail. Bathrooms, garbage, water available at main campground. 1 bar lte AT&T."
"This was a basic dry campground with nothing but clean vault toilets but we had a great time. The sites are pretty private and most overlook the creek. We were the only people on our loop."
"There are two sets on campsites, drive-up and walk-in."
"last time we visited the water was out of service at the drive in camp spots. to get to the lake access sites you have to get permission to drive past the gate. dogs cost $2 each night. a few of the signs"
$24 - $44 / night
GuideThe campground is basic with vault toilets and water spigots. Bear box, fire pit and picnic table provided. Some of the sites are very close to one another. Very dry and dusty in the summer time. Good location as far as getting to other points of interest in the park. Stayed in E loop for tents only which was nice because there was no noise from RVs and generators.
ScoutGroup camps have plenty of room in a fairly shaded Pine tree environment. Campers are spaced adequatley apart. Have to get water from the faucet outside the rest rooms which have flush toilets. No showers and no electricity but the Lake was great for cooling off.
RangerThe camp ground was beautiful. 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. There is no camp host so bring your own wood. The fee is $25 a night. The trash cans were over flowed and there was bags of trash outside of the garbage. Please don’t do this)-:
Weird vibes: when we pulled up there was only one other truck there. They were two people yelling at each other pretty loud so that was kinda awkward but, nothing crazy. Then we set up our tent and other car came to the spot next to ours and checked the bear box and was walking around the spot. They moved parked at another spot and did the same thing. I’m not sure if they left something or what was going on but, they just walked around to each site checking the bear box’s??
Not sure if I would return unless more people were there because I felt uncomfortable leaving my tent and things there unattended.
TravelerHas tents and cabin lodging. Flushable toilets with showers. Small store with limited items located in campground. 2 min from Burney falls or small beach on nearby lake. Campground is about 20-30 I’m away from Burney city where there is gas and a Safeway.
LegendLocated along the banks of Hat Creek this is a place for those who like to fish. Cross the road and you will find a Lava Cave to explore. Down the road is historic Burney Falls. This campground is my favorite along Hat Creek.
These sites have the usual amenitites - table, fire ring & food storage. Many are right on the creek itself. They are well spaced for privacy and the campground is not that big. Some of the sites are right on the road which can get noisy with the trucks. Try to get one back by the creek.
If you feel up to it the Pacific Crest Trail is nearby and you can do a leg.
There are showers down the road for rent in Old Station.
RangerWe only stayed here for an overnight on our way North, but it was a great campground. The fee was $16.00 a night. We pulled in about 9:00 PM and there were probably at least 10-12 sites occupied. We found site 46 to be perfect. There are no hookups, but each site has a picnic table, fire ring and grill. There is drinking water available through out the campground and vault toilets, which were pretty clean/well kept. Generators are allowed from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. There are also multiple dumpsters and recycling bins. Our T-Mobile cell service was super spotty and pretty much non-existent. The creek is beautiful and very accessible!
RangerWhere camped here just after they opened in April, 2021. The daytime visitors made for a large crowded parking lot and line at the entrance station, but so far on 8 campers in the 64 sites that were open.
It is a wonderfully shaded park (i.e. no solar) and the sites are nicely separated. However it is an older park and our 18 foot trailer was too large for many of the sites. There were no pull throughs and any trailer over 25 feet is going to have a problem. Otherwise, for the most part the pads were paved and flat.
They had solid picnic tables, aging stone fireplaces, but nice, newer heavy metal fire rings. Wood was available for purchase. There is no electric on site and the water faucets (not threaded) were scattered around the site. No dish water dump or cleaning station, but there was an RV dump station. They flush toilets with hot and cold water sinks as well as the showers (2 tokens for $1 = 4min) are excellent.
This is a cell dead zone. Absolutely no Verizon service until you drove back to Burney.
We really enjoyed the different hikes that were available, being around 2 miles more or less in length. The falls are the usual tourist zoo, but very beautiful. Once you get out on the trails, you don't see many people.
TravelerThe first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands.
The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance. There is one stream crossing but it is minor.
LegendThere is also a north campground called northshore on Lake Britton. This is a review of the very small but great Dusty Campground. on the south eastern side of the lake. I am a tent camper so reviewed from that perspective. Not sure trailers could get down there.
It is very small - less than 10 sites, but each is right on the lake. Lake Britton is great - seldom crowded during the week. You can fish, boat, kayak etc. But be aware that for "swimming" late in the summer and early fall it "mucks" up with algae so is really not for swimming then.
These sites are on the lake under oaks and pines. The campground is run by PG & E. The water comes from their Pit River complex and is regulated. There is a large dam at one end of the lake.
There are vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is no water.
You are real close to McArther Burney Falls State Park.
If you are into fall colors this is the place.
Be aware - no rservations - first come first served.
The Lassen National Forest area surrounding Burney sits at elevations of 3,000-4,000 feet with volcanic terrain and underground springs feeding numerous waterways. Tent campsites near Burney, California remain accessible from late spring through early fall, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 45-85°F. The region's volcanic history creates unique camping conditions including diatomaceous earth at some sites.
Fishing at Hat Creek: Hat Creek Dispersed camping offers primitive tent sites with excellent fishing access. "I've been going to this spot for 30 years and it's great, clean, peaceful, and great fishing," reports Daniel J., who frequently camps in the area.
Kayaking on Iron Canyon: The reservoir at Hawkins Landing Campground provides water recreation opportunities about 30 minutes northwest of Burney. Emily R. notes it's a "Great fishing spot with bathrooms! No phone/wifi service but it's a great camp spot!!"
Wildlife viewing at Ahjumawi: Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park Campground offers boat-in tent sites with opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Saw a few bears roaming the tree line, but they stayed far away," reports Brittany S., who visited the prairie-adjacent campground.
Waterfront camping: Dusty Campground on Lake Britton provides direct lakefront access. "The lake is maybe 20 feet from the site which is perfect for boat access and Lake Britton is my favorite I've ever been to," shares Danielle W., who has camped there regularly for years.
Private campsites: Twin Bridges Campground along Hat Creek offers secluded tent camping spots. David S. explains, "Many sites are creek front. Lots of large trees for shade. First come first served. No or very limited cell coverage. Hat Creek is a famous fly fishing stream."
Solitude and quiet: North Battle Creek Campground provides an escape from crowded camping areas. "This is a great spot that I almost didn't review because I don't want anyone else to know about it," admits Michael I., who appreciates the campground's relative isolation.
Road conditions: Many tent sites near Burney require driving on forest service roads. Christopher E. advises about Hat Creek Dispersed: "Road is rough only to top then levels out. Footbridge to main campground found midway in creek."
Insects and dust: Tent campers should prepare for mosquitoes, especially near water. Autumn O. warns about Dusty Campground: "The road isn't paved so every time someone drove by there would be a massive dirt cloud covering your tent and chairs, food, drinks."
Water sources: Many primitive tent sites lack potable water. At Twin Bridges, Jim Y. notes the area "Can be crowded at times but has lots of camp grounds" while mentioning "creek has native trout."
Beach access: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas for children. Tom B. found Dusty Campground when Burney Falls was full: "It's very small with approximately 7 sites but it's right on Lake Britton. There is even a little beach area for swimming and launching kayaks."
Educational opportunities: Madesi Campground includes accessible fishing platforms ideal for teaching children to fish. Greg B. discovered "a PG&E camp right on the Pit River. Complete with a beautiful, clean vault toilet and ADA fishing platform."
Movie history: Introduce kids to film history while camping. Laura H. shared about Dusty Campground: "Another perk of this campground is the railroad/bridge that was featured in the old movie Stand By Me is walking distance from the campsites."
Site selection: For RVs and trailers, seek level areas in dispersed camping zones. Doug W. notes about Hat Creek Dispersed: "Just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking."
Campground amenities: Crystal B. reports about Dusty Campground: "There are a few level spots for camp trailers. Right next to the lake with a little beach available. A favored local spot."
Walk-in site logistics: When choosing walk-in tent sites at North Battle Creek, Kylee C. advises: "To get to the lake access sites you have to get permission to drive past the gate. Dogs cost $2 each night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Burney, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Burney, CA is Dusty Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 46 tent camping locations near Burney, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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