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Best Tent Camping near Etna, CA

401 Reviews

The Klamath National Forest surrounding Etna, California offers several tent-only camping options, including Etna City Park within town limits and more remote backcountry sites in the surrounding mountains. Etna City Park provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities for Pacific Crest Trail hikers and visitors, operating on a $5 donation system. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Lovers Camp Trailhead and Mule Bridge Campground offer tent-specific sites with vault toilets and picnic tables. These established tent campgrounds serve as gateways to wilderness areas and hiking trails throughout the Marble Mountain Wilderness, approximately 10-15 miles from Etna's town center.

Most tent campsites in the Etna region feature natural, ungraded surfaces with minimal site preparation. Etna City Park offers grassy tent pads with nearby restrooms and showers (tokens available at Ray's Market), while forest service tent campgrounds typically provide only basic vault toilets and fire rings. According to camper reviews, many backcountry tent sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, with rough forest service roads leading to more remote primitive tent camping areas. Forest Service regulations typically allow 14-day stays at dispersed tent camping locations. Water availability varies significantly by location, with most primitive tent sites requiring campers to bring their own water or filter from nearby creeks.

Walk-in tent sites at Etna City Park provide convenient access to town amenities. One PCT hiker noted that "the camping area is in the left back corner of the park" with "a large shelter with picnic tables and electric plug-ins to charge your phone." For those seeking more secluded tent camping, the surrounding national forest offers greater solitude. Tent campers frequently use these areas as base camps for backpacking trips into the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F in lower elevations, making higher elevation tent campgrounds more comfortable during peak season. Wildlife sightings are common at forest tent sites, with deer frequently wandering through campsites at dawn and dusk.

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Best Tent Sites Near Etna, California (56)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Etna, CA

16 Photos of 56 Etna Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Etna, CA

401 Reviews of 56 Etna Campgrounds

  • Rosie H.
    May. 30, 2021

    East Fork Campground

    Clean bathrooms

    The spot I was in was small and nestled in a grove of aspen trees. The bear locker was well maintained and the fire ring was double walled. There were flush toilets with working lights and the tent pad was level.

    Its a short drive to some great hikes, but the campground itself was too busy and too close to the highway to use as a good starting point.

  • Dan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2023

    Tannery Gulch Campground

    3.5 Stars

    Nice well shaded campground, some sites enjoy lake views although Trinity Lake is very low at this point. Site 67 is a nice size, lots of space between adjacent sites. Two tent flats, table and fire ring. Some sites have bear boxes, 67 does not. Close but not too close to the bathroom. Camp host was friendly. Easy walk/ drive to the lake. I would check site map and reviews if possible, some sites looked very small and unappealing while others were very spacious.(67) No firewood for sale on site. Overall campground was nice and site 67 in particular was very good. 3.5 Stars.

  • Johnny G.
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Bolan Lake Campground

    Good place to camp by the lake.

    Tent camped at Bolan Lake on Saturday, not a lot of people here which was nice. Sites have fire pit and tables, clean space to pitch tents or use rooftop tent. No WiFi or cell reception. This weekend was hot, close to 110 and being at lake was perfect. If you want peace and quiet, water access and blooming flowers with trees, this is a good spot.

    It’s a pretty long dirt road to get to the campground, make sure you have good tires that can handed rocks/dirt terrain.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Fowlers Campground

    Great Little Campsite

    My friends and I stopped here for a night before we go camping in the backcountry and it was great! Has a little fire pit, bear box and nice flat spots to put your tent.

  • B
    Jun. 16, 2016

    Camp 4 Group Campground — Shasta Trinity National Forest

    first come, first served

    site: no privacy. shaded. bear box at site. amenities: not many bathrooms. no showers at campground. attractions: near to the main attractions in the park. If I was okay with first come, first served I might camp here. (others told us a person has to arrive VERY early to get a spot- like 5am/6am)

  • Greg B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Ripstein Campground

    Fantastic Spot, on the way up to Trinity Alps

    My second time here...dunno why I didn't review it on the first.

    Mid-July and a main gateway to the Trinity Alps, I figured this place would be fairly busy.  Exact opposite!!   Not a soul in camp & very few cars at the trailhead parking lot (about a mile up the road).  There are 8 spots, 4 fairly close to a parking 'slot', 4 that you can park in an open area and walk to (at most 10-15 yards away).  There is one pit building with 4 toilets, 2 men/women.  There were trash/recycling receptacles.   All spots had fire rings/picnic tables, several had bear boxes.  There was NO cell service (Verizon & T-Mobile).  With temps into the high 90s, the jewel of this camp was Canyon Creek.  The color of this creek was the most beautiful gray/blue I had seen.  Crystal clear water at a refreshing mid-60s? temperature.  With a hot summer day...it was perfect!!

  • Kristina B.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    LOGE Mt Shasta

    A goat pen on gravel in a parking lot.

    Not a campground at all. It’s a hotel where they dumped gravel in the parking and erected goat pens for people to sleep in. 

    No toilet paper or hand towels in the bathroom. All services were closed. No bar. No coffee. No rentals. The only shade is in your goat pen. 

    The goat pen comes with a picnic table and two plastic Adirondack chairs. 

    I’m camping alone so I had to move a picnic table by myself in order to set up my tent. On gravel mind you. The website shows an elevated platform. Not the case. It’s gravel. Big gravel. Hard tent piercing sharp gravel. Gravel. 

    A car was parked in front of my “campsite”. 

    Annoyed and exasperated in 100° weather and no one on staff to talk to I left. It’s June. Nothing is available last minute. I drank a local margarita and decided to suck it up 

    The only fire pit was communal. Do not expect privacy. There are goat pens packed in right next to each other. You can hear everyone’s conversations. 

    I felt obnoxious as I filled my air mattress due to the noise it made. 

    Expect road noise and train noise. All night. 

    Pros: the shower. 

    Cons: literally everything else.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2021

    Ashland's Creekside Campground & RV Park

    Undergoing Improvements

    At highway 66 near Ashland this park has both RV and tent sites. The RV sites are full/partial hook up (30 amp only) and dry camping. Note though that even if you pay for partial or dry you will still need to pay $10/dump your tanks. We opted for just full hook ups here. The tent sites are near the creek.

    There was some work being done that appear to be some upgrades. There is a nice pool area, a pond and the creek. The sites are level with picnic tables and fire pits. There are bathrooms, free hot showers, laundry, dog run, playground and store. Also available is propane ($3.50/gallon) book exchange and ice. Wifi was fast and free.

    The road noise is noticeable but not too bad. Some of the spots can be close but for a night it wasn't bad. Pets are allowed on leash only but there were a couple of loose dogs running around so be aware. 

    NOTE: Google tells you to turn on the street (Neil Creek Rd) just after the park so if you have a big rig then turning around could be difficult. Keep an eye out for the campground and turn into it directly from the main road instead.

    All the office and maintenance staff were friendly and helpful and neighbors were friendly and quiet.  We didn't get the tweaker vibe mentioned in some previous reviews. This place is cute - maybe there are new owners (who changed the name from Glenyan to Ashland Creekside, maybe?) who are trying to turn things around.

    Good cell service ATT, Verizon and TMobile.

  • Rick V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Trailer Lane Campground

    Great views, nice facility

    The tent only section is nicely tucked away from the RV sites. Nice for a campervan, but no hookups. Great views of Shasta and the cheapest option in Weed, it seems. There is a bit of noise from the highway.

Guide to Etna

Nestled in the scenic beauty of Northern California, Etna offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Etna City Park, campers can enjoy well-maintained facilities, including restrooms and a picnic shelter, making it a convenient stop for hikers.
  • Toad Lake Campground provides a pristine environment with no trash services, encouraging visitors to leave no trace and maintain the area's natural beauty.
  • Mule Bridge Campground allows campfires, giving campers the chance to enjoy cozy evenings under the stars.

Tent campers should check out Lovers Camp

  • The Lovers Camp Trailhead is a gateway to stunning backpacking routes, with beautiful scenery just a short hike away.
  • Lovers Camp Campground offers a peaceful setting for tent camping, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Nearby, Hidden Horse Campground provides access to horse camping, making it a unique option for equestrian enthusiasts.

Local activities for tent campers

  • Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is a must for visitors, with easy access from Etna City Park for those looking to explore the stunning landscapes.
  • Fishing and kayaking at Toad Lake Campground offer a tranquil experience surrounded by nature's beauty.
  • The charming town of Etna features local restaurants and cafes, all within walking distance from Etna City Park, providing a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and community atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Etna, CA is Etna City Park with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Etna, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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