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Best Tent Camping near Klamath National Forest

444 Reviews

Tent campsites near Klamath National Forest offer a mix of established and primitive camping options in diverse mountain settings. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping provides tent sites with views of Mount Shasta, while Etna City Park offers tent camping in a well-maintained municipal park setting with amenities for hikers. Toad Lake Campground features walk-in tent sites accessible via a rugged forest road, requiring a moderate hike from the parking area to reach pristine lakeside camping locations.

Most tent campgrounds in the Klamath region have basic amenities, with surface conditions varying from soft grass at Etna City Park to rocky terrain at higher-elevation sites. Dispersed tent camping areas typically feature existing fire rings but may lack formal facilities. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, particularly Castle Lake and Toad Lake areas. According to one visitor, "The road to Toad Lake is very rough, so expect to bounce around for about 1.5 hours while traveling at an average speed of 5mph." Seasonal access constraints affect higher elevation tent campsites, with snow often blocking roads until late spring or early summer.

These backcountry tent camping locations provide excellent opportunities for solitude and scenic views. Sites near Castle Lake offer expansive vistas of Mount Shasta, while walk-in tent sites at Toad Lake provide a more immersive wilderness experience. Established tent campsites at Etna City Park are within walking distance of town amenities, making it popular with Pacific Crest Trail hikers. The surrounding area offers numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and swimming opportunities. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "About 15 min off the I-5 and climbing most of the way. High and dry. Great view of Shasta Mtn. 8 campers here in mid May. All 2 wheel low clearance accessible. 8 or more still available for higher clearance vehicle."

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Best Tent Sites Near Klamath National Forest (54)

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17 Photos of 54 Klamath National Forest Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Klamath National Forest

444 Reviews of 54 Klamath National Forest Campgrounds

  • Dan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 5, 2023

    Oak Bottom Tent Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

    Shoreline site is the way to go.

    Very glad I got the site I did(SC10). The shoreline sites allow you your own little spot on the lake, although some seemed better then others. Site was sloped and uneven but did have a couple flat spots for tents. Not a ton of shade but what little shade it did have was next to tent flats. Table, fire and bear box were in full sun all day which makes afternoon food prep on a hot day a bit brutal. You do get some noise from the 299 at night. The walk in and out to the parking is a bit steep and further then other sites but it does mean you get a little more privacy. I was there to kayak fish for the weekend and the site was perfect for that. My guess is the place becomes a madhouse in the summertime and the non shoreline sites are pretty close together. I personally wouldn’t stay in a non shoreline site here, but that’s me. The lake is beautiful and there’s a beach at the campground, though really hot in the summer. I would give site SC10 4-stars but the campground overall 3-stars.

  • Rosie H.
    May. 30, 2021

    East Fork Campground

    Clean bathrooms

    The spot I was in was small and nestled in a grove of aspen trees. The bear locker was well maintained and the fire ring was double walled. There were flush toilets with working lights and the tent pad was level.

    Its a short drive to some great hikes, but the campground itself was too busy and too close to the highway to use as a good starting point.

  • Chloe T.
    Nov. 4, 2017

    Oak Bottom Tent Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

    Great for Shoulder Season

    We camped in Oak Bottom in October when the days were hot and the evenings were cool. Because it's the shoulder season, their were fewer people there, which allowed us to have more space... no one in adjacent sites. However, if you are there during the high season, you will be crammed on top of one another. The only reason to tolerate that would be the close access to water. Again, because we were there during the late season, the water was low enough that it took some strategizing to get down there to get our SUPs in the water. Once we were in, it was perfect... cold and plenty deep. Oak Bottom is a tent only site, which is also a positive in my book. No generators or other vehicle sounds. The others in our area were also very quiet... no annoying music or loud voices during quiet hours. But, of course, that can't be guaranteed and I'm sure is different when the sites are filled since they are so VERY close together. Overall, I would recommend camping at Oak Bottom. If you're going during the busy season and you can afford it, reserve two spots!

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Trail Creek Campground

    Quiet Campground In the Klamath National Forest

    This is our second time camping in this campground. It’s out of the way and pretty remote, but quiet and peaceful. There are no hookups, but there is drinking water provided as well as vault toilets (which were pretty darn clean), and a bear proof trash can. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Generator use is allowed from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Last year in July when we visited there were maybe 3 other people here. This time in October (late in the season), we were the only ones here. The fee is $10.00 a night, or $5.00 with the pass/senior discount. 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. Trail Creek runs through the back of the campground and is beautiful!

  • Dan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2023

    Tannery Gulch Campground

    3.5 Stars

    Nice well shaded campground, some sites enjoy lake views although Trinity Lake is very low at this point. Site 67 is a nice size, lots of space between adjacent sites. Two tent flats, table and fire ring. Some sites have bear boxes, 67 does not. Close but not too close to the bathroom. Camp host was friendly. Easy walk/ drive to the lake. I would check site map and reviews if possible, some sites looked very small and unappealing while others were very spacious.(67) No firewood for sale on site. Overall campground was nice and site 67 in particular was very good. 3.5 Stars.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Fowlers Campground

    Great Little Campsite

    My friends and I stopped here for a night before we go camping in the backcountry and it was great! Has a little fire pit, bear box and nice flat spots to put your tent.

  • Kristina B.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    LOGE Mt Shasta

    A goat pen on gravel in a parking lot.

    Not a campground at all. It’s a hotel where they dumped gravel in the parking and erected goat pens for people to sleep in. 

    No toilet paper or hand towels in the bathroom. All services were closed. No bar. No coffee. No rentals. The only shade is in your goat pen. 

    The goat pen comes with a picnic table and two plastic Adirondack chairs. 

    I’m camping alone so I had to move a picnic table by myself in order to set up my tent. On gravel mind you. The website shows an elevated platform. Not the case. It’s gravel. Big gravel. Hard tent piercing sharp gravel. Gravel. 

    A car was parked in front of my “campsite”. 

    Annoyed and exasperated in 100° weather and no one on staff to talk to I left. It’s June. Nothing is available last minute. I drank a local margarita and decided to suck it up 

    The only fire pit was communal. Do not expect privacy. There are goat pens packed in right next to each other. You can hear everyone’s conversations. 

    I felt obnoxious as I filled my air mattress due to the noise it made. 

    Expect road noise and train noise. All night. 

    Pros: the shower. 

    Cons: literally everything else.

  • B
    Jun. 16, 2016

    Camp 4 Group Campground — Shasta Trinity National Forest

    first come, first served

    site: no privacy. shaded. bear box at site. amenities: not many bathrooms. no showers at campground. attractions: near to the main attractions in the park. If I was okay with first come, first served I might camp here. (others told us a person has to arrive VERY early to get a spot- like 5am/6am)

  • Greg B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Ripstein Campground

    Fantastic Spot, on the way up to Trinity Alps

    My second time here...dunno why I didn't review it on the first.

    Mid-July and a main gateway to the Trinity Alps, I figured this place would be fairly busy.  Exact opposite!!   Not a soul in camp & very few cars at the trailhead parking lot (about a mile up the road).  There are 8 spots, 4 fairly close to a parking 'slot', 4 that you can park in an open area and walk to (at most 10-15 yards away).  There is one pit building with 4 toilets, 2 men/women.  There were trash/recycling receptacles.   All spots had fire rings/picnic tables, several had bear boxes.  There was NO cell service (Verizon & T-Mobile).  With temps into the high 90s, the jewel of this camp was Canyon Creek.  The color of this creek was the most beautiful gray/blue I had seen.  Crystal clear water at a refreshing mid-60s? temperature.  With a hot summer day...it was perfect!!

Guide to Klamath National Forest

Tent camping near Klamath National Forest in California offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Tent campers should check out Etna City Park

  • This well-maintained park allows tent camping for a small fee and features a picnic shelter and charging stations, making it a convenient stop for hikers.
  • Located within walking distance of local restaurants and cafes, Etna City Park provides a friendly atmosphere for those resupplying during their outdoor adventures.
  • The park includes restrooms and a hiker's box filled with useful items, enhancing the camping experience for visitors.

Explore the serene beauty of Toad Lake Campground

  • Accessible via a rough dirt road, Toad Lake Campground is perfect for those seeking a quiet and pristine environment surrounded by nature.
  • The campground offers a short hike to the lake, where visitors can enjoy stunning views and the tranquility of the area, ideal for a peaceful getaway.
  • With no amenities like trash disposal or showers, this campground encourages campers to embrace a more rugged, self-sufficient experience.

Discover the scenic trails at Lovers Camp Trailhead

  • Lovers Camp Trailhead serves as a gateway to breathtaking backpacking trips in the Marble Valley and Sky High Lakes area, making it a prime spot for adventurous campers.
  • The well-kept trails lead to stunning vistas and diverse landscapes, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the region.
  • With picnic tables available, this trailhead provides a comfortable place to relax before or after a day of hiking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Klamath National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Klamath National Forest is Etna City Park with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Klamath National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 54 tent camping locations near Klamath National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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