Cabins near Castella, California sit at elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 feet in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, while summer daytime highs reach 85-95°F. Most cabin facilities close water systems during winter months due to freezing conditions.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling on Lake Siskiyou: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers access to clear waters with mountain views. "We rented kayaks one day and the next we rented a pontoon boat and our friends joined us. We found a rope swing hanging on a tree and tied up and did some rope swing fun into the lake," shares one visitor.
Swimming holes on McCloud River: Access natural pools within walking distance of Cattle Camp Campground. "Trail to a gorgeous swimming hole. Water is very cold though. Rope swing. Lots of kids at swimming hole! No hookups. Very close to McCloud Falls. Great hiking. Epic views," reports a camper.
Train-themed exploration: Jubilee Railroad Wilderness Lodge & Campground features historic railroad equipment. "The train cars are close by to visit via trail. It was quiet and very clean," notes one reviewer. The property includes both lodging and camping options with train cars that can be explored.
Fishing spots: Trinity Lake KOA Holiday provides lake access for anglers. "Great place to use as base camp to hit nearby rivers, ponds, trailheads, or even the lake. 20 minutes away from the main marina on the south side of the lake where you can rent a boat for the day too," mentions a visitor.
What campers like
Private forest settings: Many cabins offer secluded woodland environments. At Girard Ridge Lookout, visitors appreciate the isolation. "This was our first fire lookout, but will not be our last! The drive up to the lookout was tough at times along well-used, but not really well maintained, logging roads," explains one camper.
Natural air conditioning: The cooler air near waterfalls provides relief during hot months. "If you walk down to the bottom of the falls it's like a natural air conditioner," notes a visitor at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground.
Seasonal cabin availability: Trinity Lake KOA Holiday offers summer cabin rentals. "Lots of trees and shade. Some RV sites are larger than others and lots of seasonal sites. Close to lake and they have a dock. Beach is seasonal but can drive out on the mud, just don't get stuck," reports a regular visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Forest cabins provide opportunities to see animals. "Along the drive up we did see a bear along the side of the road, but other than a few deer and lots of birds and squirrels, not much other wildlife," notes a Girard Ridge visitor.
What you should know
Variable cooking facilities: Plan meals based on available equipment. At Girard Ridge Lookout, there are significant limitations: "The lookout is great and has two twin or double beds, a table, and a couple of cabinets for storing items. There are no kitchen facilities at this lookout."
Bring sleeping comfort items: Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday cabins provide basic sleeping surfaces. "I'm in a basic cabin. It's basic. No ac just a ceiling fan. Nice small queen bed with linens," shares one visitor.
Site security considerations: At more remote locations, take precautions. "Although you do feel like you are way off the beaten path when you are there, do put your gear away each night and day and lock the door to the lookout and your car as day hikers do come up to the lookout," advises a Girard Ridge Lookout visitor.
Reservation timing: Lakehead Campground & RV Park cabins fill quickly. "Beautiful campground is very spacious with lots of trees for shade which was great since we went when it was extremely hot. The owner was very nice and got us situated right away," reports a summer visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly beach access: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers sandy shorelines with shallow entry. "We took 2 small children in a rented camper and went to this lake on a recommendation from friends in Mt. Shasta... short walk with our water toys to the nice sandy beach and lake," shares a family camper.
Family cabin options: Cabins accommodate different group sizes. "The tent sites looked great with plenty of space for you to set up. Several people even brought small trailers like RPods into the tent area and just didn't use hookups," notes a Trinity Lake KOA visitor.
Activities for various ages: Cedar Pines Resort RV Park provides diverse recreation options. "This place convinced us to extend our trip a week as we did not want to go home. Welcoming on-site couple gave us the low down on some nearby fishing and foraging spots," reports a family who extended their stay.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for animal encounters. "Have seen deer and bears here," reports a Lake Siskiyou camper. "Beware of the chipmunks they will eat the food right off your plate if left unattended too long," warns another visitor at Cattle Camp.
Tips from RVers
Access route planning: Lakehead Campground & RV Park requires careful navigation. "I really liked this rustic little campground. The owner was nice and the grounds were simple and naturally pretty," notes a reviewer who appreciated the quieter setting.
Site selection strategy: Trinity Lake KOA Holiday offers specific advantages based on site location. "I highly recommend getting a spot near the tents and exit to the river road if you are towing a trailer. We were on the end of Raccoon Rd and it was fantastic."
Utility connections: Jubilee Railroad Wilderness Lodge provides full hookup options. "Easy access to the highway without the noise. There is a dining railcar restaurant, camp host is great. We came in on a Thursday no reservation and had no problem snagging a roomy spot for our 30' towing a Jeep," shares an RV camper.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects RV camping comfort. "Despite being an incredibly busy campground, we had quite a peaceful experience here. Our site had a good amount of space, and although there were a lot of campers around us, we didn't feel overly cramped," reports a Lake Siskiyou visitor.
