15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several dispersed camping options exist near Cottonwood, California, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Free camping sites include Perry Riffle Trailhead, Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed, and the Olive Pit Dispersed Lot. These areas range from riverside locations to parking areas with minimal facilities. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Additional primitive camping can be found farther from town near Trinity Lake and approaching Lassen National Park.
Access to most dispersed sites requires travel on gravel or dirt roads, with conditions varying seasonally. Perry Riffle Trailhead features a gravel parking area with pit toilets and trash receptacles but no drinking water. Cline Gulch requires navigation on unpaved roads that may be challenging for larger vehicles or during wet weather. Many areas have fire restrictions, particularly during summer and fall fire seasons. Camping is typically limited to 14 days in a 30-day period on BLM lands, with no reservations required or accepted. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at more remote locations.
The dispersed camping experience varies significantly between sites. Perry Riffle provides access to the Sacramento River and hiking trails. "Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance," noted one camper. Cline Gulch offers more seclusion along with creek access, though several visitors mention encountering trash from previous campers. One reviewer described it as "super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed." The Olive Pit Dispersed Lot functions more as an overnight parking area in a commercial setting, convenient to services but with significant road noise. Wildlife sightings, including owls and foxes, have been reported at several locations. Campers should be prepared for limited amenities and self-sufficient camping.
"Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services."
"This is just a gravel parking lot, but it's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river. Several horse and hiking trails start from here. There's a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling."
"This site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there."
"No amenities of any kind."
"Great location off 299. 5 miles from Big Flat"
"Being right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true."
"We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park."
"Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between."
"Its a a great spot, just a handfull of miles East of the Lassen national park north entrance off the ca 44."
"No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully."
"Just 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."
"As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking."
"Car camping----->Vanlife----->Skoolie life (present day). Must be the Shasta energy, I love this place, and I have to return."
"Lovely 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."
"This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."
"dispersed camping
- no amenities
- a beautiful open field with the woods in the back and Trinity lake in the front
- you could camp in the open field or in the woods"
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.
RangerThe good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.
The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.
That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.
It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.
I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.
Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management
RangerWe arrived late after dark and found the area to be quite far off the beaten path. It was another overnight stop for us while traveling through the area.
We located the designated spot, but the signage was confusing. There were numerous signs stating “No Camping” and “Day Use Only,” even though there were established fire pits present. It was difficult to tell whether the specific area we were in allowed overnight stays while the surrounding area did not.
The river was nice, and the area itself is pretty. However, the road leading to the site is rough and best suited for 4x4 vehicles. There is also a fairly steep downhill section to reach the parking area.
One positive was the solitude. We didn’t see a single vehicle pass by during our entire stay, so it was very peaceful and quiet throughout the night.
I’m giving this location one star, not because of the scenery, but because of the confusing camping regulations. If the camping situation had been clearly marked, I would probably rate it two or three stars. Stay at your own risk and verify the rules for yourself before spending the night.
There are no hookups, no water, and no amenities. At least from the spot where we stayed, there wasn’t even a maintained trail down to the river.
RangerBeing right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true. Sure enough, there were established fire pits, although I’m fairly certain there is a burn ban for much of the year. I didn’t want to risk it, so I skipped even using a Solo Stove.
This is a decent overnight spot, but not really a destination in itself. We spent the day exploring the nearby Manzanita Lake picnic area and driving the scenic road through Lassen, including the Bumpass Mountain area, before returning after dark to spend the night.
The campsite itself isn’t anything particularly special, but it serves its purpose well as a quick and easy overnight stop. The sites are tucked back among the pines and feel reasonably secluded.
In dry conditions, I think most two-wheel-drive vehicles would be fine getting here. The gravel road has some fairly deep ruts in places, but the campsites are located very close to the road, so there isn’t much driving required once you arrive.
Starlink worked surprisingly well, even with the surrounding pine trees.
There are no amenities here—no water, toilets, trash service, or hookups—but Lassen National Park is just a short drive away if you need facilities during the day.
Overall, it’s a convenient and quiet overnight stop for anyone exploring the Lassen area.
GuideEasy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.
ScoutAs one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking.
TravelerWe found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.
Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.
Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.
Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutSame experience as the other reviews. Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right. The turnoff is on Google maps and was easy to find even in the dark. Nobody else around that we saw, even given the busy weekend! Agreed with others on the road noise but it was fine. Just a few minutes from Manzanita lake. Great find!
Dispersed camping near Cottonwood, California occurs primarily on public lands at elevations between 400-1,200 feet, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. The area sits at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley where foothills transition into mountains, creating varied terrain for free camping. Winter brings mild temperatures and occasional rain, making it accessible year-round for campers seeking alternatives to developed campgrounds.
Fishing access: The Sacramento River near Perry Riffle Trailhead provides opportunities for anglers throughout the year. "The river was a nice way to cool off," reports one camper who visited during August heat. Several spots along the river offer shallow entry points for wading.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking paths connect from dispersed camping areas. "Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance," notes a visitor to Perry Riffle. Near Lassen, Big Pine Dispersed Camping offers creek-side recreation. One camper shared: "Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast."
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting of many dispersed sites creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. At Perry Riffle, campers have observed "great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning." Areas farther from town offer even darker skies with minimal light pollution.
Creek sounds: Water features rank highly with reviewers at several sites. At Big Pine, one camper appreciated "the beautiful sounds of the babbling creek & birds." Another visitor called the experience "chefs kiss" while camping directly beside the water.
Seclusion levels: Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed receives praise for its privacy. "My husband and I loved this place. It was a little bumpy ride but well worth it. It was super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed," wrote one reviewer.
Proximity to services: For those needing quick access to stores, Olive Pit Dispersed Lot offers convenience. "Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket," notes a reviewer. Another mentioned it's "just a small parking lot with 8 or 9 pull through sites in the middle of a small downtown commercial area."
Access challenges: Roads to some sites deteriorate during wet weather. "This is a good gravel road not far from main road. Lots of spaces along road," noted a Cline Gulch visitor, though others mention rough conditions. Seasonal road closures may affect winter access.
Wildlife awareness: Ticks appear in multiple reviews. One camper at Cline Gulch reported: "I had a perfect spot right by the river... I was about to write a 5 star review... but then my dog and I both got bitten by ticks - and we woke to find 8 other dead ticks in our bed."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping near Lassen, visitors report "1 bar AT&T, no service for Verizon." Big Pine campers noted "no service" throughout their stay.
Water play options: Families appreciate creek and river access during hot months. "Right next to the creek and big spots! Our motorhome drove down here just fine," wrote a parent camping at Big Pine, adding it was "perfect for kids and dogs!"
Site selection strategy: Arrive early to secure spots with natural boundaries. At Christie Hill Basecamp, one camper advised: "If you have low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully." Look for established fire rings indicating previous use.
Safety preparation: Given remoteness of most sites, families should carry extra water and first aid supplies. "No water or outhouse," notes a Christie Hill reviewer. Pack garbage bags as most dispersed camping areas have no trash service.
Size limitations: Large rigs face significant restrictions. At Cline Gulch, one RVer cautioned: "Would recommend larger rigs avoid this area due to the number of low hanging tree branches." At North Manzanita, reviewers noted only smaller RVs could access certain areas.
Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks as most sites have uneven terrain. One Olive Pit camper noted "very flat, leveled, and long paved spots" making it suitable for "up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs" unlike more remote options.
Overnight alternatives: When traveling between destinations, consider commercial parking areas. "Several very confused customers looked at us like we were hillbillies," joked one RVer who arrived at the Olive Pit at 3 AM and made coffee in the parking lot the next morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cottonwood, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cottonwood, CA is Perry Riffle Trailhead with a 3.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cottonwood, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Cottonwood, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
