The Klamath National Forest area features diverse camping options ranging from primitive sites to fully-equipped RV parks. Kangaroo Lake Campground provides tent and RV sites in a scenic mountain setting, while Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers cabin camping and glamping opportunities. Several small, rustic Forest Service campgrounds like Trail Creek and Scott Mountain accommodate tent and small trailer camping with minimal amenities. Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday provides year-round access to cabin accommodations with full hookups for those seeking more developed facilities.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with several campgrounds requiring travel on rough forest roads. Access to Kangaroo Lake involves "a 7-mile-long winding access road that is narrow with a sharp drop-off on one side," according to one visitor. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with higher elevation sites like Scott Mountain and Kangaroo Lake closing during winter months due to snow. Cell phone coverage is limited or nonexistent at many remote campgrounds, particularly in the Trinity Alps area. Visitors should note that drinking water is unavailable at several primitive sites including Horse Flat and Scott Mountain campgrounds, requiring campers to bring their own water supplies.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Klamath National Forest region. Trail Creek Campground features a creek running through the back of the property, described by one camper as "beautiful, serene, and peaceful." Several reviews mention the pristine nature of mountain lakes like Toad Lake, which requires a challenging drive and short hike to access. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with one visitor to Kangaroo Lake reporting sharing the lake with bald eagles. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, and many areas have bear activity requiring proper food storage. Campers note that toilet facilities at most Forest Service sites are vault toilets that are generally well-maintained, while showers are only available at more developed campgrounds like Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort and Mount Shasta KOA.
"Most of the campsites have nice views of the mountains that surround the lake. Some walk-in campsites are located close to the lake. "
"There is a paved path way from the campground/parking lot to the lake. The path leads to a fishing ramp that has a short wall that is right next to the lake. There is also a small "beach.""
"The campground is tucked into the Forrest. You have full hookups and a fairly level place to park in the dirt amongst the trees."
"The beach is sectioned off for social distancing. The camp sites are in the tall pine trees just steps away from the lake. I come back every year! Swimming in the lake is great!"
$30 - $60 / night
"The tent only section is nicely tucked away from the RV sites. Nice for a campervan, but no hookups. Great views of Shasta and the cheapest option in Weed, it seems."
"First of all, a quaint little park tucked into a wooded valley in Weed, CA.(just north of Mt. Shasta)."
"Shower tokens can be purchased at Ray's Market, located a few blocks away. Restrooms are open to the public. There is a charging station and hiker's box that was full of good stuff."
"it was hot and smokey from the carr fire when we visited but it was pretty nice. we wanted to spread a little trail magic on the pct while we were there and hopefully helped out a few people."
"Trail Creek runs through the back of the campground and is beautiful!"
$66 - $149 / night
"For once a KOA not next to a freeway. Off the beaten path for a change. Nice grounds. I'm in a basic cabin. It's basic. No ac just a ceiling fan. Nice small queen bed with linens."
"Nothing fancy schmancy, but roomy and woodsy, and convenient for our drive down California. :) highly recommend!"
"Lots of spots tucked away to park next to, and even more tent spots you can walk to hidden just off the drivable areas. Saw about 5 people camping around us, mostly in cars with tents and some vans."
"Cannot hear water the other person mentioned but also haven't walked down the road yet. 3 or 4 rigs down close by. I am in a level spot but nowhere to walk except road from here. Again, great view."
"Idlewild is next to road, so went up 2 miles of gravel road to Mule Bridge. No clear ‘camping’ area, but 3 fire rings. About 9 cabins, on uphill side that are family-owned."
TravelerWe camped in the rv campground and it was basically just a parking lot. The price was decent ($30 a night) but we had to pay for a park pass on top of that ($25 for a week). They had showers, but they cost a quarter per minute. The lake was nice, but it was a bit of a walk from the rv parking.
GuideWe stayed two nights here and were able to walk to the Apple harvest festival across the street. You are definitely packed in here but the park is really nice. We stayed in spot 29.
These spots seem to have shade all day long: 25-34 47-70
Spots we saw that we would like to stay in next time: 18, 19, 83A, 113
Also good: 80-83 and 105-113
36-47 have no shade in the afternoon/early evening
The bathrooms were old but clean. I wish the outdoor cooking facilities were better maintained. I’m not quite sure they are usable, but my husband says they are.
We definitely will return to this Park. I appreciate the tight ship they run. We let them know that our cable box was broken when we arrived, and even though we don’t use the cable, they had somebody there within five minutes to fix it. Strict 10pm quiet rule, which I also appreciated. Some highway noise, but it was not that bad. The little town of McCloud is so very cute and easily walkable. We recommend Sage for a fancy dinner.
TravelerI showed up for a first come first served site. It wasn’t clear when I drove in that you can look at the dates on the reservation tags and use the site if you’re between days it is reserved. Nice shady wooded campground right next to the river with easy access to a gorgeous trail.
TravelerIt's a beautiful camp, but there is a conflict between their (gov run) website information and in park board. Some sights are first come first serve, but some can be reserved online, but aren't marked, so there can be a reservation for a first come first serve spot. I've been there three times, the last wasn't bad, but twice the above issues caused inconvenience to my camp. Still a beautiful place, though
GuideThe access is right off of hwy 97, the gravel road is fine for low clearance vehicles, and the campsites are just off of the gravel road. Be prepared for getting fine sand everywhere. There are nice views of Mt. Shasta and options for open sky or shaded areas to choose from. Traffic is minimal but you will hear a train at least once a day or night.
TravelerPeaceful and quiet even with full occupancy. Beautiful sites with the sound of the river. Just enough cell phone reception to text and call but not enough to doom scroll. Host very helpful.
ScoutHighway noise, lots train noise, cement picnic tables can’t move, gravel, not level.
TravelerMe and my boyfriend visited Shasta for the first time, and we stayed 3 nights at Shasta Sugar Vintage Trailer. Unfortunately, our 3 days started with rain, so we couldn’t explore nature and have as much adventure as we wanted. Heavy rain, muddy roads, and driving in the fog changed our trip plans. But when our plans changed, we had to stay in the trailer more—and we actually enjoyed it even much more! I was so glad to find this vintage cutie. When I booked it, I knew the interior was vintage, but I didn’t realize how special it would feel. Shasta Sugar is from 1961, so you really have to appreciate the vintage charm of it. We never had any issues and didn’t smell any gas or gas licking. It was pretty warm inside with the heater. I don’t know about summer without AC, but it might be enough with the fans. The profile does say there is no AC. We cooked breakfast and dinner and really enjoyed using the kitchen. We slept well, and I really appreciated the taste of the interior design. I loved all the colors, even the dishes they chose. The vintage blue and red make the place even more special if you have an artsy taste. Surprisingly, the couch that turns into a bed was so comfy to sleep on! Just keep in mind, if your boyfriend is tall and has big shoulders, it might feel a little tight. If you like this trailer, date a shorter man.😂 Everything was so clean and cute. Sitting outside by the apple tree, we never heard the noise from the highway. We enjoyed all the chicken and rooster sounds, especially in the morning—they were adorable! Honestly, hearing the rooster sound is the best first thing when you wake up. The bathroom was clean and warm, with really hot water in the shower. So convenient! Karen was the best host. She cared about our privacy, was really helpful, and always responded quickly. We really appreciated her. I also really recommend the campground if you want to experience the RV lifestyle. Overall, I really recommend this place. You’ll have such a unique experience staying in the cutest vintage trailer ever, especially if you have an artsy taste! Thank you Host. lucky to find her.
ScoutSpots fill up so get here early. You’re going to want an SUV or larger
Klamath National Forest encompasses over 1.7 million acres across northern California and southern Oregon, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 8,900 feet. The forest contains five wilderness areas and hundreds of miles of rivers and streams. Most primitive campgrounds in this region don't have electricity, and many require self-sufficiency with water supplies during peak summer months.
Fishing opportunities: Trail Creek Campground provides access to creek fishing just steps from your campsite. One visitor noted, "Trail Creek runs through the back of the campground and is beautiful!" The $10 nightly fee ($5 with senior discount) makes it an affordable option for anglers.
Water activities: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers comprehensive water recreation with kayak rentals and pontoon boats. A camper shared, "We rented kayaks one day and the next we rented a pontoon boat and our friends joined us. We found a rope swing hanging on a tree and tied up and did some rope swing fun into the lake."
Mountain hiking: Scott Mountain Campground serves as a great base for Pacific Crest Trail access at 5,400 feet elevation. "We wanted to spread a little trail magic on the PCT while we were there and hopefully helped out a few people," mentioned one visitor who camped during wildfire season.
Wildlife viewing: Mulebridge Campground provides secluded riverside camping with minimal crowds. As one camper observed, "Beautiful North Fork of Salmon, bubbling right next to camp. VERY little traffic & people. Pit toilet clean!! NO trash service seen."
Natural water features: Many campers specifically mention creeks and streams as highlights. At Trail Creek Campground, visitors appreciate the accessibility of water from camp, with one noting the campground is "quiet and peaceful" with "drinking water provided as well as vault toilets."
Remote locations: Kangaroo Lake Campground receives praise for its seclusion despite challenging access. A visitor described, "The RV/tent sites are all well designed with good separation. Most of the campsites have nice views of the mountains that surround the lake."
Family-friendly beaches: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort features sandy beaches that families consistently rate highly. One camper shared, "Short walk with our water toys to the nice sandy beach and lake." Another mentioned the "nice beach, boat ramp, party boat rentals, general store, restaurant, bar, arcade, laundry."
Small town connections: Etna City Park offers tent camping with easy access to town amenities. A visitor noted, "The town is small. Enjoyed the restaurants and coffee shop. Good food. Good coffee. We didn't use it but heard there is a community pool for free public use. Town is very friendly towards hikers."
Road access challenges: Several campgrounds require navigation on difficult forest roads. For Kangaroo Lake, a camper warned, "Drive up isn't for the faint of heart though. But well worth the trek up."
Limited facilities: Horse Flat Campground and many remote sites have minimal maintenance. A recent visitor reported, "The campground proper has not been maintained. Very little evidence of recent campers. Many of the sites have been degraded by debris carried by flooding."
No cell service: Most primitive sites lack connectivity. At Trail Creek Campground, a camper confirmed, "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."
Bear activity: Proper food storage is essential throughout the forest. Campers at Lake Siskiyou noted recent changes: "The trashcans were changed to dumpsters (probably due to bears), but the dumpsters were locked during times that people needed them."
Accessible facilities: Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday offers family-oriented amenities. A visitor listed, "Pool, game room, shuffle board, basketball court and off leash dog park. Lots of trees in the sites great for hammocking."
Swimming options: Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort has designated swimming areas with sandy beaches. One family camper noted, "We took 2 small children in a rented camper and went to this lake... short walk with our water toys to the nice sandy beach and lake."
Budget-friendly options: Etna City Park provides basic tent camping with playground access. A visitor explained, "There's a large shelter with picnic tables and electric plug-ins to charge your phone. Another plug set was on a post near other entrance of the park."
Noise considerations: Trailer Lane Campground in Weed offers views of Mount Shasta but with a caveat. One family noted, "Keep in mind that it's close to the highway and yes, road noise is quite loud. We turned on our fan and that blocked most of it."
Site selection: For larger rigs, Mount Shasta KOA Holiday offers appropriate spaces. A camper with a large motorhome noted, "We've been at KOAs much tighter than this one. The pull-through sites were priced at approximately $55 per night."
Water and dump stations: Trailer Lane Campground provides full hookup sites with level spaces. One RVer mentioned, "Our site was level and that is a big plus!! We could hear some traffic noise but not a problem for us."
Seasonal access: Most Klamath National Forest campgrounds at higher elevations close during winter months. Road conditions can be challenging for larger vehicles, with many campgrounds only accommodating smaller trailers or tent camping.
Shade availability: Several RVers note the importance of shade during summer months. At Mount Shasta KOA, one camper appreciated "lots of shade offered by the many trees" and the "woodsy feel and the convenience offered."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Klamath National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, Klamath National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 246 campgrounds and RV parks near Klamath National Forest and 23 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Klamath National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Klamath National Forest is Kangaroo Lake Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Klamath National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Klamath National Forest.
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