Are you in need of a campground near Alturas, CA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Alturas, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"Inexpensive free shower and had access to do laundry. Worked well for our camper van.
Close to the wild refuge. Walked the 3 mile loop before heading out of town."
$60 / night
"Camp Freedom has a prime location for those who enjoy the outdoors, check out the list of nearby activities to do during your stay! Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"
$15 / night
"No hookups but there’s water around the campsites and picnic tables and fire pits. Excellent little campground with maybe a dozen or so sites. Clean & well maintained."
"Other than the snow the road was in good condition and easy to drive in our class c."
"Stream & Obsidian Mine nearby."
"Lots to do nearby mostly obsidian collection and fishing. Make sure if you are wanting to collect you get a free permit in town before heading out."
"One person was here to walk her dogs for a bit but otherwise we had the whole place to ourselves."
"Tucked away, this place was great! We didn’t have too many people there but it was a gorgeous sight!"
"This campground is not far from the highway, on a nicely maintained gravel road. Some private homes not too far from the grounds. There were about 10 sites here, each had fire pit."
$30 / night
"Rainbow pond was a great place to walk to from the campground. I really enjoyed my time setting up a hammock and enjoying the scenery."
ScoutThis was a lovely spot next to a small creek, and several sites had access to it. We towed a 18ft travel trailer and found lots of spaces it would fit, though I wouldn't recommend anything longer than about 25 feet. The restrooms were clean and stocked and several sites had stone stoves as well as fire rings. We used our GPS vs Google maps, had no problem finding the campground. It was secluded and had plenty of shade. We only stayed one night traveling through, but would definitely stay again.
RangerWe came here on a recon trip to see if our 26' fifth wheel toyhauler would fit in the spots and the condition of the road to reach this place.
We found this to be a very nice and under used campground. There was one other camper here, spoke to them and they stated they have been the only campers in the week they spent.
The road was well maintained and smooth. We will certainly come back to visit with the toyhauler and RZR. Many FS roads to explorer here.
There are allegedly 12 sites here, we were hard pressed to find them. the main area is graveled with 3 sites, the area to the north is dirt and we saw 4 sites.
Based on the other review we expected to see wild horses and didn't see any or evidence of them either.
RangerDue to the remote location, be prepared to have everything you need before heading there.
Co Rd 502 is narrow but paved (Mail Rte Rd). 12 miles
Co Rd 506 Tuledad Rd is dirt, unimproved and has some washboard areas. Drive slow and you will be ready for the culvert crossing that have washed out a bit but at high speed can cause damage to your vehicle. 11 miles
Driving slow is needed for several reasons. 1. to avoid hitting poor road areas too fast and damaging your rig. 2. to spot and take pictures of wildlife 3. Basic respect to keep road from degrading further.
We did not come across another person while driving in or out or during our stay at the campground.
Tables in each site and fire rings, clean from trash. Vault toilets were also clean.
Reservoir was down but still had enough water for the birds to enjoy.
Excellent for night sky viewing.
We have a 26' toy hauler fifth wheel, it has high ground clearance and upgraded suspension so we would had no difficulty with the road, when we come back with it. This was just a recon trip.
Downside: this is surrounded by public land, Dodge Ranch so you can't explorer off the road. Makes the use limited to light weight boat, kayak or paddle board. If you like to just go to camp, sit and relax, the you can certainly do that.
Advantage: Evidence of lots of wildlife, we saw pronghorn antelope on the way, a couple of foxes and plenty of birds of prey. No people
RangerWe did not camp because we were doing a campground recon. There were 3 of the 8 sites that we could park our 26' fifth wheel trailer.
During our visit there was only one family using the facility. It is a small campground, vault toilets and was clean when we were there.
We plan to come back in the future. We visited on a Sunday afternoon.
TravelerI was only going to stay 3 nights and i have extended for 7 night. Great owner ! Wide open sites. 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. Clean sites and campground. Washers and dryers. This one of my favorite campground. Beautiful ride in. I will be back. Internet good.
GuideNice quick pull in campground while traveling. Campground right next to highway. Campground was deserted on a weekend and it didn’t look like anyone has been here very clean.
ScoutFree camping on national land off of Lava Beds National Monument Rd. There are many pulloffs down this road, I was going to go to the spot next to here that others logged, but there was a van there and it was dark so I didn’t want to wake them up by trying to search for a site next to them. so I figured I’d go down the road and see if there were more secluded spots. There was! This was great, I barely heard any cars pass by. the flies and bees are plentiful but nothing I couldn’t handle, and I don’t like bugs lol. Fire ring available. 10/10 basic stopover spot that’s 20 mins from the Lava Beds Visitor Center !!! oh and Tmobile service actually worked great for once, I was even able to take a video meeting here in the morning! Coolest zoom background ever.
ScoutPlum creek is a well maintained forest service campground on Davis creek. Quiet, serene forest setting, good overnight stop coming south on hwy 395.
TravelerSmall campground with 10 or so sites. 6 of them are drive up, and there are 4 tent only sites that you have to cross a small bridge to get to. We walked around back there, and you can tell these barely ever get used. Site #5 fit our 22 foot travel trailer and truck really well. The loop around is tight, but you could probably get through with a 24 or 25 foot trailer if you were careful. I wouldn't try anything bigger than that though.
This was a decent (and free!) place to spend a night if you are traveling through, but probably not worth it to spend more than a day. We came on a Friday afternoon in mid July and had the whole place to ourselves. By that night we had one neighbor, so it is definitely quite, and even during the busiest times you will probably get a spot no problem.
The creek is small, and access is somewhat hard to get to since it has steep sides on a lot of it. There are quite a few ticks that like the grass near the waters edge too. We were careful and still ended up pulling a few off that night, so use caution. Didn't notice any hanging around the campsites themselves.
Also, you are within sight of several properties and houses right next to the campground, so it doesn't really feel all that remote or private. Someone ended up cruising up and down the road in the middle of the night with loud engines, and it kept us awake, so all and all wasn't a super pleasant camping experience, but if all you need is a quick overnight spot it would do the trick.
Camping near Alturas, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and peaceful retreats. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot by a creek or a family-friendly campground, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Alturas, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just be sure to plan ahead and know what to expect!
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Alturas camping facilities?
Camping facilities around Alturas range from primitive to full-service. Likely Place RV and Golf Resort offers comprehensive amenities including hookups, golfing opportunities, and well-maintained facilities. Sully's RV Park provides affordable rates with free showers and laundry access, making it perfect for camper vans. Many public campgrounds like Dodge Reservoir feature basic amenities such as maintained campsites, picnic tables, and fire rings. Public facilities typically include vault toilets that are maintained during drier months. Most dispersed camping areas like Lesson Trail Marker Road Side Stop provide minimal amenities, offering just a gravel surface near creeks or water features. Cell service is limited or non-existent at remote sites, so plan accordingly.
Where are the best campgrounds near Alturas, CA?
The Alturas area offers diverse camping experiences for all preferences. Cave Lake Campground provides a secluded experience with stunning mountain views, crystal-clear water for swimming and fishing, and basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables. Howards Gulch Campground offers a convenient stopover location when traveling between California and Oregon. Other notable options include Stough Reservoir Campground with its peaceful lakeside setting, Dodge Reservoir Campground for boondocking enthusiasts, and Lassen Creek Campground with dispersed camping opportunities. For those seeking more amenities, Big Sage Campground and Plum Valley Campground provide toilet facilities in natural settings just a short drive from Alturas.
When is the best season for camping in the Alturas region?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the most reliable camping conditions in the Alturas region. During summer months, Goose Lake State Recreation Area provides access to recreational activities, though water levels can vary seasonally. At Stough Reservoir Campground, campers should check for seasonal fire restrictions which typically tighten during the dry late summer months. Winter camping is generally not recommended due to cold temperatures and potential road access issues, particularly at higher elevations. Spring brings beautiful scenery but can be unpredictable with rain and mud, especially on dirt access roads. Fall offers comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, making it ideal for those seeking solitude, though nights can be chilly.
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