Best Dispersed Camping near Castella, CA

Castella, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Castella, CA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Castella, California (17)

    1. Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    9 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    9 miles

    "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."

    2. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Dunsmuir, CA
    8 miles

    "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."

    3. Mt. Shasta Area

    2 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    7 miles

    "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!"

    "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 !!"

    4. red fir campground

    2 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    15 miles

    "Just 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."

    "Pull in and park / camp… flat space to park or set up a tent. No services but they have outhouses about a mile up the road. No reservations or assigned spots. Quiet and comfortable. I will be back."

    5. Sand Flat Wild Camping

    3 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    15 miles

    "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."

    6. bunny flat dispersed

    1 Review
    Mount Shasta, CA
    15 miles

    "Close to mt Shasta. Lots of other people here. Road is rough, don't recommend a super low clearance vechile"

    7. North Trinity Lake

    4 Reviews
    Trinity Center, CA
    21 miles

    "This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."

    "The coordinates were off though and it took us up to a private residence road so I would not follow that."

    8. Upper Sand Flat

    1 Review
    Mount Shasta, CA
    15 miles
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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Castella, CA

33 Reviews of 17 Castella Campgrounds


  • Victoria B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Serene Escape

    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.

  • Grace A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Close to the lake. Beware of bugs

    Overall 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!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Perfect campsite!

    Great campsite! Will be bumpy for a regular sedan but we did see a Prius roll by. There a 3-5 sites along the road and very spread apart. We did not hear any other campers even though there were at least 2 nearby. Google will try to get you to the coordinates but doesn’t know about the existence of the final dirt road to get you there. So it gets you to a point and then expects you to walk across a small ravine. But as the other reviewers stated, keep going on the road keeping in mind that you are trying to get to exact coordinates listed which are accurate. See one of my pics. Google has you stop at the red X, but keep going along the blue path drawn.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2021

    Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    At Least It’s Free

    We 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.

  • Regina L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Beautiful Forest

    It was my husband and I's first time trying dispersed camping, and this was beautiful. We really enjoyed the location. It was one way in 1 way out. So we felt safe. The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs, but I believe that is due to the time of year. Would definitely stay here again. Few small spots at beginning of dirt road and then a few larger further down. Surrounded by dense forest.

  • George B.
    Jun. 19, 2018

    Mt. Shasta Area

    A mountain that soars above

    Mt. 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!

  • Ryan Z.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    North Trinity Lake

    Not accessible

    The 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2020

    North Trinity Lake

    Gorgeous Lakeside Camping

    This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities.

  • Mckenna S.
    Jun. 9, 2023

    North Trinity Lake

    Beautiful spot!

    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.


Guide to Castella

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Castella, California, where nature's tranquility meets adventure. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Enjoy breathtaking vistas at North Trinity Lake, where you can find wide-open spaces and stunning views both day and night.
  • The Mt. Shasta Area offers picturesque landscapes that are perfect for photography and relaxation, with plenty of room to set up camp.
  • Experience the serene beauty of Castle Lake Campground, where you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Castella, California

  • When heading to Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, be prepared for a dirt road that leads to several small camping spots, ideal for vans or small trailers.
  • At Sand Flat Wild Camping, ensure your vehicle can handle rocky terrain, as access can be challenging during certain seasons.
  • Always pack in and pack out your supplies at Gumboot Campground, as there are no amenities available, making it essential to leave no trace.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Castella

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails around Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, which provide access to stunning views and diverse terrain.
  • Fishing and boating opportunities abound at Upper Sand Flat, making it a great spot for water sports lovers.
  • Explore the natural beauty of Mount Shasta Dispersed, where you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking to wildlife watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Castella, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Castella, CA is Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Castella, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Castella, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.