Tent campers in the French Gulch area of northern California find several primitive camping options within the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. Crystal Creek Primitive Campground and Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground offer dedicated tent sites in wooded settings near water features. Sheep Camp Primitive Campground provides four tent-only sites alongside a small stream, creating natural white noise for sleeping.
Most primitive tent sites include basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-resistant food lockers. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though drinking water is limited or non-existent. During high fire danger periods, fire bans may be in effect across the region. Access roads to many tent campgrounds are narrow dirt or gravel surfaces that may challenge low-clearance vehicles. As one visitor to Peltier Bridge noted, "Sites are nicely spread apart with #8 and #9 being the best that were open. Not RV accessible, tent sites only."
Walk-in tent camping opportunities exist at Mary Smith Campground near Weaverville, where sites are positioned on sloped terrain requiring a short hike from parking areas. The extra effort rewards campers with elevated views of Lewiston Lake. According to one camper, "The views are incredible as the sun is rising, peaking through the mountains glistening over the lake." Tent sites at higher elevations typically offer more solitude and cooler temperatures during summer months. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region's tent campgrounds, with reports of bears investigating campsites at night, particularly at Crystal Creek. Campers should properly store food in provided bear boxes. Jones Valley Inlet Shoreline Campground provides lakeside tent sites with limited privacy but convenient water access for paddling and swimming activities.
$20 / night
"Bear boxes. Pit toilets at entry, 200 meters from Campsite 9. River view but access a challenge through brush or steep grade."
"There's nice hiking around, clean bathrooms. There's a lot of tree cover, so bad for solar or satellite. Road to get there is dirt road, but we'll maintained."
"Luckily the weather was so amazing especially being right next to this beautiful clear clean lake. We stayed at site 14, across from us was a small path that lead you down to the water."
"Did the normal tent camping which is nice at the upper campsites, got a paddle board and pretty much had the whole lake to ourselves"
$20 / night
"I was looking for a primitive campsite that was quiet and secluded. This fit the bill 100%. I hammock camp, using a stand when trees aren't available, and I am completely self contained."
$20 / night
"This site has only 4 camping sites, all for tents only. There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to."
"Some decently shaded areas as well."
"I really love this small campground, especially this year when the lake is full. There's only 10-12 sites, bathrooms are clean. very quiet."
$80 / night
"The drive in could be a challenge for an RV, so I'd caution anyone to check it out first, before pulling a trailer in. They have pit toilets and fire-rings in most sites. "
"Advanced hiking 3k-6k summit peek, beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky."
"It’s quiet and if it just rained there is the sound of waterfalls around there. If the spots are filled up, there is another flat area to camp without a table."
TravelerAs of May 2019, the camp was closed to the public due to safety hazards. Otherwise, it's an ok site. Bear boxes, composting toilet, trash bins, picnic table, and a fire ring. There's a trail that leads down to the creek.
ScoutThis site has only 4 camping sites, all for tents only. There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to. We were camping in mid-October and the only ones here. There’s a fire ban in place so we couldn’t have a fire, but there’s a nice size fire ring for anytime the ban is lifted. Picnic tables and lantern hooks, along with bear lockers make it safe and cozy. We loved camping here with our two pups.
GuideVery glad I got the site I did(SC10). The shoreline sites allow you your own little spot on the lake, although some seemed better then others. Site was sloped and uneven but did have a couple flat spots for tents. Not a ton of shade but what little shade it did have was next to tent flats. Table, fire and bear box were in full sun all day which makes afternoon food prep on a hot day a bit brutal. You do get some noise from the 299 at night. The walk in and out to the parking is a bit steep and further then other sites but it does mean you get a little more privacy. I was there to kayak fish for the weekend and the site was perfect for that. My guess is the place becomes a madhouse in the summertime and the non shoreline sites are pretty close together. I personally wouldn’t stay in a non shoreline site here, but that’s me. The lake is beautiful and there’s a beach at the campground, though really hot in the summer. I would give site SC10 4-stars but the campground overall 3-stars.
GuideThe spot I was in was small and nestled in a grove of aspen trees. The bear locker was well maintained and the fire ring was double walled. There were flush toilets with working lights and the tent pad was level.
Its a short drive to some great hikes, but the campground itself was too busy and too close to the highway to use as a good starting point.
TravelerWe camped in Oak Bottom in October when the days were hot and the evenings were cool. Because it's the shoulder season, their were fewer people there, which allowed us to have more space... no one in adjacent sites. However, if you are there during the high season, you will be crammed on top of one another. The only reason to tolerate that would be the close access to water. Again, because we were there during the late season, the water was low enough that it took some strategizing to get down there to get our SUPs in the water. Once we were in, it was perfect... cold and plenty deep. Oak Bottom is a tent only site, which is also a positive in my book. No generators or other vehicle sounds. The others in our area were also very quiet... no annoying music or loud voices during quiet hours. But, of course, that can't be guaranteed and I'm sure is different when the sites are filled since they are so VERY close together. Overall, I would recommend camping at Oak Bottom. If you're going during the busy season and you can afford it, reserve two spots!
RangerThe camp ground was beautiful. Pretty close to the water, however, this year summer 2021 the water is very low. The camp ground offers bathrooms, bear boxes, very nice fire rings and clean water. There is no camp host so bring your own wood. The fee is $25 a night. The trash cans were over flowed and there was bags of trash outside of the garbage. Please don’t do this)-:
Weird vibes: when we pulled up there was only one other truck there. They were two people yelling at each other pretty loud so that was kinda awkward but, nothing crazy. Then we set up our tent and other car came to the spot next to ours and checked the bear box and was walking around the spot. They moved parked at another spot and did the same thing. I’m not sure if they left something or what was going on but, they just walked around to each site checking the bear box’s??
Not sure if I would return unless more people were there because I felt uncomfortable leaving my tent and things there unattended.
RangerThis is our second time camping in this campground. It’s out of the way and pretty remote, but quiet and peaceful. There are no hookups, but there is drinking water provided as well as vault toilets (which were pretty darn clean), and a bear proof trash can. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Generator use is allowed from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Last year in July when we visited there were maybe 3 other people here. This time in October (late in the season), we were the only ones here. The fee is $10.00 a night, or $5.00 with the pass/senior discount. There is ZERO cell service with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. We did have Starlink with us and we were able to get signal, but it was spotty due to all the tree coverage. Trail Creek runs through the back of the campground and is beautiful!
GuideNice well shaded campground, some sites enjoy lake views although Trinity Lake is very low at this point. Site 67 is a nice size, lots of space between adjacent sites. Two tent flats, table and fire ring. Some sites have bear boxes, 67 does not. Close but not too close to the bathroom. Camp host was friendly. Easy walk/ drive to the lake. I would check site map and reviews if possible, some sites looked very small and unappealing while others were very spacious.(67) No firewood for sale on site. Overall campground was nice and site 67 in particular was very good. 3.5 Stars.
ScoutMy friends and I stopped here for a night before we go camping in the backcountry and it was great! Has a little fire pit, bear box and nice flat spots to put your tent.
Tent camping options near French Gulch, California center around the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. This mountainous region features a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Water levels at lake-adjacent campsites fluctuate seasonally, with higher water typically from April through July.
Boating on Lewiston Lake: Access the calm waters at Mary Smith Campground where motorized boats are limited. "We took tubes out and laid in the water and soaked up the sun, it was so nice. It's especially so calming because there isn't a million boats on the lake partying and such it's just quiet and calm water," reports one camper.
Fishing nearby creeks: Fish for trout in the waters near Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground which offers creek access. "We stayed at site 6, nice little spot next to the water," shares a camper who spent three days at the site.
Hiking local trails: Several trails start near Deerlick Springs Campground with elevation gains between 3,000-6,000 feet. "Advanced hiking 3k-6k summit peek, beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky," notes one hiker who camped there.
Creek sounds for sleeping: Many campers appreciate the natural white noise at stream-adjacent sites. At Sheep Camp Primitive Campground, "There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to," according to a camper who visited in mid-October.
Site spacing and privacy: Campers frequently mention the well-spaced sites at Peltier Bridge. "Sites are nicely spread apart with #8 and #9 being the best that were open," reports one visitor. Another notes, "Each spot was decent. #6, 8, and 9 probably your best bets if they are open."
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation sites offer relief from summer heat. At Peltier Bridge, one camper shared, "It was really hot during the day like 90s but site #9 is shady and the river is freezing so it's easy to stay cool. Gets pretty cold at night."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active throughout the area. At Crystal Creek Primitive Campground, one camper reported, "About 3am something woke me up sniffing around my hammock. I was not able to see it without moving, but it bumped me and was large enough to make the hammock sway."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds have rough access roads. At Peltier Bridge, "There's a small narrow dirt road, but easily doable even in a loaded down sedan," according to one visitor who noted you can only purchase passes online ahead of time.
Seasonal closures: The best tent camping near French Gulch, California typically runs from April through October, with some sites open year-round. Several campgrounds including Dry Creek Group Campground close during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near French Gulch, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near French Gulch, CA is Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near French Gulch, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 55 tent camping locations near French Gulch, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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