Looking for the best Chico dispersed camping? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Chico, including photos, reviews, and tips. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
1 dispersed site at trail head with fire pit and table only. At Stag Point 5 dispersed units. First come first serve. Pit toilet, fire rings, no water, no garbage services Pack in/Out.
Guide
The place itself has delicious food. It is also a little grocery store. The “dog area” is something they squeezed into the side of the lot. Not fenced in but there were dog poop bags when we stopped.
Guide
No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully.
ScoutJust off the main highway. Gravel road in. We had a Ford van that had no problem driving over the dirt and gravel road. There are sites with fire rings and relatively flat ground. Great location for dispersed camping just minutes from the southern lassen entrance.
Traveler
This is a small flat area near the base of Christie Hill. The turn off of the Hwy 89 is at the McGowan SnoPark area (really just a logger's staging area). There are a handful of very rough roads one could pull off the road and camp in a tent on (or 4x4 van). For a larger RV or travel trailer, we found only one spot (40.390996,-121.540748) that was large enough to accommodate our 32 foot travel trailer. It is right along the road, but there is virtually no traffic here, so we found it acceptable.
I do not believe there are any good spots further down the road. A word of caution as well - the lake just beyond here (McGowan Lake) - is privately owned and gated. It is not available for camping.
Scout
Pitched 2 tents on asphalt. 3 other cars here. Picnic tables and an outhouse. Saw/heard great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning.
LegendLovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area. Most camp spots are right on the edge of the road but lots of room and plenty of privacy. Leave no trace. Pack in, pack out.
LegendIt is a parking lot behind the Olive Pit. Lots of traffic noise. Okay if you want a free spot to sleep for the night.
ScoutI was so grateful for the mature shade trees that offered a respite from the hot sun. It's a very quiet spot, so keep it that way. Some riffraff staggle through but they're harmless.
GuideNot much to say similar to rest stop. Spent evening in their parking lot that does say no parking unless your a customer. I went in and purchase couple jars of olives to take to Slab City with me as trading stock now I’m a customer (happy face). No one messed with me and it was decently quiet. Only two other rvs. Super small dog potty area too but it’s their yay.
GuideSpent the evening in the RV/Truck area after stocking up on some Olive stuffed garlic and artichokes. Mmmm. Was quiet besides the obvious freeway intersection area near by but NOT complaining. Easy boon-docking. Small pet area. Well lit if you park under a light. Safeway,Burger King, Taco Bell, Auto parts store lots more in little area around The Olive Pit. Basically park and walk to get shopping done. Boom. Hope this helps a little.
LegendPROS:
+ FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.
+ Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening! Signs say for Olive Pit Customers Only but we spent 2 nights here (along with a few other campers) and no one ever disturbed us.
+ Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs).
+ Huge lot with lots of available spots. Around 10 spots for larger trailers and RVs, and lots of small spots for campervans and car rooftop tent campers. We saw 4-5 other campers around us who mostly were very private and to themselves
+ 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 where you can conveniently pick up food/beer/supplies.
+ The Olive Pit has a great cafe and wine tasting room. They sell specialty items such as olives, balsamic vinegar, etc. And they have a great breakfast!
+ There is a giant dumpster for trash disposal behind the Olive Pit
+ There is also a pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves.
+ Lots of palm trees in the backdrop giving the place a very California vibe.
CONS:
+ No tent camping, unless it's a car rooftop tent or a pop-up tent trailer
+ No fires/no showers/ no toilets (Although you can walk to the Shell Station to use their toilets which were super clean and well-maintained.)
+ Loud 24 hour carwash at the Shell station. Usually quiets down around 9 pm
+ Bright security lights in the parking lot. Just don't park directly under one. There are a few darker and less lit spots
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Chico, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Chico, CA is Olive Pit Dispersed Lot with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Chico, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
