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.
Manzanita Lake Campground (elevation 5,900 ft.) is the largest campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is within walking distance of the scenic Manzanita Lake, a popular fishing and family destination, and offers impressive views of Lassen Peak, the largest volcano in the park at 10,457 feet. The facility is conveniently located one mile south of the park entrance, close to The Loomis Museum, Loomis Ranger Station and popular hiking trails. Educational programs are presented at the museum and amphitheater.
Manzanita Lake is popular with fly fishermen, but the campground does maintain a catch-and-release policy. Non-motorized boating is also permitted and Kayak rentals are available nearby. The park boasts more than 150 miles of hiking trails, a variety of which can be accessed from the campground, including family-friendly hikes as well as those for more experienced hikers.
The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes, as well as many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second most recent to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens. Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats.
$26 / night
Potato Patch Campground is shaded by towering pines and firs__and conveniently located along Deer Creek.__Potato Patch Campground is a very popular spot for getting away from the valley heat. A developed campground with 32 designated sites, there is a maximum of 8 people per site. Some sites equipped to accommodate RVs and/or are ADA accessible. Grills and tables are provided. Excellent trout fishing can be found all along Deer Creek.
Bidwell Canyon Campground is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and is a great place for Lake Oroville camping. The campground is located near the Bidwell Marina on the south side of the lake, adjacent to the boat launch ramps. Bidwell Canyon Campground features 75 campsites divided into two loops on either side of the marina - Big Pine Campground (sites 1-39) and Gold Flat Campground (sites 40-75). The sites accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. All the sites have full hook-ups. Reservations can be made for your chosen campsite.
$45 / night
Developed campground with 13 designated sites. Maximum of 8 people per site. Grills and tables provided.
You’ll feel right at home with full electrical, water, and sewage hookups in a park-like setting at our 72-space RV park conveniently located just off Interstate 5 (I-5). All spaces are pull-throughs. WiFi access is available over most of the park. The RV Park at Rolling Hills is within an easy walk of the Casino and golf course. Private showers, laundry facilities, and pet day care are also nearby at the Traveler’s Center. The site is safe and secure with 24-hour patrol. Fee is $40 per night with a ten night maximum stay. Stop by the Traveler’s Center to register. Check out time is at 11:00am. You can reserve by calling (530) 528-3500.
Nestled among groves of trees and lush surroundings, Parkway RV Resort & Campground is an RV camper’s paradise. Our large, shaded campground is tranquil yet easily accessible and conveniently located in California’s Great Central Valley. Established in 2004, The Parkway RV Resort & Campground has been giving fellow travelers a place to stay for over 10 years. Our upscale amenities make The Parkway RV Resort & Campground a popular destination. Whether you’re a family on vacation, or a wanderlust road tripper looking to spend a night, we have something to offer you.
Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area is a beautiful oak woodland park nestled along the Sacramento River between Chico and Red Bluff. Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, and the Trinity Alps loom in the distance. A boat launch ramp located across the road in the county park makes for easy access to the river for those who enjoy water sports. A broad sand and gravel beach provides the opportunity to enjoy the sun and enjoy the Sacramento River. Another special feature of Woodson Bridge is the preserve. This dense native riparian forest is a winter home to the Bald Eagle and a summer nest site for the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. This jungle like grove displays some of the last remaining riparian habitat to be found in California. Over a hundred plant species have been identified throughout the park; the most prominent is the large valley oak. The California black walnut, Oregon ash, black cottonwood, sycamore, and willow are also plentiful. Beneath the oaks and cottonwoods along the river is a profusion of elderberry, wild grape, and wildflowers in season.
$31 / night
Black Rock Campground is a dispersed campground situated in the Oak Woodlands along Mill Creek. 6 sites are available for primitive dispersed camping. Grills and tables are provided at each of the 6 sites. Black Rock Campground is open year round.Black Rock Campground is located on the Northeast corner of the Ishi Wilderness. Hiking in the Ishi and along Mill Creek is wonderful and the fishing in Deer and Mill Creeks can be very rewarding.__Black Rock Campground is accessible via Highway__36 east from Red Bluff to__Ponderosa Way. Ponderosa Way is a dirt road, not recommended for RVs, that leads to the Ishi Wilderness.
Collins Lake is a favorite Northern California destination for families. This 1,600 acre recreation area offers LAKEFRONT RV& TENT camping with excellent fishing and wakeboarding. Collins Lake has California’s largest private trophy trout planting program of any lake north of Sacramento and equally famous for bass, crappie& catfish. Facilities include RV hookups, cabins, hot showers, laundry, marina, rental boats, sandy beach, playground, store with huge ice creams& espresso drinks. Family friendly with movies under the stars and live music every summer summer. Located only 70 miles northeast of Sacramento at 1200’ elevation. Family owned and operated since 1972.
Legend
This spot is quite secluded along a creek. The creek is running really good and there are lots of spots for parking. I would definitely park here again. Ideal for larger rigs, not real sure as it's been a while.
Scout
Men’s shower code is 9271 as of 10/10/24 for all you stinky campers (myself included)
Traveler
Bon rapport qualité prix comparer à celui un peu avant et proximité du lac
Traveler
This was a perfect campsite. Came in late but everybody was eager and happy to help out. Met the hosts who took their time and explained about the park.
Located only 10 minutes from Lassen and by the road and still an rv spot in the forest. Very nice.
An upper class restaurant and a bar so something for everyone.
Very recommandable
Ranger
This campground is a very quiet spot after Labor Day, it is small, only 10 sites total and it is only open until September 30, which I don't understand since there is no snow here until November.
When we were there only one other camper was staying here and he was a deer hunter.
The water is shut off after Labor Day so come prepared. This campground has two sites that will take a 30' trailer and the remaining sites will take smaller trailers, tents or campers.
One site has a new picnic table but all sites have tables, fire pits and plenty of room between sites. Pit toilets are near the entrance and only one was clean when we stayed here.
Not to far from Bucks Lake if you want to camp and then drive to the lake.
Fees have changed, they are $25 a night and $12.50 if you have the pass.
Ranger
This was a beautiful campground, primitive in the Plumas National Forest but it is burnt to the earth after the North Complex Fire and it will never reopen.
We drove up on 9.25.24 to see if any of the down trees have been cleared and only some have been. You can pull into the camp but large dead and down trees prevent access to the campground.
The pit toilet is also damaged and it is unlikely the USFS will make any repairs.
Ranger
Sly Creek Reservoir is a beautiful mountain lake with several campsites along a small portion of the lake.
There is a boat ramp and ATV riding on the forest roads in the area.
The campground closed in 2024 for tree removal and cleanup but is expected to open in 2025.
Passes are honored.
Ranger
This campground and the one to the south, Cool Springs, are both run by Pacific Gas and Electric Utility company.
There are campground hosts at both campgrounds and late in September half of Ponderosa Flat closes. The entire campground closes at the end of September.
There was plenty of water in the Reservoir and it could be okay for a boat but you have to look out for all the snags in the water, and there are a lot of them.
Campground is quiet but tight to get a large trailer in, ours is 26 feet and it was tight. The spaces in the closed portion of the campground were a bit more spacious.
Fire rings, tables and pit toilets. It was $30 a night with no power, power sites are more expensive.
If you have a cool campground host you can ride your ATV or Side by side out onto the dirt road and ride for miles. Just be mindful it is not really supposed to be a ride out campground.
Scout
Great spaces next to lake. No cell service. Lots of places to enjoy on the shoreline.
Scout
Same 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!
Guide
We stopped here on our way back from Oregon. Unfortunately, we arrived late and left early so we didn’t really get to enjoy the amenities. We were in site A10 which we found a little difficult to connect the sewer hose without two hoses. The family room was handicap accessible and included a shower, sink, changing table and a toilet. Even though we were far from the office the internet access was strong. Overall, the stopover served its purpose well, providing a restful break before the last leg of our trip home.
Guide
Very clean campground with a helpful host. Bathrooms/showers for paid guest have a code to get in. The day use area has porta potties. This place is dark at night so really good for star watching.
Guide
The place itself has delicious food. It is also a little grocery store. The “dog area” is something they squeezed into the side of the lot. Not fenced in but there were dog poop bags when we stopped.
Scout
It's along a cove in the lake. Super nice hosts and nice campers. The bathrooms are kind of gross but that's expected. Always camp here when we go to the lake.
Traveler
Place wasn’t too bad. Very nice people, very peaceful, and quiet, however, there were many people here who are permanent residents of the park, some of their areas are a little trashy looking for lack of a better word. Definitely not a bad spot if you’re on the way to another campground, but there are probably better ones to head to, especially if you have children with you. We were also looking for a place to camp with two days notice and this was all we could find. Cheap too!
Scout
*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore. Recommend water shoes, although this may only help a little as the rocks are quite large and when can trip over them as much as step on them. they are not round river rocks, but pointy and painful to traverse. *my stay: I was only here for two nights and on the second morning some people pulled in and pitched a tent at 4:30 in the morning. They weren’t particularly loud, but they did curse and had their flashlight bright enough that it shone into my site and RV. Overall, it was still a very pleasant stay for the two nights.
Guide
Just try to get a last minute camp spot on Memorial Day weekend most places. We were fortunate to discover Butt Lake near Lake Almanor. Only one small burn area far from the campgrounds. Friday was opening day for Cool Springs campground. A PG&E operated facility, it was in great shape and ready for the season. We did three nights, departing on Monday. On Friday night we were one of only a few guests. Saturday and Sunday were full, but the feeling was vary spacious. The lake is a reservoir with no actual inlet. Rather it is fed by a pipe from Lake Almanor with a hydroelectric plant just prior to the water entering Butt Lake. Oddly for a PG&E lake there is not hydroelectric plant at the outlet dam. Did some bike riding to check out the dam, Ponderosa Flat campground, Pioneer cemetery, and east shore of the lake.
Guide
Beautiful lake. Great campsites. Cannot pay at site.
Guide
No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully.
Legend
Heh, well, there's only one other review for this place, and it's from me from 2 years ago. So I won't repeat it all, because basically everything is the same except:
We arrived mid week with no reservations and the place was practically empty. It filled up on the weekend with loud partiers but overall it was a quiet and pleasant experience.
Great place to camp! Read my last review for more details!
Traveler
North is open, South is closed for Summer 2024.
It took some digging on this information as the USFS website is wrong.
I camp here on the South campground at least once every year. For the 2024 season, they CLOSED it at the last second.
The North campground is OPEN, but you cannot reserve it. First Come First Served (FCFS).
Boat ramp is at the North campground, but if you just have a paddleboard or kayak, you can just walk to the water by just waking down the road and launch at the edge of the lake.
There is a General Store within walking distance and restaurant/bar right on the lake too. I highly advise reservations for dinner on the deck.
TravelerAbout one mile south of the northwest entrance, so it’s convenient. Follow the instructions from other campers as they’re spot on. We camped to the right of the road, as we saw another camp site that was filled to the right. Tent campers will have no issues finding a spot. We didn’t venture too far down the road due to having a lower car, but we had plenty of options.
Although you feel secluded, the highway isn’t too far, so you’ll have some road noise (nothing crazy). We did hear coyotes off in the distance, which is so cool and spooky at the same time. Bear activity was reported in the area before we arrived, so keep that in mind. Make sure to bring your buh spray!
Will definitely stay here again if we visit the park again. Arrived June 19, left June 20.
GuideThis place is cool - the Mineral Lodge and Restaurant is where we checked in for campground. We needed a place to stay before heading into Lassen Volcanic NP. The Mineral Lodge and campground next door are family owned and have a community feel. No frill campground, does have hookups.
$35 per night plus $2 pet fee
Sites very close together. Bathroom old but works. Poor T Mobile service. No wifi.
Guide
This campground is huge and busy, but I was able to get a first come, first serve camp site last minute on a weekday. The lake is incredible and Lassen national park is a really special place so it’s a great spot to check out the rest of the park! The hiking is incredible and there is a trail that goes around the lake.
Guide
This site is awesome, right on the river, close to the cal fire station and walking distance to the local Butte Meadows businesses. So many great hiking trails near by and it is about an hour from lake Almanor.
TravelerImmediately prior to turning down road to Lassen turn in to dirt road. Again less than 50 yards on right is area to camp. Could also turn a big rig.
A 4 wheel drive is not required, it's just a dusty road. About 100 yards further, you could walk up the road and grab some water from the stream.
No Verizon phone or internet reception
TravelerPhone call found staff unhelpful and $35 night 1 x person, small 22 ft rig
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.
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 204 campgrounds and RV parks near Forest Ranch, CA and 14 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 Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Forest Ranch, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 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.
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