Collins Lake Recreation Area and Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs offer upscale glamping accommodations near Forest Ranch, California. Collins Lake features luxury canvas accommodations with comfortable beds, electricity, and premium amenities in a scenic lakeside setting. Lake of the Springs enhances the glamping experience with well-appointed yurts that include modern conveniences while maintaining a connection to nature. Both locations provide full hookup options, picnic tables, and easy access to recreation facilities. Each glamping site includes climate control options to ensure comfort in all seasons, with spacious interiors and furnished outdoor spaces. One reviewer noted, "The pool was amazing and the shuttle was great considering the heat."
Visitors exploring these glamping destinations can enjoy numerous water activities on Collins Lake and at Lake of the Springs, including fishing, swimming, and boating. The surrounding Mendocino National Forest offers extensive hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities accessible from glamping accommodations. For those seeking cultural experiences, nearby historic sites and local wineries provide day-trip options. The Village at Highlands Ranch offers additional boutique camping experiences with easy access to dining options. Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak summer months when these premium glamping sites fill quickly. According to a camper, "We enjoyed a pull thru full hookup spot. There was a fair amount of space between sites. If we need to get away for a night, I can see us coming back here again."
"Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again."
"Go right at the main entrance. We missed it by wandering around the casino trying to find it."
from $49 - $69 / night
"We needed a place to camp for the night, and Parkway was in the right location. We booked through the Dyrt, but the campground's booking site was almost as easy. "
"We really appreciated the pool, the very friendly staff and clean restrooms."
"*pros: great little market, very nice staff, clean, great views *cons: rocky watch your step, especially at the beach and a long the shore."
"We’ve been to Collins Lake a few times and we love it! Lots of different camping spots and the lake is stocked with fish. Ice cream at the store is a must."
"There is swimming and fishing within walking distance. There were also plant of spots available."
"The beauty of a lovely camp like this is the interlude of serenity you experience, away from the busyness of our daily routines, rules, and limitations. It is a beautiful, clean camp."
"Ample drive thru rv sites that are shaded by huge trees and surrounded by spacious fields of grass. Lots of room between sites. Access to Sacramento River and hiking trails a short distance away."
"There are some sites with water and electric for $25 or $12.50 with pass. No sewer dump available. I did not use the showers or bathrooms. Quarters required for a hot shower."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $31 / night
"Ample sites, close to the NP, laundry, two restaurants on site, gift shop, etc"
"The people were friendly and the bathroom was super clean. I would stay here for tent camping too."
"It’s definitely a place I’ll put on my list to camp at again, especially when they figure out their electrical issues."
"WiFi is very very limited- drive to top of hill or lodge( very sporadic) Great Lake for swimming, fishing and small boats. Store on site. Clean swimming pool. Ideal for Tent or RV."
"Great location to hit all the tourist spots, this campground is right on the main road. Easy access to trail to more remote areas as well. When the campground is full, it is too busy for my tastes."
"These sites have a beautiful view of the lake. We get up early and set up our blanket and chairs in our lake spot."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
"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. "
"Nice distance between most sites."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $100 / night
ScoutOnly $16, not busy at all, extremely quiet even though I5 and town of Red Bluff is a mile or so away. Great federal lands spot just south of Mountains. Nice trails nearby alng river, and public boat launch with only one car in parking lot on a 77 degree Saturday. Beautifully shaded.
GuideThis place is glamping at its best! Ample sites, close to the NP, laundry, two restaurants on site, gift shop, etc
TravelerI used this RV park while roadtripping in a van. The people were friendly and the bathroom was super clean. I would stay here for tent camping too.
GuideGenerally if I'm getting a cabin and paying extra for it I would like it to have electric. They did have propane heat though which is nice. That aside, the location is great. $5 for shower access for the duration. Close walk to the lake. Lots of wildlife.
ScoutThis was a fairly nice campground in the sycamore grove. Mix of pull through and back in spots. Bathroom had showers that looked a bit old but did not use them. Bathroom door code was in the reservation receipt email. Fairly quiet and hosts were available and kind.
RangerVery nice 1970 style park most spots only has water and electricity. Section X is full hook ups and close to all amenities. Lots of deers and gray squirrels playing about the park. Nice beach area with rental boats. Restrooms and laundry areas in good shape. This is a nice area to camp.
TravelerSAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
TravelerSimply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.
I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
GuideWe’ve camped here every year for the past five years. This was the our first trip with our new to us travel trailer. We book six months in advance and always get sites B2 and B3. These sites have a beautiful view of the lake. We get up early and set up our blanket and chairs in our lake spot. The lake is big enough to paddle board and kayak but small enough where you can keep an eye on your kids the entire time.
Zero hook ups whatsoever, but you can use the dump station for free at Manzanita lake on your way up to fill your freshwater and then dump on your way out. Summit Lake North has flush toilets and sinks, I believe Summit Lake South Campground only has vault toilets.
Park Rangers patrol through every once in a while and the bathrooms are cleaned and stocked daily.
There is no cell service but if you drive about five minutes up the hill, you can get some service. It is a short drive to Kings Creek Falls and about a 15 minute drive to bumpass hell.
Highly recommended.
Traditional camping options surrounding Forest Ranch, California offer alternatives to luxury accommodations. Located near the southern edge of Lassen National Forest at 2,700 feet elevation, this area provides access to diverse camping experiences ranging from primitive sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Weather conditions vary significantly with seasons, creating distinct camping considerations throughout the year.
Fishing at Summit Lake: The shallow, pristine lake within Lassen Volcanic National Park sits at 7,000 feet elevation with opportunities for shore fishing. One camper noted, "We walked around the lake one evening and saw some interesting wild flowers" while staying at Summit Lake North — Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple hiking paths connect campgrounds to scenic areas. According to a visitor at Battle Creek Campground, "Lassen Park is just a short drive away," making it convenient to access additional trail networks beyond immediate camping areas.
Water activities: Collins Lake Recreation Area offers kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding on a well-maintained lake. A camper mentioned, "The lake is a refreshing sight and good fishing if you like to fish. We just like to camp and relax there with no agenda."
Casino entertainment: For those seeking evening activities, Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot provides entertainment options within walking distance. As one reviewer stated, "We all enjoyed a meal at the steak house. After we let mama gamble as my daughter and I enjoyed the arcade, then we switched."
Convenient highway access: Many campgrounds offer easy access from main routes without excessive noise. At The Parkway RV Resort & Campground, a visitor appreciated this balance: "It's super close to I5 and a few gas stations. Nice property with some grass to throw the tent on, none of the other residents were super loud."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. One camper at Lake of the Springs noted, "Each day a family of deer came thru our site and were so tame they ate fruit right out of the kids' hands."
Swimming options: Lakes in the region offer swimming during summer months. A visitor reported, "We spent practically the whole weekend in the lake. It was the perfect temperature to sit in for hours. No motorized water craft kept it quiet."
Food options: Several campgrounds feature on-site dining. A camper at The Village at Highlands Ranch appreciated this amenity, stating it has "An upper class restaurant and a bar so something for everyone."
Seasonal mosquito issues: Summit Lake experiences significant mosquito activity during summer months. A camper warned, "There's a beautiful view here, and a lot of peace and solitude—as long as you're willing to share the space with mosquitos!"
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Thousand Trails Lake of the Springs, a visitor noted, "No cell service in any of the loops and WiFi isn't great."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly during summer. A camper advised, "I called ahead and made sure they would be okay with me sleeping in my Outback. They said it would be okay as long as I had the gear to sleep outside in a tent as well."
Water availability: Some campgrounds require water treatment. At Battle Creek Campground, visitors reported, "You have to boil the water, so we brought plenty with us."
Lakeside accessibility: Collins Lake provides kid-friendly water access. A camper noted, "Great campsite big enough for a couple of tents. Nice clean site near lake. Hubby enjoyed fishing. Kids loved canoeing out onto the lake."
Educational opportunities: Battle Creek Campground offers learning activities for children. A visitor mentioned, "The beauty of a lovely camp like this is the interlude of serenity you experience, away from the busyness of our daily routines."
Playground availability: Some facilities offer recreational structures for children. One reviewer noted, "There wasn't a single day when some campsite didn't have electrical issues, in fact they turned a lot of their RV sites into Tent Sites because of electrical issues; no wood fires, propane is okay; at no fault to the site/staff, and all due to Covid precautions, there was no playground, boat rentals, etcetera."
Swimming safety: Lakes vary in depth and conditions. A visitor observed, "Totally awesome lake that's safely swimmable for kiddos that's also available for day-use."
Hookup options: Various campgrounds offer different levels of hookup services. At Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot, a reviewer explained, "Only $55 for a full hookup that's a pull through. $50 for Good Sam Members. We came in too late to enjoy the comedy shows they have every first Saturday."
Dump station hours: Pay attention to restricted hours for waste disposal. One camper cautioned, "Dump station: $10—only from 9am-5pm, although each site has sewer hookups."
Generator restrictions: Campgrounds maintain specific generator operation hours. A visitor at Summit Lake North observed, "Generator hours are a bit odd although the only time we needed it was briefly in the morning to fix meals."
Site sizes: Campgrounds accommodate varying RV lengths. A reviewer mentioned, "Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again. Lower numbered sites are closest to amenities."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Forest Ranch, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Forest Ranch, CA is Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Forest Ranch, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 glamping camping locations near Forest Ranch, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
