218 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cassel, California provides access to several established campgrounds nestled along rivers and lakes in Shasta County. Campgrounds like Pit River Campground and Cassel Campground offer tent and RV sites in forest settings near water features. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles northeast of Cassel, provides developed camping with cabin options, while Dusty Campground offers more rustic tent camping directly on Lake Britton. The region includes a mix of PG&E, BLM, and state park managed properties, with most offering basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets.
Camping in the Cassel area follows seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter conditions limit accessibility at higher elevations, while summer brings higher temperatures and increased visitor traffic. Most campgrounds feature gravel or dirt access roads of varying quality, with some sites requiring reservation and others operating on a first-come, first-served basis. The proximity to water bodies creates microclimate effects, particularly around Lake Britton and the Pit River. A camper described the conditions at Pit River Campground as "beautiful campsite, usually pretty empty on weekdays. We went in late May and it's lovely, across our campsite was the river which was also gorgeous. Super green."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with Lake Britton providing swimming and boating opportunities. Pit River sites receive consistently positive reviews for their fishing access and relative solitude. Several visitors noted the scenic value of camping near Burney Falls, considered one of the region's natural highlights. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the mix of developed amenities at larger campgrounds and the simpler experience at smaller sites. Proximity to attractions like the railroad bridge featured in the movie "Stand By Me" adds cultural interest to the natural setting. Visitors should note that some areas experience significant mosquito activity during warmer months, particularly at sites directly adjacent to water features.
"This is one of my favorite campsites in California. There all the falls, which are beautiful, the lake for swimming and water sports and lots of hiking trails."
"Lake to swim and boat in, waterfall short walk, General store with everything you can imagine and firewood, close by a town where you can eat out."
from $35 - $70 / night
Check Availability"LOTS of poison oak surrounding area. Easy walk to a scenic river."
"8 camp spots sites are super close to the river. Great fishing, swimming lagoon, picnic tables, fire rings ( no fires right now ), vault toilets, and quiet."
from $6 - $12 / night
Check Availability"This campground is situated on the north shore of Lake Britton, CA. directly across the lake from the McArthur-Burney Falls campground."
"There is also a north campground called northshore on Lake Britton. This is a review of the very small but great Dusty Campground. on the south eastern side of the lake. "
"I live here in cassel and the fishing hear is just plain awesome, campground is real clean and everything you need is in burney and a great sporting goods store packed with your fishing gear, fly fishing"
"I stayed at Cassel with a group from my fly fishing club. It is old, but has everything one needs and was quiet. I stayed over Sunday night after club left and it was really nice. "
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Great location on the way to many points north along with an excellent morning or evening adventure to the falls. Camp Host (owner/operator?) is awesome and worth the stay alone."
"The drives in the area are absolutely gorgeous!"
"Right next to the lake with a little beach available. A favored local spot."
from $16 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Get out there and get your social distancing on folks!! Cheers!"
"We took an eight-day tour through Northern California and this was our first leg. Tent-camped three nights."
"California Hidden gems."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"Our parking spot is big enough for our travel trailer, right next to the creek. Clean, quiet, safe. No traffic. But No cell service."
"Right next to the creek and big spots! Our motorhome drove down here just fine. Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast. Quiet and safe and lots of shade."
TravelerEasy to find if you are looking. Gravel road off of the main paved road. Not recommended for truck and trailer, but almost any car or truck can handle the rough entry, just go slow. There are a few gravel areas to park in if you look for them. Beautiful spot, quiet at night.
TravelerThe forest road is super accessible with a bunch of different spots to choose from as you traverse down the road. There are some fire rings in some of the spots. No water, bathroom, etc. Road is fairly well maintained but drive with caution if no 4WD or AWD and low clearance. Only 3.5 miles from the entrance so it’s a perfect place to stay before or after going through Lassen NP.
TravelerThis is a nice dry campground. There is a water source but I’d recommend bringing your own supply. It was almost full on a Wednesday night
GuideGot some trees. For shade. Ai wouldn’t advise anything over 26 feet long. Tight turns and narrow.
GuideThis place was easy to find. Spots are tight but we found one spot where we could fit our camper truck. It took some finagling but we got the truck turned around in the spot. I would not recommend a trailer here. Not a lot of room to turn around.
ScoutWe bypassed the sites that were immediately to the right off FR17 (Mineral Rd) to see if there were others up the road. There is one cute site right near the creek but directly on the road so a lot of dust if you stayed there. We continued past 20W and came around the corner to an amazing multi site area! Easily could have had 3 or 4 rigs in here and indeed, there were 4 campfire rings. And no one there! We had it all to ourselves (Tue-Wed-Thu) and were able to easily get to Manzanita Lake and into Lassen. Don't let the piles of logging debris fool you - just go past it!
GuideThis is a campground that has great potential and Jason the manager is working hard to get it that way.
Full hook up site with great view. Looks like there are 2 nice playgrounds, a softball field, horse shoes and hiking trails, much more that I didn't get the chance to check out.
Jason was a great help to me, I'm on a trip back to Michigan and my last stop a portion of the bottom cover/liner fell off. (the dealer had cut a large square out to work on it.) Jason got it back on better than the dealer would have, tied up some wires that were hanging. He did a great job for a reasonable price. Thanks Jason
I highly recommend this campground; just keep in mind it is a work in restoring progress.
Also even though it was in the 90's I had a great, shaded spot and could sit outside the breeze made it comfortable.
RangerThe campground is tucked into the Forrest. You have full hookups and a fairly level place to park in the dirt amongst the trees. It’s a bit of a distance to an absolutely beautiful lake with the view of Mount Shasta. There are tons of amenities, including a store, restaurant, marina, boat rentals, bait shop, beach. The water is a nice swimming temperature. interesting to be someplace where campfires are allowed in August in California.
ScoutI stayed at Cassel with a group from my fly fishing club. It is old, but has everything one needs and was quiet. I stayed over Sunday night after club left and it was really nice. The sites are large and private. I can't speak to the bathrooms as I only used my own in my trailer. I wish the campground had a dump station. There is one a few miles away in Old Station. Camp hosts were pleasant and helpful.
The Cassel area of northeastern Shasta County sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation near the junction of Hat Creek and Pit River. The volcanic terrain creates a microclimate with relatively mild summers but significant temperature drops at night, even during peak camping season. Most campgrounds around Cassel operate on limited seasonal schedules, with the majority closing between late October and mid-April due to winter conditions.
Fishing access: Pit River Campground has prime fishing spots along the water. A camper noted, "We went in late May and it's lovely, across our campsite was the river which was also gorgeous." The camp host provides free firewood and fishing information about the area.
Swimming at Lake Britton: Northshore Campground has a designated swimming area with beach access. A visitor mentioned, "Beautiful spot right on the lake. Mosquitos and bees so bring bug spray." The campground features coin-operated showers ($1 bills only) and fire pits.
Hiking trails: Lassen RV Resort offers several marked trails through wooded areas. A reviewer shared, "There are lots of trails I can take my dog for walks. Couple of the trails takes you to a cliff where you can sit and watch the sunset." Many trails provide shade during hot summer days.
Easy lake access: Dusty Campground sits directly on Lake Britton with sites just 20 feet from the water. A camper explained, "The lake is maybe 20 feet from the site which is perfect for boat access and the lake britton is my favorite i've ever been to." The proximity allows for early morning and evening water activities.
Clean facilities: Cassel Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities despite its rustic setting. One visitor reported, "Good road to get there off 299, easy to find PG&E campground. All sites first come first serve only. No res. Bear boxes present tho would not be bear proof. Clean pit toilets. Good water."
Fall colors: For campers visiting in autumn, the deciduous trees around lake shores create vibrant displays. A camper at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground noted, "We've been in July and late fall and both times were spectacular." Fall camping offers fewer crowds but requires warmer sleeping gear.
Dust conditions: Many campgrounds in the area have significant dust issues. A reviewer at Northshore Campground warned, "The roads were paved unlike dusty but the campgrounds were just as dusty as dusty campground. Be prepared for everything to be covered from head to toe."
First-come sites: Several campgrounds operate without reservations. At Pit River Campground, a visitor shared, "On a Monday afternoon in June there were several sites available but it mostly filled up by evening." Arriving mid-week significantly improves chances of securing a site.
Mosquito management: Insect activity increases near water, especially at dawn and dusk. One camper at Burney Falls Resort recommended, "Camp Host (owner/operator?) is awesome and worth the stay alone. Sites are a bit tight so might not be the solitude you'd want to a multi day stay."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cassel, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cassel, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 218 campgrounds and RV parks near Cassel, CA and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cassel, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cassel, CA is McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cassel, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Cassel, CA.
What parks are near Cassel, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Cassel, CA that allow camping, notably Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest.
Keep Exploring
