Dispersed camping near Chico, California offers sites ranging from forest-based primitive camping to convenient parking lot options. Located in the northeastern Sacramento Valley, this region sits at the convergence of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges, with elevations ranging from 200 feet in the valley to over 6,000 feet in the nearby forests. Summer temperatures frequently reach above 100°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing in higher elevation camping areas.
What to do
Riverside relaxation: Perry Riffle Trailhead provides access to the Sacramento River for cooling off during hot summer days. One camper noted, "Sacramento River is within walking distance. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails."
Hiking trails: Multiple dispersed sites offer access to forest hiking opportunities. At Perry Riffle Trailhead, "Several horse and hiking trails start from here," according to a reviewer who found the location "quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Perry Riffle reported, "Saw/heard great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning."
Base camp for Lassen: Christie Hill Basecamp serves as an excellent starting point for exploring Lassen National Park. A camper mentioned, "Great location for dispersed camping just minutes from the southern Lassen entrance."
What campers like
Free overnight options: The Olive Pit Dispersed Lot in Corning provides no-cost overnight parking. According to one camper, "FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles. Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening!"
Convenience to amenities: Some dispersed sites offer proximity to supplies and services. At Olive Pit Dispersed Lot, campers appreciate the "Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket. The lot shares the same entrance as the Shell Station and Olive Pit Cafe & Store."
Cell service availability: Several sites maintain decent connectivity. One camper at 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP mentioned the area is "Lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot" while another at Christie Hill Basecamp noted, "I also have full reception with Verizon."
Shade during hot months: Tree cover provides relief from intense summer heat. One visitor to the Olive Pit mentioned being "so grateful for the mature shade trees that offered a respite from the hot sun."
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest service roads leading to dispersed sites vary in quality. At Christie Hill Basecamp, "If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully."
Fire regulations: Campfire permits are required for most forest dispersed camping. Fires are prohibited at some locations, like Perry Riffle Trailhead where one camper noted, "No fires, ever."
Site limitations: Some areas have undergone changes affecting campsite availability. At Fischer Dispersed Campground, terrain can be challenging, while at Christie Hill Basecamp, "There appears to be logging or construction going on, as a previous review stated most of the pull ins are just areas that the bulldozer is pushed everything back."
Length restrictions: At 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP, one camper observed, "For a larger RV or travel trailer, we found only one spot that was large enough to accommodate our 32 foot travel trailer."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom access: Choose sites with at least basic facilities for easier family camping. Perry Riffle Trailhead provides "a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling," making it more family-friendly than completely undeveloped sites.
Noise considerations: Some sites experience traffic noise that might disturb light sleepers. At Perry Riffle Trailhead, "turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road."
Pet areas: When traveling with pets, Morgan Summit Sno-Park offers winter recreation opportunities, while Olive Pit Dispersed Lot has "a small pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves."
Heat management: Summer temperatures can be extreme. One camper at Perry Riffle noted, "It was roasting in August; the river was a nice way to cool off."
Tips from RVers
Level parking: For comfortable RV camping, seek out level surfaces. One camper at Olive Pit Dispersed Lot found "Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs)."
Generator use: Most dispersed sites have no restrictions on generators, but be mindful of other campers. At Christie Hill Basecamp, the isolation means "I've been here for hours and haven't seen or heard anyone."
Overnight convenience: For quick stays while traveling through, the Olive Pit provides an ideal stopover. One reviewer called it a "Great Overnight Spot" and mentioned, "Just a small parking lot with 8 or 9 pull through sites in the middle of a small downtown commercial area."
Supply planning: No water or dump stations are available at these dispersed sites, so arrive prepared. One camper at Christie Hill Basecamp simply stated, "No water or outhouse."
