Best Dispersed Camping near Igo, CA

Dispersed camping near Igo, California centers primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, with several free primitive sites available within driving distance. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed area provides riverside camping opportunities along a creek, while Perry Riffle Trailhead offers another option with basic facilities. Additional dispersed sites can be found at North Trinity Lake, Olive Pit Dispersed Lot in Corning, and the North Manzanita area near Lassen Volcanic National Park. These areas typically allow both tent and RV camping without reservations or fees.

Access roads to dispersed sites vary considerably in quality and difficulty. Cline Gulch features gravel roads that may be dusty but generally passable without four-wheel drive, though some areas have low-hanging branches that could challenge larger vehicles. Many sites have no amenities such as water, toilets, or trash service. Perry Riffle Trailhead is an exception, providing pit toilets and trash collection with regular maintenance. Most areas enforce a 14-day camping limit within a 365-day period for the region. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, with complete bans in some locations during high fire danger periods.

The dispersed camping experience varies across sites. Cline Gulch offers secluded spots along the water. "My husband and I loved this place. It was super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed," noted one camper, though others mention finding trash and evidence of party sites. North Manzanita sites near Lassen provide forest camping with creek access. "We fell asleep to the sounds of the flowing water," reported a visitor. Wildlife sightings are common, with coyotes heard in some areas and bear activity reported near the Lassen sites. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, particularly at Cline Gulch where "there was no phone service at all until you get by the school."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Igo, California (9)

    1. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    15 miles

    "This site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there."

    "No amenities of any kind."

    2. Wild and Senic Trinity River Grapevine River Access Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    12 miles

    "Great location off 299. 5 miles from Big Flat"

    3. Perry Riffle Trailhead

    6 Reviews
    Red Bluff, CA
    24 miles

    "Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services."

    "This is just a gravel parking lot, but it's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river. Several horse and hiking trails start from here. There's a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling."

    4. North Trinity Lake

    4 Reviews
    Trinity Center, CA
    36 miles

    "This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."

    "- dispersed camping

    • no amenities
    • a beautiful open field with the woods in the back and Trinity lake in the front
    • you could camp in the open field or in the woods"

    5. Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    8 Reviews
    Corning, CA
    44 miles
    Website

    "PROS:

    + FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.

    + Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening!"

    "I was worried at 1stvas there was a situation that was happening when arrive. Police were there surveying which made me feel safe. It was quite through the night."

    6. 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 257-2151

    "We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park."

    "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"

    7. Mt. Shasta Area

    2 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    48 miles

    "Winter time really is its best time but beware and plan ahead, a lot of the camp sites are closed in that time of year!"

    "Shasta is breathtaking pictures can’t do it justice A place to experience lakes streams hiking camping boating snow sports water sports the great outdoors !!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Igo, CA

10 Photos of 9 Igo Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Igo, CA

35 Reviews of 9 Igo Campgrounds


  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Convenient location for boondocking

    PROS:

    + FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.

    + Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening! Signs say for Olive Pit Customers Only but we spent 2 nights here (along with a few other campers) and no one ever disturbed us.

    + Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs).

    + Huge lot with lots of available spots. Around 10 spots for larger trailers and RVs, and lots of small spots for campervans and car rooftop tent campers. We saw 4-5 other campers around us who mostly were very private and to themselves

    + Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket. The lot shares the same entrance as the Shell Station and Olive Pit Cafe & Store where you can conveniently pick up food/beer/supplies.

    + The Olive Pit has a great cafe and wine tasting room. They sell specialty items such as olives, balsamic vinegar, etc. And they have a great breakfast!

    + There is a giant dumpster for trash disposal behind the Olive Pit

    + There is also a pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves.

    + Lots of palm trees in the backdrop giving the place a very California vibe.

    CONS:

    + No tent camping, unless it's a car rooftop tent or a pop-up tent trailer

    + No fires/no showers/ no toilets (Although you can walk to the Shell Station to use their toilets which were super clean and well-maintained.)

    + Loud 24 hour carwash at the Shell station. Usually quiets down around 9 pm

    + Bright security lights in the parking lot. Just don't park directly under one. There are a few darker and less lit spots

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Ok for a parking lot

    The good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.

    The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.

    That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.

    It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.

    I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.

    Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management

  • Al L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Overnight @ Perry Riffle

    Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.

  • Salvatore F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2023

    31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    Great dispersed spot near Lassen Volcanic NP

    We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.

    Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.

    Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.

    Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.

  • Claire D.The Dyrt PRO User
    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!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2021

    Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    At Least It’s Free

    We thought this might be a nice place to stay the night or even longer, but next time if we need a place to sleep we’ll just find one of the turnouts off of Hwy 299. I could see this being a good place for people who live locally to come and hang out in nature by the creek for a few days, but this isn’t a place I’d recommend as a destination. There is so much dead brush and cut trees all over the place here, possibly from cleanup after a fire?  Would recommend larger rigs avoid this area due to the number of low hanging tree branches.

    Also, this is a popular shooting area because we saw a ton of ammunition casings as well as broken glass and clay pigeons and other items used for target practice. Oh, and we heard a bunch of gunshots in the middle of the night.

    Once you enter the BLM land area, you will cross a narrow one lane bridge. From there you can go left, through a narrow and brush and low-hanging-tree-limbed gravel road (larger rigs beware) to a small clearing at the end which is large enough for a group, but too small for more than one party to feel comfortable there. 

    If you turn right from the bridge you have a long road for a few miles along the creek. This road is at times narrow and bumpy with low hanging limbs, and at times wide and smooth and easy to drive. Along this road are several unmarked, undeveloped, and completely unmaintained clearings where you can camp. There are no fire pits or any other indication that it’s a camp site (which is a good thing because per the info board fires aren't allowed). We did pass one trailer that appears to be residing here permanently. 

    The public road eventually dead ends about 2 miles in and turns into private property, at which point there’s a large-ish space where you can turn around. 

    Zero cell service, though the WeBoost gave the Verizon phone a couple of weak bars. The T-Mobile hotspot and the ATT cell phone were not improved by the WeBoost.

  • George B.
    Jun. 19, 2018

    Mt. Shasta Area

    A mountain that soars above

    Mt. Shasta is a place that’s beautiful from every angle. If you’re on the road or on the mountain all it does is takes your breath away.

    Stay where it’s more comfortable for you but at least go and stay and see this beauty!

    Winter time really is its best time but beware and plan ahead, a lot of the camp sites are closed in that time of year!

  • Ryan Z.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    North Trinity Lake

    Not accessible

    The coordinates and GPS lead to a random part of the highway surrounded by hills. Not real or inaccessible in vehicle, lake may be dried up.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2020

    North Trinity Lake

    Gorgeous Lakeside Camping

    This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities.


Guide to Igo

Dispersed camping near Igo, California, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors while exploring the beauty of the region.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Igo, California

  • Many spots, like Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed, allow campfires and pets, making it a great choice for families and those looking to enjoy a cozy evening under the stars.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, North Trinity Lake offers no facilities, so bring everything you need for a comfortable stay.
  • Always check for accessibility; some areas, such as Perry Riffle Trailhead, are drive-in but may have rough roads, so a suitable vehicle is recommended.

Dispersed campers should check out Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

  • This location features a mix of scenic spots, but be aware that some areas may have signs of previous use, as noted in reviews mentioning local party zones.
  • The proximity to water is a highlight, with some sites offering a lovely creek nearby, perfect for cooling off during hot days.
  • While it can be a bit crowded at times, the variety of spaces means you can often find a quieter spot to set up camp.

Enjoy nature while free camping near Igo

  • The Mt. Shasta Area is perfect for those who appreciate breathtaking views and a range of outdoor activities, from hiking to boating.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, Gumboot Campground offers a serene environment, although it currently has no reviews to gauge its popularity.
  • For a unique experience, consider the Olive Pit Dispersed Lot, which combines camping with access to a local market, making it convenient for stocking up on supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Igo, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Igo, CA is Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed with a 3.4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Igo, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Igo, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.