Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Callahan? We've got you covered. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Recreation on the unit centers on the two designated wilderness areas of Mount Shastaand Castle Crags. Dominating the landscape for several hundred miles in all directions, Mount Shasta looms 14,162 feet, a beautiful snow-cloaked massif, second only to Mount Rainier in height among the famous Cascade Range volcanoes. No trails lead up Mount Shasta, but trails provide access to the Wilderness and the foot of the mountain. The Wilderness shares its southern border with Castle Crags State Park. You'll find 27.8 miles of maintained trails starting from nine trailheads. The Pacific Crest Trail rambles for 19 miles through the area. Most of the National Forest lands on the Mt. Shasta district are open for dispersed camping. Remember, most dispersed sites will be affected by campfire restrictions starting sometime in July. When restrictions are in effect, you may still operate a gas stove and/or a gas-only barbeque with a valid campfire permit. Wood fires and charcoal barbeques are strictly prohibited. Please use proper sanitation methods for human waste, pack out all of your garbage, and leave no trace of your stay. Current list of Road Closures, Campground & Trail information.
Please check for fire restrictions before you go: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5392380. Campfire permits are required to have a campfire or stove at a dispersed site. Campfire permits are available online at www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/
Camping is not limited to developed camping. Almost all of the forest is open to those who prefer the quiet solitude of a completely undeveloped setting.
Generally, dispersed camping is allowed outside of developed sites within the forest unless otherwise posted. One exception to this is Lewiston Lake. Camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of the high water mark with no exceptions. Other exceptions are the Mt. Shasta plantations area and McCloud River Loop.
Please call ahead to offices for current fire restriction and road information. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not available. Be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify natural water sources before drinking. Camp at least 200 feet from springs, water, meadows, trails and roads. Camp at least a quarter-mile from designated campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, private property and state highways. If you brought it in with you, then remember to take it out when you leave (Pack It In/Pack It Out).
More details here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd771279.pdf
Guide
You’ll have to enter a dirt road to get down to this spot. There will be several sites, but small ones all along that dirt road. This site specifically is good for when camping with a Van or small trailer.
Traveler
Road dips down but rutted and I'm low clearance so can't tell what's down there. I'm in amthe o ly pullout off the side of the road before it Dios. Awesome view. Cannot hear water the other person mentioned but also haven't walked down the road yet. 3 or 4 rigs down close by. I am in a level spot but nowhere to walk except road from here. Again, great view.
Guide
The first spot you come across is super cute with little stone sculptures in the creek and a little shelter with carpet...and then you realize it's most likely a locals party zone and homeless camp. There was a trash pile, bags of potato chips...and potatoes.
The next spot was cleaner and near the water, but the circular "driveway" was tight and had very little space. This is where we stayed.
The rest of the spots weren't near water and were just open fields directly in the sun.
Ranger
This secluded camp is well worth the effort to find. I've been 3 times and finally decided to add it to The Dyrt. Upon this return, I tried to find it online (Six Rivers's official site) but found no info. There are two ways to this camp, the longer from Willow Creek, or the shorter from Hawkins Bar. Both ways are via forest service roads that are "fair". There are 3 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There is one vault toilet that was stocked with 'the papers'. There is NO trash service or cans and NO POTABLE WATER. There is a tiny creek running nearby if needed. There is MAYBE one (1) bar of Verizon service, but it is extremely unreliable. I came here to see the Perseids Meteor Shower, on a Sunday night/Monday, and did not see a soul.
Guide
The road was rough at first but smoothed out enough that we weren't worried in our van. There are only a few pullouts here, and no one else was around.
TravelerBecause of poor reception unable to find. Definitely way out there
ScoutMy husband and I loved this place. It was a little bumpy ride but well worth it. It was super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed. There was an awesome creek right next to us. FYI there was no phone service at all until you get by the school.
Traveler
This was a perfect spot for a quick one night stay as we were passing through. The coordinates were off though and it took us up to a private residence road so I would not follow that. There’s multiple side dirt roads leading down to the lake from the main road so I would just look for those. Beautiful views at night and in the morning! It was wide open with no other campers in site.
GuideAs of May 31st there isn’t access to some areas as there is snow blocking the way, some areas are wet from the snow that has already melted. The toilets up at Castle Lake are still covered in snow and inaccessible. Pack in pack out. Other than that nice peaceful area, you can hear the river running, and has a nice view of Mount Shasta.
RangerThis site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there. Lots of space, there will certainly be a place for you when you pull in. Only one or two other campers were there when we stayed. Nice place
LegendThis is a good gravel road not far from main road. Lots of spaces along road. Not busy at all. No amenities of any kind.
ScoutThe coordinates and GPS lead to a random part of the highway surrounded by hills. Not real or inaccessible in vehicle, lake may be dried up.
Traveler
LegendWe thought this might be a nice place to stay the night or even longer, but next time if we need a place to sleep we’ll just find one of the turnouts off of Hwy 299. I could see this being a good place for people who live locally to come and hang out in nature by the creek for a few days, but this isn’t a place I’d recommend as a destination. There is so much dead brush and cut trees all over the place here, possibly from cleanup after a fire? Would recommend larger rigs avoid this area due to the number of low hanging tree branches.
Also, this is a popular shooting area because we saw a ton of ammunition casings as well as broken glass and clay pigeons and other items used for target practice. Oh, and we heard a bunch of gunshots in the middle of the night.
Once you enter the BLM land area, you will cross a narrow one lane bridge. From there you can go left, through a narrow and brush and low-hanging-tree-limbed gravel road (larger rigs beware) to a small clearing at the end which is large enough for a group, but too small for more than one party to feel comfortable there.
If you turn right from the bridge you have a long road for a few miles along the creek. This road is at times narrow and bumpy with low hanging limbs, and at times wide and smooth and easy to drive. Along this road are several unmarked, undeveloped, and completely unmaintained clearings where you can camp. There are no fire pits or any other indication that it’s a camp site (which is a good thing because per the info board fires aren't allowed). We did pass one trailer that appears to be residing here permanently.
The public road eventually dead ends about 2 miles in and turns into private property, at which point there’s a large-ish space where you can turn around.
Zero cell service, though the WeBoost gave the Verizon phone a couple of weak bars. The T-Mobile hotspot and the ATT cell phone were not improved by the WeBoost.
TravelerThis is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities.
Guide
Shasta is breathtaking pictures can’t do it justice A place to experience lakes streams hiking camping boating snow sports water sports the great outdoors !!
GuideMt. Shasta is a place that’s beautiful from every angle. If you’re on the road or on the mountain all it does is takes your breath away.
Stay where it’s more comfortable for you but at least go and stay and see this beauty!
Winter time really is its best time but beware and plan ahead, a lot of the camp sites are closed in that time of year!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Callahan, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Callahan, CA is North Trinity Lake with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Callahan, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
