M
MATTHEW R.
Ranger
RangerMcbride Springs Campground
Quiet, fcfs, self check-in envelops at the entrance. Vault toilets (2) and a hand water pump. Direct access to MTB trails and short drive to the town.
Tent Camping near Etna, CA
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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.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Etna (59)
1. Etna City Park
"This is a well-maintained city park that is friendly to tent camping. They ask for a $5 fee. Shower tokens can be purchased at Ray's Market, located a few blocks away."
2. Lovers Camp Trailhead
"We just finished a backpacking trip in marble valley and sky high lakes area, both accessible about 5+ miles from the Lovers Camp Trailhead. It was absolutely beautiful!"
3. Lovers Camp Campground
"This site is primarily a trailhead for backpackers and hunters heading into the Marble Mountain wilderness. You lose all cell service a couple miles before arriving at the campground."
4. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping
"This is almost a, “I don’t wanna share with others” kind of a spot. One of the first most breath-taking spots we’ve found with views of Mount Shasta."
"Castle Lake Campground was full so we went back down toward town and found this turnoff 0.7 miles from the campground. Maybe 5- 10 spots in here."
5. Mule Bridge Campground
6. Bridge Flat Campground
7. Toad Lake Campground
"Toad Lake is a pristine mountain lake accessible only via a long, rough, and rocky single lane dirt road (Toad Lake Road 40N64)."
8. Hidden Horse Campground
from $10 / night
Check Availability9. Gumboot Lake Campground
"This is a beautiful place to go camp with lots of great hiking trails nearby including the pacific crest trail"
10. Box Camp Trailhead
Drive Time
- 1 hr 19 min from Medford, OR
- 1 hr 46 min from Grants Pass, OR
- 1 hr 55 min from Redding, CA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Etna, CA
14 Photos of 59 Etna Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Etna, CA
467 Reviews of 59 Etna Campgrounds
Michelle H.
GuideMcCloud RV Resort
So much shade
We stayed two nights here and were able to walk to the Apple harvest festival across the street. You are definitely packed in here but the park is really nice. We stayed in spot 29.
These spots seem to have shade all day long: 25-34 47-70
Spots we saw that we would like to stay in next time: 18, 19, 83A, 113
Also good: 80-83 and 105-113
36-47 have no shade in the afternoon/early evening
The bathrooms were old but clean. I wish the outdoor cooking facilities were better maintained. I’m not quite sure they are usable, but my husband says they are.
We definitely will return to this Park. I appreciate the tight ship they run. We let them know that our cable box was broken when we arrived, and even though we don’t use the cable, they had somebody there within five minutes to fix it. Strict 10pm quiet rule, which I also appreciated. Some highway noise, but it was not that bad. The little town of McCloud is so very cute and easily walkable. We recommend Sage for a fancy dinner.
- JJacqueline S.
TravelerFowlers Campground
Quiet amongst the trees
I showed up for a first come first served site. It wasn’t clear when I drove in that you can look at the dates on the reservation tags and use the site if you’re between days it is reserved. Nice shady wooded campground right next to the river with easy access to a gorgeous trail.
- JJacqueline S.Traveler
Jackson Campground On The Applegate River
Quiet and great location
The campground sits right on the river and even though it is near the road, there is not much traffic. At night it was super quiet. The camp host was friendly and the bathrooms were clean and there is a nice trail along the river.
S.AllanTravelerTree Of Heaven Campground
The Boondock
It's a beautiful camp, but there is a conflict between their (gov run) website information and in park board. Some sights are first come first serve, but some can be reserved online, but aren't marked, so there can be a reservation for a first come first serve spot. I've been there three times, the last wasn't bad, but twice the above issues caused inconvenience to my camp. Still a beautiful place, though
Ernie J.GuideDispersed near Lake Shastina
Very Sandy Campsites
The access is right off of hwy 97, the gravel road is fine for low clearance vehicles, and the campsites are just off of the gravel road. Be prepared for getting fine sand everywhere. There are nice views of Mt. Shasta and options for open sky or shaded areas to choose from. Traffic is minimal but you will hear a train at least once a day or night.
- mmichele C.
ScoutMount Shasta City KOA Holiday
Noise
Highway noise, lots train noise, cement picnic tables can’t move, gravel, not level.
- GGazelle F.Traveler
Trailer Lane Campground
Adorable shasta sugar trailer 1961
Me and my boyfriend visited Shasta for the first time, and we stayed 3 nights at Shasta Sugar Vintage Trailer. Unfortunately, our 3 days started with rain, so we couldn’t explore nature and have as much adventure as we wanted. Heavy rain, muddy roads, and driving in the fog changed our trip plans. But when our plans changed, we had to stay in the trailer more—and we actually enjoyed it even much more! I was so glad to find this vintage cutie. When I booked it, I knew the interior was vintage, but I didn’t realize how special it would feel. Shasta Sugar is from 1961, so you really have to appreciate the vintage charm of it. We never had any issues and didn’t smell any gas or gas licking. It was pretty warm inside with the heater. I don’t know about summer without AC, but it might be enough with the fans. The profile does say there is no AC. We cooked breakfast and dinner and really enjoyed using the kitchen. We slept well, and I really appreciated the taste of the interior design. I loved all the colors, even the dishes they chose. The vintage blue and red make the place even more special if you have an artsy taste. Surprisingly, the couch that turns into a bed was so comfy to sleep on! Just keep in mind, if your boyfriend is tall and has big shoulders, it might feel a little tight. If you like this trailer, date a shorter man.😂 Everything was so clean and cute. Sitting outside by the apple tree, we never heard the noise from the highway. We enjoyed all the chicken and rooster sounds, especially in the morning—they were adorable! Honestly, hearing the rooster sound is the best first thing when you wake up. The bathroom was clean and warm, with really hot water in the shower. So convenient! Karen was the best host. She cared about our privacy, was really helpful, and always responded quickly. We really appreciated her. I also really recommend the campground if you want to experience the RV lifestyle. Overall, I really recommend this place. You’ll have such a unique experience staying in the cutest vintage trailer ever, especially if you have an artsy taste! Thank you Host. lucky to find her.
- Zoe B.Scout
Castle Lake Dispersed Camping
Get here early
Spots fill up so get here early. You’re going to want an SUV or larger
Guide to Etna
Tent campsites near Etna, California range from primitive backcountry sites to established campsites that provide access to the Marble Mountain Wilderness. The Klamath National Forest terrain surrounding Etna features elevations from 2,900 feet in town to over 8,000 feet in the nearby mountains. Summer temperatures in higher elevation camping areas typically drop to the 40s at night, requiring campers to pack appropriate cold weather gear even during July and August.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: Toad Lake Campground offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities in a pristine mountain lake setting. "Beautiful flowers are everywhere. This is a very fragile ecosystem so please tread carefully," notes Adam H., who recommends bringing an inflatable kayak despite the difficult 15-minute hike to the lake.
Backpacking into wilderness: Lovers Camp Trailhead serves as a gateway to extended backcountry excursions. "We just finished a backpacking trip in marble valley and sky high lakes area, both accessible about 5+ miles from the Lovers Camp Trailhead. It was absolutely beautiful! So much to do in that area and such great views," reports Erin.
Stargazing on clear nights: The higher elevation sites around Mount Ashland provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The sunsets are GORGEOUS and stargazing is amazing but it is WINDY and I mean, drops 20 degrees windy," warns Abby M., suggesting campers prepare for significant temperature drops after sunset.
What campers like
Free camping options: Mount Ashland Campground requires no fee while offering basic amenities. "It is a marked campground that is FREE. Simply follow the road past the ski area and you will find it," explains Hannah H., though she notes that spots with fire rings fill quickly.
Scenic mountain views: The higher elevation campsites provide panoramic vistas across multiple states. "The view alone is worth it for at least a night, can see all the way to Mt. Shasta, truly spectacular!!" writes Ihasa G., who appreciates the primitive but reasonable free camping at Mount Ashland.
Swimming opportunities: Castle Lake Dispersed Camping provides access to nearby water features. One camper recommends, "If you camp here check out Siskiyou Lake right down the way to swim it was THE best view of Shasta and the most mellow and perfect swimming conditions!"
What you should know
Road conditions and vehicle requirements: Many primitive campsites require high-clearance vehicles. About Toad Lake, Adam H. advises, "Take this road only if you have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle with suitable clearance and are comfortable driving on such mountain roads... The road is very rough, so expect to bounce around for about 1.5 hours while traveling at an average speed of 5mph."
Site selection challenges: Castle Lake Dispersed offers varying site options based on vehicle capabilities. "I got in with a lil mazda, tho i did turn back from some of the lower section. it's a pull off to the left when going TO castle lake. spots splintering off along the main road," shares Shirah P.
Seasonal limitations: May and early June camping often encounters snow at higher elevations. One Castle Lake camper noted, "As of May 31st there isn't access to some areas as there is snow blocking the way, some areas are wet from the snow that has already melted. The toilets up at Castle Lake are still covered in snow and inaccessible."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra layers: Temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night are common at mountain camping areas near Etna. "The cooler temperatures are great," notes Gary N. at Mount Ashland, but evening temperatures can drop unexpectedly even in summer.
Consider in-town options: Etna City Park provides convenient tent camping with amenities. One visitor who didn't camp overnight still appreciated that "This is a well-maintained city park that is friendly to tent camping. They ask for a $5 fee. Shower tokens can be purchased at Ray's Market, located a few blocks away."
Seek out swim-friendly locations: When camping during hot weather, identify nearby swimming spots. According to visitors, several lakes within 30-45 minutes of Etna offer swimming opportunities, with Siskiyou Lake receiving particular praise for family-friendly conditions.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations at forest campsites: Mule Bridge Campground and similar established forest service sites can accommodate smaller RVs but lack hookups. The primitive tent-focused campgrounds have limited parking and turning space for larger vehicles.
Challenging access roads: Most dispersed camping options near Etna have rough, narrow access roads. One camper at Castle Lake notes: "I would probably not recommend with a trailer. I made it down with my Tacoma and a 12ft travel trailer but it was a stretch. Super easy to get in, but took a long time to turn around and get back out. Anything bigger than and you're probably stuck."
Limited level sites: Finding level spots for RVs can be difficult at mountain camping areas. At Mount Ashland, a camper observed, "This campground is really only set up for tent campers. The place to park for vehicles is far from level. Even with camper jacks I was sleeping at an angle."
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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