Best Tent Camping near Chico, CA

Tent camping options near Chico, California include established campgrounds in the surrounding national forests and state recreation areas. Black Rock Campground in Lassen National Forest offers tent sites with basic amenities, while Christie Hill Basecamp provides dispersed camping opportunities just minutes from Lassen National Park's southern entrance. Several tent-friendly sites can also be found at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, including boat-in and hike-in locations.

Most tent campsites in the region have limited facilities. Black Rock Campground provides pit toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. The road to Black Rock can be challenging, with one review noting, "The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance." Christie Hill Basecamp features dispersed camping with fire rings and relatively flat ground but lacks water sources and outhouses. Tent campers should be prepared for primitive conditions, especially at dispersed sites where bear-resistant food storage may be necessary.

Tent-only areas throughout the region offer varying levels of solitude and natural features. Sites at Black Rock Campground are nicely shaded to help reduce daytime heat, with nearby fishing opportunities a short walk from the campsites. A recent review noted, "This campground made for a great overnight getaway trip. The mosquitoes were out in full force so bug spray is a must." Christie Hill Basecamp provides quiet camping with decent cell signal and morning birdwatching opportunities. Many tent sites throughout the area feature fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply. Walk-in tent locations at Lake Oroville provide more seclusion than drive-in sites, though mosquitoes can be abundant near water sources. Tent campers frequently encounter wildlife including deer, quail, and evidence of bears, particularly at the more remote backcountry sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Chico, California (30)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Chico, CA

286 Reviews of 30 Chico Campgrounds


  • Jim S.
    Jul. 5, 2019

    Plumas National Forest Snake Lake Campground

    Rustic clean free

    Forest Service campground in Plumas NF I’ve stayed at several times when exploring the area. About 9 miles from Quincy and 2-3 off highway. Free. Fire rings (need annual campfire permit, free at park offices) and bear boxes. Outhouses. No water apart from lake (generally overgrown). Large clear sites with plenty of space between them. Forested area, dirt roads. Equestrian sites available.

  • Susan R.
    Jun. 9, 2021

    Buckhorn Recreation Area

    Great Spot, very windy

    Wonderful spot. Sites were kinda small, but we we able to fit 2. -6 person tents and a 4 person in a row. Wasn’t windy when we got there in the morning, but that night the wind started and almost blew everything away. STAKE down, no matter the weather. Water was super warm, but gets icky in the summer, so definitely need to go early in the season.

  • Kaye S.
    May. 24, 2022

    Black Rock Campground (Lassen NF)

    Please practice LNT

    The first morning we were there my dog found and ate some weed that someone had carelessly and irresponsibility discarded on the ground and she became extremely ill and had to be rushed to the emergency vet for treatment. Practicing leave no trace is so important for the safety of all animals and the preservation of our wild lands.

    The road in took about an hour and a half and I would not recommend attempting it without 4WD and high clearance. There is one stream crossing but it is minor.

  • Gina C.
    Jul. 26, 2019

    Lake Francis Resort

    Fun cabin rental

    Some of my family has camped here in the past at one of the tent sites. We decided this time around to reserve one of their cabins. We stayed at the Diamond P cabin which has the best view of the lake within this group of cabins. You can walk to the lake (it’s about 100 yards) from this location. Though it does fill up fast (by 11am it was pretty full). They have a large portable toilet there for use. We spent our time at the pool which is near the flushable toilets and the ice cream parlor, restaurant, and camp store. The pool goes from 3.5’ ft to 5’ back to 3.5’ ft.

    The cabin was great. Two bedrooms, each with twin bunk beds and a full bottom bunk and twin above. Small bathroom with shower, mini fridge, hot plates, microwave, and dishes. Dining table and futon in the living area. Nice wide front porch to sit on and enjoy the view, communal tables and bbq for all the cabins. This unit also had a swamp cooler to help manage the heat.

    Check in is 4pm and check out is 11am. There is also a small game room with a pool table, a baseball field, paddle boats, and kayaks to rent.

    The down side is how quickly the easiest access to the lake fills up. Everyone has to drive over from the tent RV site to access the water. There are other places you can drive and park to get to the water, but there it a drop off into the water from there vs a gradual walk in.

  • N
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Carlton

    Meh

    We left 1 day into our 4 day stay. The scenery, beautiful. The river, stunning. The campsite, tiny and awkwardly set up (Site12 specifically), good shade though. Prior occupants left a bunch of trash (as in an entire tent.....) in the bear box that we had to dispose of. Clean enough bathrooms. No firewood on site (which we were sdvised there would be) at the camp host site, don't think we had one, if we did they're hard of hearing. Drove up the road to a different campsite per the info board and got wood there **CASH ONLY**

    Awful site neighbors, incredibly loud, watching reality TV shows at top volume, even waking me up at 0400 talking full volume 10 feet from our tent. Another neighbor with a generator on until almost 11pm. 

    *****ROAD NOISE. So. Much. Road. Noise. There was next to zero peaceful outdoor serenity. Not only the noise from the road, but the headlights hit our tent all night as well. 

    Won't be back, sad to end the week early, but no way were we able to stay with all of that going on. Was supposed to be a peaceful, quiet, relaxing week away from the sounds of a loud city......all we did was add a few trees 🤷‍♀️

  • Bonnie M.
    Feb. 11, 2020

    Collins Lake Recreation Area

    Beautiful shoreline camping

    Open camping options make this a great spur of the moment option. We camped along the lake shore. They also have lots of great spots higher up, among the trees that come with picnic tables, firepits and water available. Portable toilets, so if your neighbors are clean, you're safe. Great little store with coffee and ice cream. Great place for boating and kayaking too.

  • Renee A.
    Jun. 27, 2023

    Lower Bucks Campground

    Loved it

    The campsite rental process is ridiculous. There are no online reservations and a total of 7 sites. You MUST occupy the site. No pre-pay will be applied nor pre-registration.

    There are no restrooms at the sites. You may drive to a bathroom.

    Now, surpass those issues, and the bears and rattlesnakes and hoards of meat bees, lol, and this was the most beautiful site I've ever stayed in.

    We slept on a hill overlooking the water. We heard bears fishing and roaring just feet from us. Coyotes visited, raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks and we got to see giant centipedes, wild wolf spiders and several different types of bees. I saw the biggest spider I've ever seen in my sleeping bag.

    I caught several 8 to 12 inch trout. We kayaked, and we had a wonderful time.

    At night, we enjoyed the noises of wild animals all around. It was fascinating and thrilling, both.

    This is definitely a swimming friendly and kayaking-friendly vacation place.

  • Les S.
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Live Oak Riverfront Park

    Beautiful river side park

    I tent camped and loved it. Very quiet and beautiful scenery. A water faucet and picnic table at every campsite .

  • C
    Jul. 9, 2018

    Stony Gorge Reservoir - USBR

    Awesome free campsite!

    This campground is free!!! It has lots of vault toilets and trash cans, but there is no running water. There are some campsites that are private and some where you can bring a big group. There are fire pits with grills and picnic tables at all the sites. The lake is amazing for swimming!


Guide to Chico

Tent camping near Chico, California offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With options ranging from well-equipped parks to more rustic settings, there's something for everyone.

Explore Local Activities

Discover Local Attractions

  • Visit the scenic Feather River Canyon Recreation Area, a great spot for tent camping, where you can enjoy the stunning views and natural beauty of the region.
  • Experience the charm of Rogers Cow Camp, located in Plumas National Forest, which provides a rustic camping experience surrounded by towering trees and wildlife.
  • Philbrook Campground is another excellent choice, offering a serene environment perfect for unwinding and enjoying the great outdoors.

Tent Camping Prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Chico, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Chico, CA is Black Rock Campground (Lassen NF) with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Chico, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Chico, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.