Best Tent Camping near Lakehead, CA

Lakehead is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Lakehead, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Tent Sites Near Lakehead, California (49)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lakehead, CA

531 Reviews of 49 Lakehead Campgrounds


  • J
    Oct. 21, 2022

    Sheep Camp Primitive Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

    Quiet and remote

    This site has only 4 camping sites, all for tents only. There is a small stream running on the boarder making for perfect white noise to fall asleep to. We were camping in mid-October and the only ones here. There’s a fire ban in place so we couldn’t have a fire, but there’s a nice size fire ring for anytime the ban is lifted. Picnic tables and lantern hooks, along with bear lockers make it safe and cozy. We loved camping here with our two pups.

  • 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!

  • Toni  K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2021

    Jones Inlet Campground

    Very weird vibes, but nice camp ground

    The camp ground was beautiful. Pretty close to the water, however, this year summer 2021 the water is very low. The camp ground offers bathrooms, bear boxes, very nice fire rings and clean water. There is no camp host so bring your own wood. The fee is $25 a night. The trash cans were over flowed and there was bags of trash outside of the garbage. Please don’t do this)-:

    Weird vibes: when we pulled up there was only one other truck there. They were two people yelling at each other pretty loud so that was kinda awkward but, nothing crazy. Then we set up our tent and other car came to the spot next to ours and checked the bear box and was walking around the spot. They moved parked at another spot and did the same thing. I’m not sure if they left something or what was going on but, they just walked around to each site checking the bear box’s??

    Not sure if I would return unless more people were there because I felt uncomfortable leaving my tent and things there unattended.

  • 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.


Guide to Lakehead

Tent camping near Lakehead, California, offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing and kayaking at the scenic Jones Valley Inlet Shoreline Campground, where the proximity to the lake makes it a perfect launching spot for water activities.
  • Experience the beauty of the outdoors at Lower Salt Creek Shoreline Campground, which provides a peaceful environment for hiking and exploring the surrounding wilderness.
  • Take in stunning views and enjoy a quiet night under the stars at Ah-Di-Na Campground, known for its fishing opportunities and access to historic trails.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $35

  • Camping at Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground is affordable, with sites available for around $10, making it a budget-friendly option for nature lovers.
  • For a slightly higher price, Mary Smith Campground offers a beautiful setting with amenities like drinking water and toilets, typically costing around $25 per night.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, Hirz Mountain Lookout provides a chance to camp in a fire tower, with rates around $35, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Campground features that enhance your stay

  • Crystal Creek Primitive Campground offers a secluded experience with picnic tables and pit toilets, perfect for those seeking a primitive camping adventure.
  • At Gumboot Lake Campground, campers can enjoy a tranquil setting with access to toilets and a chance to immerse themselves in nature without the distractions of modern amenities.
  • Greens Creek Boat-in Campground allows for a unique camping experience accessible by hiking or boating, making it ideal for those looking to escape the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lakehead, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lakehead, CA is Hirz Mountain Lookout with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakehead, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 49 tent camping locations near Lakehead, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.