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Best Dispersed Camping near Lakehead, CA

43 Reviews

Dispersed camping options surround Lakehead, California, with several free primitive sites available on public lands. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed offers creek-side camping about 45-60 minutes from Redding via a recently graded road. North Trinity Lake provides lakeside dispersed camping with no facilities but excellent views. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping sits approximately 15 minutes off I-5, climbing to higher elevations with views of Mount Shasta. Several campers report that GPS coordinates for some sites may be inaccurate, particularly at North Trinity Lake and Wild and Scenic Trinity River access points.

Most dispersed sites in the area require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal to nonexistent. No drinking water is available at most locations, and toilet facilities are rare. Fire regulations vary by location and season; always check current restrictions before your trip. According to reviews, ticks can be prevalent at some sites, particularly Cline Gulch. Cell service is limited or absent at most locations. Perry Riffle Trailhead maintains a strict 14-day camping limit within a 365-day period for the entire region, not just at that specific location.

Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Castle Lake access requires climbing on paved roads, but the final approach may need higher clearance vehicles. Cline Gulch features a narrow one-lane bridge upon entry, with low-hanging branches that may challenge larger vehicles. North Trinity Lake is accessible via multiple side dirt roads leading from the main road to the lake. Weather conditions impact accessibility, with Sand Flat Wild Camping reporting snow-covered roads as late as June. Wildlife sightings include coyotes, and bear activity has been reported near some camping areas.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lakehead, California (18)

    1. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    17 miles

    "This site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there."

    "No amenities of any kind."

    2. North Trinity Lake

    4 Reviews
    Trinity Center, CA
    18 miles

    "This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."

    "The coordinates were off though and it took us up to a private residence road so I would not follow that."

    3. Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    9 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    25 miles

    "Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes."

    "It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right."

    4. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Dunsmuir, CA
    24 miles

    "This spot is great, plenty of space, quiet, great views of Mount Shasta, easy to access."

    "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. T-Mobile reception good."

    5. Mt. Shasta Area

    2 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    20 miles

    "Winter time really is its best time but beware and plan ahead, a lot of the camp sites are closed in that time of year!"

    "Shasta is breathtaking pictures can’t do it justice A place to experience lakes streams hiking camping boating snow sports water sports the great outdoors !!"

    6. Wild and Senic Trinity River Grapevine River Access Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    20 miles

    "Great location off 299. 5 miles from Big Flat"

    7. red fir campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    32 miles

    "Just across the street from the red fir group campground, there is a good area among the trees for dispersed camping. No facilities or running water. Pretty flat spots scattered around between trees."

    "Pull in and park / camp… flat space to park or set up a tent. No services but they have outhouses about a mile up the road. No reservations or assigned spots. Quiet and comfortable. I will be back."

    8. Sand Flat Wild Camping

    3 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    33 miles

    "We couldn’t get more than a quarter mile up the very rocky forest service road. The road is completely snow covered. Two others had the same problem."

    9. Gumboot Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Castella, CA
    23 miles

    10. bunny flat dispersed

    1 Review
    Mount Shasta, CA
    33 miles

    "Close to mt Shasta. Lots of other people here. Road is rough, don't recommend a super low clearance vechile"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lakehead, CA

22 Photos of 18 Lakehead Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lakehead, CA

43 Reviews of 18 Lakehead Campgrounds

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Ok for a parking lot

    The good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.

    The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.

    That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.

    It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.

    I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.

    Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management

  • Al L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Overnight @ Perry Riffle

    Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.

  • Victoria B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Serene Escape

    Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes.

  • Grace A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Close to the lake. Beware of bugs

    Overall good stay. I don’t think you can do fires right now and there wasn’t too many options of where to stay, but we ended up finding a spot that fit 2 SUVs. It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right. It was pretty hot at night, and a bunch of bugs so keep that in mind. There was plenty of shade at the spot we found. It was a like 10 minute drive to the lake which is what makes this spot so worth it!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Perfect campsite!

    Great campsite! Will be bumpy for a regular sedan but we did see a Prius roll by. There a 3-5 sites along the road and very spread apart. We did not hear any other campers even though there were at least 2 nearby. Google will try to get you to the coordinates but doesn’t know about the existence of the final dirt road to get you there. So it gets you to a point and then expects you to walk across a small ravine. But as the other reviewers stated, keep going on the road keeping in mind that you are trying to get to exact coordinates listed which are accurate. See one of my pics. Google has you stop at the red X, but keep going along the blue path drawn.

  • Salvatore F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2023

    31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    Great dispersed spot near Lassen Volcanic NP

    We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.

    Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.

    Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.

    Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.

  • Claire D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2024

    31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    Convenient dispersed site near Lassen

    Same experience as the other reviews. Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right. The turnoff is on Google maps and was easy to find even in the dark. Nobody else around that we saw, even given the busy weekend! Agreed with others on the road noise but it was fine. Just a few minutes from Manzanita lake. Great find!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2021

    Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    At Least It’s Free

    We thought this might be a nice place to stay the night or even longer, but next time if we need a place to sleep we’ll just find one of the turnouts off of Hwy 299. I could see this being a good place for people who live locally to come and hang out in nature by the creek for a few days, but this isn’t a place I’d recommend as a destination. There is so much dead brush and cut trees all over the place here, possibly from cleanup after a fire?  Would recommend larger rigs avoid this area due to the number of low hanging tree branches.

    Also, this is a popular shooting area because we saw a ton of ammunition casings as well as broken glass and clay pigeons and other items used for target practice. Oh, and we heard a bunch of gunshots in the middle of the night.

    Once you enter the BLM land area, you will cross a narrow one lane bridge. From there you can go left, through a narrow and brush and low-hanging-tree-limbed gravel road (larger rigs beware) to a small clearing at the end which is large enough for a group, but too small for more than one party to feel comfortable there. 

    If you turn right from the bridge you have a long road for a few miles along the creek. This road is at times narrow and bumpy with low hanging limbs, and at times wide and smooth and easy to drive. Along this road are several unmarked, undeveloped, and completely unmaintained clearings where you can camp. There are no fire pits or any other indication that it’s a camp site (which is a good thing because per the info board fires aren't allowed). We did pass one trailer that appears to be residing here permanently. 

    The public road eventually dead ends about 2 miles in and turns into private property, at which point there’s a large-ish space where you can turn around. 

    Zero cell service, though the WeBoost gave the Verizon phone a couple of weak bars. The T-Mobile hotspot and the ATT cell phone were not improved by the WeBoost.

  • Regina L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Beautiful Forest

    It was my husband and I's first time trying dispersed camping, and this was beautiful. We really enjoyed the location. It was one way in 1 way out. So we felt safe. The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs, but I believe that is due to the time of year. Would definitely stay here again. Few small spots at beginning of dirt road and then a few larger further down. Surrounded by dense forest.

Guide to Lakehead

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lakehead, California, where nature lovers can find secluded spots to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, there's something for everyone.

Dispersed campers should check out Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

  • Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed features a charming creek with stone sculptures, providing a picturesque setting for your camping experience.
  • While some spots may feel a bit sketchy, others are cleaner and offer proximity to water, making it a great choice for those who enjoy fishing or relaxing by the water.
  • The site is free and does not require a permit, allowing for a hassle-free camping experience.

North Trinity Lake for dispersed campers

  • Known for its stunning views, North Trinity Lake offers multiple dirt roads leading down to the lake, perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat.
  • Campers can enjoy the open fields and wooded areas, providing a variety of landscapes to explore while enjoying the tranquility of nature.
  • The site is well-reviewed for its accessibility, making it suitable for both drive-in and walk-in camping.

Top activities while free camping near Lakehead

  • The Mt. Shasta Area is a prime spot for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities from hiking to boating, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain.
  • With amenities like drinking water and picnic tables, this area caters to those looking for a more comfortable camping experience while still enjoying the beauty of dispersed camping.
  • Visitors can take advantage of the nearby lakes and streams, making it an ideal location for fishing and water sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is free camping allowed at Lakehead near Shasta Lake?

Yes, free camping is allowed in designated dispersed areas around Lakehead near Shasta Lake. Red Fir Campground offers free dispersed camping across from the main group campground, with flat spots scattered among trees that can accommodate vehicles up to 21 feet. Another free option is 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping, which provides boondocking opportunities close to the lake. These areas have no fees but also no facilities like running water, so come prepared with all necessary supplies.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Lakehead, CA?

Lakehead offers several dispersed camping options near Shasta Lake. Perry Riffle Trailhead provides easy access via paved roads, with sites near the Sacramento River and hiking trails. The area includes a pit toilet but no water services. Another option is Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, which features multiple well-spaced sites accessible via a dirt road that continues past where Google Maps coordinates end. Most sites can accommodate multiple vehicles, though some navigation on unpaved roads is required.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Lakehead?

Dispersed camping in Lakehead typically follows standard Forest Service regulations: 14-day stay limits, pack-in-pack-out trash policies, and maintaining sites at least 100 feet from water sources. At Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed, standard BLM dispersed camping rules apply. Some areas like Mt. Shasta Area may have seasonal fire restrictions—always check current conditions before making fires. Management presence varies; some areas have daily ranger patrols checking vehicle registrations and enforcing regulations. Always verify current rules with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest office, as regulations can change seasonally.

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