Best Tent Camping near Burnt Ranch, CA

Tent Camping Reviews near Burnt Ranch, CA

655 Reviews of 45 Burnt Ranch Campgrounds

• J

  Jessica R.

  Guide

  Aug. 22, 2018

  Emerald Forest Cabins & RV

  Tent camping: Very dark with uneven ground

  We stayed here one night last year. We’d hoped to stay at Patrick’s Point State Park, but it was full. The woman who set us up with a tent site here was super friendly and helpful. She offered advice for where to eat in the area and points of interest.

  My daughters and I checked out the Bay Area and hiked the Trinidad Head. It was a beautiful afternoon. We had dinner at the Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery which was nice with a friendly server and good American fare.

  After we returned we looked at the little arcade area in the cabins area. It reminded me in a nostalgic way of the arcade area in the 80’s movie Starfighter. Very fun.

  Although it wasn’t quite dark yet when we headed back to our site, it was VERY dark in the back area with the tent sites fue to heavy tree cover. Finding our spot was difficult in the dark. The path is winding and doesn’t exactly match the campground map and the ground was very uneven. I was glad we have four wheel drive.

  The campsite was also very uneven and had a steep drop off to a creek bed on the side. Luckily we’d planned to car camp and only had to fold down the sleeping area in our vehicle. I can’t imagine trying to set up a tent on that site in the pitch blackness. I’m not sure that the site had any amenities like a picnic table or water or a fire ring. I couldn’t see anything!

  Overall I’d stay here again, but I’d get there way before dark and set up camp first before adventuring in the area. I love the Trinidad/Eureka area. There’s lots to do and see. I gave the three stars because the tent site area ground is so uneven and so unlit.

  Read More
• 

  Christy C.

  Legend

  Jun. 29, 2016

  Elk Prairie Campground — Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

  Camping in the Redwoods

  This campground was primitive and very "natural" in setting. The sites had a bear box for food storage and there were Elk grazing near our loop. We picked blackberries and watched bluejays landing nearby. There was a restroom with pay showers and a ranger station at the entrance. Not a lot here but plenty to do up the road on the Newton B Drury Pkwy we visited the ancient Redwoods that were amazing. Also, can drive to Fern Valley if you rig isn't too big. That is where a scene from Jurassic park was filmed.

• 

  Christina L.

  Guide

  Oct. 7, 2020

  Burlington Campground — Humboldt Redwoods State Park

  Lovely Camping

  We came here in early October 2020 for a Friday - Monday trip. The campsite is large and spots are spaced out. Due to COVID a lot of sites were closed, which made everything feel very spaced out.

  The area is beautiful. The campsite it self has tons of beautiful redwoods and ferns on the property. It was beautiful to just sit and admire the scenery.

  Bathrooms and showers were clean and the campsites were across the street from some short but beautiful hikes.

  The visitor center was closed but right next door. The area to check in did sell wood and we noticed a lot of staff throughout our trip.

  The campsite was super quite and very peaceful.

  We brought our dog which was great. Lots of trees and lots of shade. I think almost every site was shaded. Bring your hammocks because there was plenty of locations on each site to set them up. I would be aware that many of the upper sites are on a slope.

  Each site came equipped with a fire ring/grill, picnic table and bear box.

  We had the best time and went a little ways up north to go fishing outside of Fortuna. We actually caught a fish this time :) Fishing near the campsite was not recommended due to the low water level. However, their were plenty of options just a short drive away.

  We stayed at site #35 which was large but had a slope. However, we were able to find two kind of flat spots to put tents and it was totally fine.

  Read More
• 

  Dan G.

  Guide

  May. 5, 2023

  Oak Bottom Tent Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

  Shoreline site is the way to go.

  Very glad I got the site I did(SC10). The shoreline sites allow you your own little spot on the lake, although some seemed better then others. Site was sloped and uneven but did have a couple flat spots for tents. Not a ton of shade but what little shade it did have was next to tent flats. Table, fire and bear box were in full sun all day which makes afternoon food prep on a hot day a bit brutal. You do get some noise from the 299 at night. The walk in and out to the parking is a bit steep and further then other sites but it does mean you get a little more privacy. I was there to kayak fish for the weekend and the site was perfect for that. My guess is the place becomes a madhouse in the summertime and the non shoreline sites are pretty close together. I personally wouldn’t stay in a non shoreline site here, but that’s me. The lake is beautiful and there’s a beach at the campground, though really hot in the summer. I would give site SC10 4-stars but the campground overall 3-stars.

  Read More
• 

  Rosie H.

  Guide

  May. 30, 2021

  East Fork Campground

  Clean bathrooms

  The spot I was in was small and nestled in a grove of aspen trees. The bear locker was well maintained and the fire ring was double walled. There were flush toilets with working lights and the tent pad was level.

  Its a short drive to some great hikes, but the campground itself was too busy and too close to the highway to use as a good starting point.

• 

  Chanel C.

  Legend

  Oct. 16, 2021

  Hidden Springs Campground — Humboldt Redwoods State Park

  BRB sleeping in the trees

  • Sites are well spaced apart and have great privacy
  • The Stellar Jays are so fun to watch here — they are very confident and brave birds, they come into your camp and squawk all day
  • It’s so lush and green here. Plenty of shade under the bug trees, and lots of nature to see
  • Restrooms and showers are clean and big
  • Each site has a bear box, picnic table, and fire ring

  • Not great for parking trailers
  • TONS of mosquitoes. The children and I were eaten alive
  • Be careful of the poison oak everywhere! Watch your kids. They are all around the campsite.
  • While sites are private and secluded, they are a little small. You can probably fit 2 small tents

  Read More
• 

  Chloe T.

  Traveler

  Nov. 4, 2017

  Oak Bottom Tent Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

  Great for Shoulder Season

  We camped in Oak Bottom in October when the days were hot and the evenings were cool. Because it's the shoulder season, their were fewer people there, which allowed us to have more space... no one in adjacent sites. However, if you are there during the high season, you will be crammed on top of one another. The only reason to tolerate that would be the close access to water. Again, because we were there during the late season, the water was low enough that it took some strategizing to get down there to get our SUPs in the water. Once we were in, it was perfect... cold and plenty deep. Oak Bottom is a tent only site, which is also a positive in my book. No generators or other vehicle sounds. The others in our area were also very quiet... no annoying music or loud voices during quiet hours. But, of course, that can't be guaranteed and I'm sure is different when the sites are filled since they are so VERY close together. Overall, I would recommend camping at Oak Bottom. If you're going during the busy season and you can afford it, reserve two spots!

  Read More
• 

  Andi M.

  Guide

  May. 21, 2022

  Van Duzen County Park - Pamplin Grove

  Breathtaking

  We’ve been camping up and down highway 101 for about two weeks now, and this was by far our favorite place! We practically had the place to ourselves! The trees are absolutely massive and gorgeous. The river is clean, and relaxing. Swimming here is so fun! Cold, but refreshing! Plenty of space for our two tents, grated on the fire pits and fire wood available. Very easy drive to get to it and super easy to find. Come check this place out! Remember to follow Leave No Trace Principles though!

• 

  Chanel C.

  Legend

  Dec. 17, 2019

  Agate Campground — Sue-meg State Park

  10/10 Would stay again!

  [ PROS]

  • Super lush and foresty campground right by the Pacific Ocean. There is so much to see all around the campgrounds. You can go for a hike and the Rim Trail which perimeters the park, you can go down to the beach and hunt for agates, explore tidepools, look at birds and other wildlife, and go to the visitor center.

  • Each site came with a picnic table, bear box, fire ring, and two parking spots.

  • Sites were surprisingly large! We stayed at Site#99 and it was super spacious. It even had a hidden area that was under large trees that was perfect for setting up tents.

  • I love how the sites were also very private. Each site seemed to be carved out of the brush so you’re just enclosed in trees and bushes. Everything was so green!

  • The restrooms were really clean. Site#99 was a little far from the showers, but we had nice toilets right by us.

  • VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS! My gosh. We stated at Agate Campground (1 of 3 campgrounds at this park) and it was really close to the beach access. We did the Rim Trail hike and it was unbelievable.

  [CONS]

  • NONE! Perfect campground:)

  Overall, I would come back here in a heartbeat! I know we came during off season so the campground wasn’t as full, but i’d imagine when this place is fully booked it would still be very tranquil and peaceful. Each site was like a little oasis removed from everyone else.

  Read More