Searching for the best camping near Cedarville, CA? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Cedarville. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$15 / night
"No hookups but there’s water around the campsites and picnic tables and fire pits. Excellent little campground with maybe a dozen or so sites. Clean & well maintained."
"Other than the snow the road was in good condition and easy to drive in our class c."
"Stream & Obsidian Mine nearby."
"Lots to do nearby mostly obsidian collection and fishing. Make sure if you are wanting to collect you get a free permit in town before heading out."
"One person was here to walk her dogs for a bit but otherwise we had the whole place to ourselves."
"Inexpensive free shower and had access to do laundry. Worked well for our camper van.
Close to the wild refuge. Walked the 3 mile loop before heading out of town."
"Not only is the Falls beautiful but the trek up to Clear Lake is breathtaking! Serene and tranquil. Worth the hike for those wanting to get in touch with Nature! Highly Recommend!"
$60 / night
"Camp Freedom has a prime location for those who enjoy the outdoors, check out the list of nearby activities to do during your stay! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"
$20 - $42 / night
"The park was easy to find, but a slow drive from the turn off in Likely due to the road being a little rough."
$70 / night
"Located above the lake within easy walking distance. Very well cared for with camp hosts present and ready to enforce rules."
"It is a nice campground on a beautiful lake. There is a trail that circumnavigates the entire shoreline and is some of the best birding on the Modoc National Forest."
"This is plenty even when you take into consideration the vast number of hiking trails and off circuit lakes to explore. It’s a beautiful corner of California and highly underrated."
RangerConfused? This lake must be seasonal because we could not find it while traveling around this campsite. There is a small marshy area and grass as if the lake is there at other times of the year. The campsites have very little privacy, but there are bathrooms, amenities, nice day-use area, pet exercise area, etc. This park is on the border of California near Lakeview… so while I did not necessary think it was worth the drive to go see this campground, the nearby town is a great little American escape for groceries, a great little Saturday Farmers Market, a nice cup of coffee, or just to explore.
TravelerRoad side area, gravel surface. Step entry off road. Creek side good for stop over. State land.
GuidePros: Totally isolated (during the week). Stunning views of surrounding mountains and forest with a crystal clear lake (Cave Lake) for swimming and fishing. Sites equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. Pit toilets. Camped directly next to lake. Stargazing was absolutely breathtaking. One of our very favorite sites just over the Oregon-California border.
Cons: No water. Difficult climb/drive without good tires or 4WD (very steep, high grade road that is mostly dirt and large rocks).
Tips: 4WD/AWD is a must. And drive slowly (see above). We popped a tire in our SUV on the way up, but totally worth it.
RangerCamped here in June 2020 and got the single prime spot across the little pond with its own pit toilet. Snowed when we were there in June. No hookups but there’s water around the campsites and picnic tables and fire pits. Excellent little campground with maybe a dozen or so sites. Clean & well maintained. Beautiful Warner Mountains all around.
If you keep going up the forest road there are dispersed camping spots at higher elevation with great views but roads only suitable for small rigs. There’s both a BLM and USFS office in nearby Cedarville for info plus hot springs in Surprise Valley and lots of good rockhounding in nearby Warner mountains on the west side towards Lakeview. Would camp here again.
TravelerIts ideal if you’re coming from California and headed to Oregon. A couple hours away from Crater Lake.
LegendHowards Gulch Campground • Modoc National Forest • $12
Northern California • Basin & Range Birding Trail 15 Northeastern location
Just past a hundred miles of farmfield coming from the North we enter the Modoc National Forest, and turn left against our GPS’ wishes into Howard’s Gulch Campground (Forest Service). Pay attention to the signs. It's analog but it's right. It’s a small, primitive camp in Northern California with 12 sites. Two which are walk in only and none which are for large RV’s. The fee is $12 which is significantly more than the next campground down the road which is free, but the consistency of the Forest Service sites makes it worth it.
The trees are tall and red, and according to a conveniently placed sign, coniferous. There are also signs indicating common birds of the area and their habitats, along with a 1.5 mile trail built by the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and the California Department of Corrections. The trail has been dedicated “for your hiking pleasure…” This campground is also part of the Basin & Range Birding Trail system of Northern California and Southern Oregon.
Like all forest service campgrounds there is a fire pit and a picnic table in each site. Most of the sites are spaced relatively privately, but since you’re in the middle of nowhere you’ll probably be sharing the camp with one, maybe two other campers. In addition, some sites have a stand alone charcoal grilling set-ups.
Trails like this one lead right from camp. Bring your binoculars.
There are plenty of water taps. At least five, but since it isn’t potable there isn’t really much benefit. Since the water is being “treated with chemicals” I wouldn’t even recommend boiling it for use leaving it for the dousing of fires, but the camp is under no-burn restrictions. Rightfully so, considering the summer California has had so far.
Toilets are standard vaults, but there are three of them for 12 sites. Two of which are recent new builds. Being low in the gulch you’re surrounded by walls on three sides to the outer side of the camp loop. The inner loop still backs up to a cliff wall for an unusually located tall mound...and OHMYGOD MY WIFE JUST CHOPPED HER THUMB! SHIT! SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!
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The reason to camp here is…you’re on your way somewhere else most likely. Coming from Oregon to Yosemite or Tahoe or vice versa. But if you do you won’t be disappointed and if you like birds you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The nearest town is at least 20+ miles if you need anything so come prepared. My Wife's thumb is fine by the way. Despite a serious scare at the time. She field dressed it like a boss using our first aid kit (which we've since upgraded). She'll have a reminder scar, but her badass level went up like a million points. I give Howard’s Gulch 3 Tent Stakes of Awesomeness for being a solid campground with nice sites and trails leaving right from camp but not much else going on. Also, there is no indication of who Howard is. I certainly didn't meet him.
Pro-Tip #1: Prepare for summer heat. You aren’t at elevation here.
Pro-Tip #2: Bring binoculars.
Pro-Tip #3: Bring water and anything else you might need. No place near by to get anything.
LegendThis was a very open campground, very little privacy allotted for each site. There were some tree cover and grass. The lake was not very swimmable as it was dry, so we went to a nearby creek and enjoyed that.
It was pretty awesome to be on the state lines of Oregon and California, able to be two places at once. The town of New Pine Creek spans both states and has lots of fun places to visit and see.
ScoutWe stayed for a week and enjoyed very minute!
The camp host is incredibly nice, the walking trails are beautiful, and you can't beat the view.
The sites are large with plenty of shade and you can hear the cows. The bathrooms are clean with warm showers that work well.
There is a dog run, horseshoes, and a volleyball set up. You can't have a campfire, but they do have a fire pit near the laundry room plus propane grills for guests.
It's a little pricey, but worth it.
GuideNeeded a place while heading north. Easy to find. Inexpensive free shower and had access to do laundry. Worked well for our camper van.
Close to the wild refuge. Walked the 3 mile loop before heading out of town. Super close
Casino is also within a few miles. Penny slots
Cedarville, California, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options that allow you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cedarville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cedarville, CA is Stough Reservoir Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 40 dog-friendly camping locations near Cedarville, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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