Best Tent Camping near Forest Ranch, CA

Recent Tent Reviews in Forest Ranch

360 Reviews of 39 Forest Ranch Campgrounds

• 

  Alex H.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Volcanic Country Camping & RV

  Shower Code

  Men’s shower code is 9271 as of 10/10/24 for all you stinky campers (myself included)

• N

  Nikolaj A.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 26, 2024

  The Village at Highlands Ranch

  Perfect spot

  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

• 

  Patricia N.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 26, 2024

  Grizzly Creek Campground

  Nestled in the trees

  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.

• 

  Patricia N.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 24, 2024

  Plumas National Forest Sly Creek Campground

  South Feather and Power water company campground

  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.

• 

  Patricia N.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 24, 2024

  Ponderosa Flat Campground

  PGE campground

  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.

• 

  Michael B.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 16, 2024

  Running Deer Campground

  Lake side

  Great spaces next to lake. No cell service. Lots of places to enjoy on the shoreline.

• 

  Claire D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 3, 2024

  31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

  Convenient dispersed site near Lassen

  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!

• 

  Denise G.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 23, 2024

  Parkway RV Resort & Campground

  Stopover served its purpose well

  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.

• a

  addison G.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 6, 2024

  Haskins Valley Campground

  Nice, easy access to lake

  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.

• D

  Darrin S.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 29, 2024

  Quail Ridge RV Park

  Serene RV Trailer Park?

  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!

• 

  Sharon B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2024

  Collins Lake Recreation Area

  Lakeside

  *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.

• R

  Ray B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 17, 2024

  Cool Springs Campground

  Secret Place Near Lake Almanor

  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.

• R

  Robert N.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 13, 2024

  Summit Lake South — Lassen Volcanic National Park

  Reserve first Check level if you camp in van or rv

  Beautiful lake. Great campsites. Cannot pay at site.

• R

  Robert N.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 13, 2024

  Christie Hill Basecamp

  Dispersed camping

  No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 7, 2024

  Orland Buttes

  2nd review, by me!

  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:

  • The showers were fine this time, not gross
  • There was no host on site
  • The water fill station at the dump station was functional and we filled our tanks no problem

  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!

• 

  Kurt T.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 24, 2024

  Almanor

  North is open, South is closed for Summer 2024

  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.

• E

  Elaine S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 20, 2024

  31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

  Exactly what we needed

  About 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.

• 

  Brian and Janet S.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 20, 2024

  Volcanic Country Camping & RV

  Close to Lassen NP - time capsule!

  This 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.

• 

  Stacy L.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 15, 2024

  Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park

  Busy campground!

  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.

• 

  Stacy L.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 15, 2024

  Butte Meadows Campground

  Great location near Chico

  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.

• P

  Paul T.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

  Very much a Nike camp area, "Just Do It

  Immediately 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

• P

  Paul T.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 2, 2024

  Volcanic Country Camping & RV

  I didn't stay, owner seemed curt

  Phone call found staff unhelpful and $35 night 1 x person, small 22 ft rig

• T

  Tanner P.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 1, 2024

  Buckhorn Recreation Area

  Spacious, Good views

  We just spent one night in sight 6 with our 24’ camper and we had a good experience. Didn’t really have neighbors too close and had a great view of the lake. It only took a couple minutes to get down to the water, however, there aren’t a lot of places to sit and relax for the day (i.e. not many beach spots) close by. The site itself was mostly level side to side but our back stabilizers were nearly fully extended (with blocks) and the front ones we barely had to put out. The water spigot is close-by but in an awkward spot where other folks were skirting the boundary of our campsite to get to. It’s close to the bathrooms/showers which we didn’t use much, they were mostly clean but were inundated with insects. Note: there were LOTS of bugs everywhere when in late May and early June.

• 

  pdurkee@fastmail.fm

  Scout

  

  Jan. 10, 2024

  Heritage RV Park

  Great place very quiet

  Quiet great people everything g bear buy. Walked to bakery and the Olive Pit store and Restaurant

• 

  zachary L.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 25, 2023

  Bidwell Canyon Campground — Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

  Lovley camp grounds

  Super clean camp grounds, with an amazing view when near the water

• 

  Jake C.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 1, 2023

  Island Warriors

  Stay Away from the Crowds at Island Warriors

  Jake from the Dyrt here! Island Warriors is a great alternative to crowded campgrounds in the area. Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 25, 2023

  Manzanita Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park

  Campground - Meh; Lassen - Gorgeous!

  General: Four loops plus a cabin loop, however, after September 5 at noon, the only loops open are A, B, and cabins. 

  Site Quality: Some pull-throughs and some back-in. The back-in sites were, for the most part, better suited for tent camping as the camper pads were quite short and many were not level. We lucked out in that our camper pad was only slightly unlevel and we could make it work with our camper van. Some sites were close together with minimal separation while others had more trees separating them. 

  Bath/Shower house: There were several toilet options ranging from vault toilets to basic bathrooms with flush toilets, to larger restrooms with dishwashing sinks. Although there was a soap dispenser in the two closest to our site, there was no soap. The very cold water was oh-so refreshing on a cold September morning! The dishwashing sink in the A loop was locked but we did see campers using the one in the B Loop.

  Activities/Amenities: There is a camper store with food, showers, gas, and laundry available. You can access both Manzanita and Reflection Lakes (1.5 and.5 miles respectively) from the campground. The Chaos Crags trailhead is approximately a half mile from the A Loop. There are kayak, cataraft, and SUP rentals available for Manzanita Lake but it was a bit chilly when we were there. There is zero cell service in the campground but it is noted there is a milepost where you can grab a signal. On our Chaos Crags hike, however, we got a strong signal on Verizon!

  The campground was okay but worth it as a base camp for exploring the northwest part of the park. Happy this one has not been outsourced to a vendor and the price is still reasonable ($26 or$13 with the senior pass).