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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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."
Tips from RVers
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."
