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.
"Found this unmapped camping spot by following a USFS access road to an old boat launch area."
"Graded dirt road a few miles from highway. Small camping area but not many people."
"Road side area, gravel surface. Step entry off road. Creek side good for stop over. State land."
"Even though it is a National Park the rangers allowed us to collect dead and down wood for the fire. They do not sell firewood in the park. Views were spectacular and so much to do and see."
"And we have T-Mobile and were able to make calls and text and access the internet."
"Free camping on national land off of Lava Beds National Monument Rd."
"There was greenery and living trees all around and it made for such a nicer environment. On Sunday, the area was completely silent, except for birds chirping."
"Coming in you drive a paved rd for 9 miles and then a well groomed dirt rd for 1/2 a mile. There’s 2 spots that would fit our 32’ 5th wheel. Not sure about further up this rd as we stopped here."
"Another one of these Dyrt campsites with zero info other than the location- thank you to whoever is adding these."
"I don’t know who’s adding these dispersed camping spots on The Dyrt (as there are no reviews or any additional info other than the location) but it’s much appreciated."
RangerFound this unmapped camping spot by following a USFS access road to an old boat launch area. Water is too low now to launch, but several fire rings, an older seasonally maintained pit toilet and minimal noise and light pollution made for a great stay. I am fully self contained.
LegendAfter checking out South Lava Beds and West Tionesta (so named on The Dyrt app) this was the winner for us. There was greenery and living trees all around and it made for such a nicer environment. On Sunday, the area was completely silent, except for birds chirping. One logging truck drove by, as well as one park ranger truck, otherwise we didn’t see anybody. However. On Monday morning all the trucks started rolling through. We left about 9 or 10am and maybe 10 trucks had gone by. And they're noisy. And the dirt they kick up is fine and silty, so it just floats around long after they've passed. Definitely a buzz kill! We were debating staying two nights, but the trucks convinced us to leave.
Good enough (not great) cell service for both Verizon and ATT. We actually didn’t need to use our levels for this spot, which is always a treat. Easy access for our 26ft class c and I believe bigger rigs would be ok here as well. No amenities here, obviously, so please pack out your trash.
ScoutGraded dirt road a few miles from highway. Small camping area but not many people.
LegendAnother one of these Dyrt campsites with zero info other than the location- thank you to whoever is adding these. This spot is a little further down the road from South Lava Beds, and would be fine, but we decided to keep going and find something a little less surrounded by blackened and burned trees and debris. There are piles of them everywhere, so I don’t know if workers come through here periodically- we didn’t see anybody when we were here on a Sunday. The area is still recovering from a 2020 fire
(Caldwell Fire, I believe).
Good cell reception, to our surprise. Our 26ft Class C had no problems reaching this spot, just take it slow once you leave the paved road. The dirt road is ok but there were a few dips and ruts that we had to go around. This would make a fine spot to stop over at, but it was a little too barren for us to want to stay here.
LegendI don’t know who’s adding these dispersed camping spots on The Dyrt (as there are no reviews or any additional info other than the location) but it’s much appreciated. We stopped to check this place out and would have stayed here for the night but decided to keep going and check out one more place first.
The location is easily accessed from the main road, no problems for our 26ft Class C. Cell service was surprisingly good for both Verizon and ATT. There’s a messy little fire pit here, but no other markers. The spot is off the road and has some sad blackened or dead trees surrounding it.
This area is still recovering from a big fire in 2020 and there are piles of burned logs and debris all over the area, giving it a desolate feel. The area is nice and quiet though, and very little traffic. Would make a great stop for a few days.
GuideGorgeous spot in the woods. So quiet, birds singing. Yes this area had fires but plenty of big beautiful pines remain and new life is springing up everywhere. Coming in you drive a paved rd for 9 miles and then a well groomed dirt rd for 1/2 a mile. There’s 2 spots that would fit our 32’ 5th wheel. Not sure about further up this rd as we stopped here. We are only spending 1 night I expected it to not be great. If I’d known it was so beautiful we would have scheduled in a 2nd day & gone to the Lava beds & caves 5 miles away. We had 2 bars Verizon so not great but Full bars on our T-Mobile Home so great internet, and full streaming.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Alturas, California, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy the freedom of choosing your own spot while taking in the stunning landscapes of Modoc National Forest and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping near Alturas, California?
Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Alturas. Tickner Rd offers beautiful wooded sites with singing birds and enough space for larger RVs (up to 32' fifth wheels). The area is accessible via 9 miles of paved road followed by a half-mile of well-maintained dirt road. Another popular option is South Lava Beds, which provides convenient pullouts for overnight stays. Many dispersed sites are located on national forest land and BLM territory surrounding Alturas, particularly toward Lava Beds National Monument.
Is there free overnight camping available in Alturas?
Yes, free overnight camping is readily available near Alturas. Duncan Reservoir South Site offers no-cost camping with established fire rings and a seasonally maintained pit toilet. It's accessible via a graded dirt road a few miles from the highway. Lava Beds National Monument Road also provides free dispersed camping with several spots featuring existing fire rings. These sites are suitable for larger RVs, with good Starlink visibility and cellular reception for those with T-Mobile service.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Alturas, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Alturas, CA is Duncan Reservoir South Site with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Alturas, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Alturas, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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