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.
"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."
"We're new to the van life, having lived mostly overseas, and are not RV-oriented, so we've been a little careful about choosing sites with adequate peacefulness, space and privacy."
"The covered camping and the cabin style rooms are both fantastic - clean area , and very friendly staff"
"The drive down from McCloud lake is along a dirt forestry road. It’s steep and rocky, lots of loose debris and some hairy areas that require higher clearance."
"Toad Lake is a pristine mountain lake accessible only via a long, rough, and rocky single lane dirt road (Toad Lake Road 40N64)."
$110 / night
"You can see for miles Mt Shasta and Shasta Lake is the distance."
"Shasta is a long and dull 4.5-5 hour drive."
"It’s quiet and if it just rained there is the sound of waterfalls around there. If the spots are filled up, there is another flat area to camp without a table."
TravelerAs of May 2019, the camp was closed to the public due to safety hazards. Otherwise, it's an ok site. Bear boxes, composting toilet, trash bins, picnic table, and a fire ring. There's a trail that leads down to the creek.
ScoutThis site has only 4 camping sites, all for tents only. There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to. We were camping in mid-October and the only ones here. There’s a fire ban in place so we couldn’t have a fire, but there’s a nice size fire ring for anytime the ban is lifted. Picnic tables and lantern hooks, along with bear lockers make it safe and cozy. We loved camping here with our two pups.
GuideVery 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.
GuideThe 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.
TravelerWe 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!
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.
GuideNice well shaded campground, some sites enjoy lake views although Trinity Lake is very low at this point. Site 67 is a nice size, lots of space between adjacent sites. Two tent flats, table and fire ring. Some sites have bear boxes, 67 does not. Close but not too close to the bathroom. Camp host was friendly. Easy walk/ drive to the lake. I would check site map and reviews if possible, some sites looked very small and unappealing while others were very spacious.(67) No firewood for sale on site. Overall campground was nice and site 67 in particular was very good. 3.5 Stars.
ScoutMy friends and I stopped here for a night before we go camping in the backcountry and it was great! Has a little fire pit, bear box and nice flat spots to put your tent.
Guidesite: no privacy. shaded. bear box at site. amenities: not many bathrooms. no showers at campground. attractions: near to the main attractions in the park. If I was okay with first come, first served I might camp here. (others told us a person has to arrive VERY early to get a spot- like 5am/6am)
Tent camping near Castella, California, offers a blend of scenic beauty and outdoor adventure, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Castella, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Castella, CA is Castle Lake Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Castella, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Castella, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
