Best Campgrounds near Forest Ranch, CA

Forest Ranch is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Forest Ranch, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Forest Ranch, California (202)

    1. Butte Meadows Campground

    6 Reviews
    Forest Ranch, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    "This site is awesome, right on the river, close to the cal fire station and walking distance to the local Butte Meadows businesses."

    "We stopped here in the middle of a trip to Shasta and chose a campground farther away from the others and next to the river."

    3. Almond Tree RV Park

    1 Review
    Chico, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 899-1271

    4. Potato Patch Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mill Creek, CA
    22 miles
    Website

    "We were in a site close to the road but recommend a site closer to the creek. Note: no easy access to creek from campground, so recommend going to the red bridge to access trails."

    "The area is covered in greenery and it is next to Deer Creek with easy access for trout fishing."

    5. Philbrook Campground

    1 Review
    Belden, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (916) 386-5164

    "Great little lake. Good fishing. Rough road in."

    6. Black Rock Campground (Lassen NF)

    4 Reviews
    Mill Creek, CA
    20 miles
    Website

    "There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs."

    7. Cherry Hill Campground

    2 Reviews
    Mill Creek, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 258-2141

    $14 / night

    "But get to sleep right next to the creek. And wake up to it with beautiful forests. Bring tube and rope! You will thanks me. Dog MUST be on leashed."

    8. Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Corning, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 538-2200

    $31 / night

    "It would have been a two-hour drive to get to this place from where we were but with all the wildfires in recent years in this part of California, many campgrounds have closed."

    "The only issue we had was there was no trashcans anywhere close to us and also our campground happened to be by the entrance and by the busy street, so instead of waking up to birds and nature it was loud"

    9. Soda Springs

    1 Review
    Forest Ranch, CA
    14 miles
    Website

    10. Bidwell Canyon Campground — Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Oroville, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 538-2200

    $45 / night

    "If you are looking for a small campground with full hookups, on the lake, close to Table Mountain and Feather Falls, this is for you."

    "Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The staff where we checked in were helpful with all of our questions about the area."

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Recent Reviews near Forest Ranch, CA

440 Reviews of 202 Forest Ranch Campgrounds


  • Jeff A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Domingo Springs Campground

    Quiet, clean, lucky spot. Did not burn

    USFS Sites good sized, whispering pines all around. Pit toilets clean. PGE CG’s on west side of Almanor Lake same quality, same amenities, more sites, but tripled cost! :( Fire rings new tables, spring water across the way. For us we were pleased like rustic and we take good care of Mother Nature. No lake but brook nearby and Almanor Lake not far. :) Thankful to have found.

  • avery R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Showers and indoor plumbing!

    If you like camping with modern comforts, this is your spot. They even had laundry (you’ve got to bring cash though). It’s busy, so it won’t be quiet, but it was a great place to meet people.

  • T
    Sep. 17, 2025

    PG&E Lassen National Forest Rocky Point Campground

    Fall camping

    This campground is beautiful with pine trees , lava rock, boulders and the lake just a short walk down the bike path. There are pit toilets throughout with garbage bins and water spigots .The only problem in September is they are logging to thin the trees for fire safety, so not as quiet during the week days

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Excellent NPS CAMPGROUND

    Simple but beautiful campground. Use Recreation.gov to reserve a site. If you dont have reservation you still need to log into the site to claim a spot. Fortunately there is wifi at the visitor center (not at the park store).

    Keep in mind that there is no water available. Need to bring your own.

    Also, no cell service but campground is sparsely tree covered. We were able to use Starlink just fine at our site.

    Lots of hiking nearby.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Simple but clean and nice level sites with picnic tables

    Just staying one night on my way to Nevada but this is an easy location with decent cell service and a clean bathroom and garbage receptacles in a hiking and equestrian area

  • Matt S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Christie Hill Basecamp

    Under Construction

    There appears to be logging or construction going on, as a previous review stated most of the pull ins are just areas that the bulldozer is pushed everything back. There is one a few hundred yards in that is decent nice and quiet, but very dusty.

  • Ibeya A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Great spot for a short stop over

    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. We enjoyed our stay for one night, but I wouldn't want to stay here for more than a few days. It was roasting in August; the river was a nice way to cool off.

  • Diana R.
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Red Bluff KOA Journey

    Messed up reservations, staff rude.

    This campground has a lot of live ins: there animals are not well behaved, barked most of the night, stray cats wandering around bothering our animals.  We made reservations and reserved a campsite number, was not told we had to pay $25 more to reserve a site, they put us in the site I requested not to have, the excuse was the computer rearranged the campsite. Asked to speak to management who never appeared and lady at desk was rude.


Guide to Forest Ranch

Camping near Forest Ranch, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails around Lassen Volcanic National Park. One camper mentioned, “The hiking is incredible and there is a trail that goes around the lake” at Manzanita Lake Campground.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Collins Lake Recreation Area, where one visitor said, “The lake is stocked with fish.”
  • Kayaking: Rent kayaks at Manzanita Lake Campground for a fun day on the water. A reviewer noted, “There are kayak, cataraft, and SUP rentals available for Manzanita Lake.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One reviewer at Bidwell Canyon Campground said, “Super clean camp grounds, with an amazing view when near the water.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Mt. Lassen-Shingletown KOA remarked, “Great amenities. Very well maintained.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often find the campgrounds peaceful. One visitor at Butte Lake Campground mentioned, “This was a very peaceful campground, given it was in a popular National Park.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Butte Lake Campground, do not have showers or electric hookups. A reviewer noted, “There are toilets but I didn't see any showers.”
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campgrounds can get busy, especially during weekends. One camper at Manzanita Lake Campground said, “This campground is huge and busy.”
  • Gravel Roads: Accessing some campgrounds, like Butte Lake Campground, requires driving on gravel roads. A visitor warned, “Just beware of the 5-mile gravel road into camp.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like playgrounds. One camper at Inn Town Campground said, “Facilities were super clean and nice. Pool was small but the pool area was really nice.”
  • Plan Activities: Bring bikes for the kids. A reviewer at Collins Lake Recreation Area suggested, “Bring your bikes if you have them because the ride to the dam is nice.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. One camper at Parkway RV Resort & Campground mentioned, “Great place to stop along I5. Well cared for with nice pull-through sites.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level, so check before setting up. A camper at Manzanita Lake Campground noted, “We would be highly selective in our choice of sites.”
  • Bring Extra Hoses: If you need to connect sewer hoses, it might be helpful to have two. A reviewer at Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot mentioned, “We found a little difficult to connect the sewer hose without two hoses.”
  • Enjoy the Amenities: Many campgrounds offer great facilities. One camper at Durango RV Resort said, “All the amenities! You name it, they got it.”

Camping near Forest Ranch, California, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Forest Ranch, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Forest Ranch, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 202 campgrounds and RV parks near Forest Ranch, CA and 15 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Forest Ranch, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Forest Ranch, CA is Butte Meadows Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forest Ranch, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Forest Ranch, CA.

What parks are near Forest Ranch, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Forest Ranch, CA that allow camping, notably Black Butte Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Park.