Searching for a tent campsite near Lakehead? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Lakehead, California's most popular destinations.
Peltier Bridge is a tent-only campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill, and a lamp pole. The campsites share two vault toilets. For campsites 1, 2 and 3, park and walk approximately 25-35 feet to your site. Drinking water and electricity are not available. Due to a small parking area, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. This includes vehicles towing trailers and fifth wheels and vehicles towing pop-up campers. Motorhomes are not allowed in this campground. No overflow parking is available.
This tent-only campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 13.5 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Clear Creek flows past the campground, making it a popular spot for fly fishing. The camp is shaded by alders and large canyon live oaks. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
Tall trees providing cooling shade make Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.
Brandy Creek Beach is located three and a half miles from the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
$20 / night
This facility is used on an "as needed basis" by the Shasta Recreation Company (Concessionaire to the Forest Service). There are 8 camping sites that can accomodate a trailer with an average max. size of 16'. All sites have a picnic table, campfire ring, and an unpaved parking spur.
Open May 15- Sept 11 with services. Campground is open during the off season with no facilities, no fees, pack it in, pack it out.
$15 / night
The McCloud River Wintu tribe held Hirz Mountain in reverence and had a name for it in their own language. But it was a white miner, Henry Hirz, who gave the mountain its modern name. Hirz was a gold miner who lived on Hirz Creek in the 1860s and was one of the earliest white men in the McCloud River country. When the lookout was built, it was originally a structure that sat on the ground. The mountain was a strategic location for detecting fires because it had a direct view into the headwaters of the McCloud River and most of its tributaries. In 1937, the Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rebuilt the Hirz Mountain Lookout cabin and included a garage and outhouse. It was one of the last CCC-era lookouts to be built. In 1949, a steel tower was added, constructed of a steel K-brace tower that stands 20 feet above ground level. Coming here is not for the faint of heart. The access road is rocky and steep with limited visibility - high clearance vehicles are recommended - and the last quarter-mile must be traversed on foot. Those who make the journey are rewarded with unforgettable views of the landscape by day and the stars at night.
The main recreational activities at Hirz Mountain Lookout are sightseeing and stargazing, and this is an ideal setting for those with a passion for photography. Visitors may want to bring binoculars to go birding and wildlife watching. There are also opportunities to hike, mountain bike and hunt in the area.
This lookout tower sits atop Hirz Mountain at an elevation of 3,540 feet, offering 360-degree views of Mt. Shasta's snow-laced peak to the north, Mt. Lassen to the southeast and the gray limestone exposures of Hirz Mountain itself. The narrow blue-green ribbon of the McCloud River Arm winds past the east side of Hirz Mountain, extending north and south as far as the eye can see. Visitors to Hirz Mountain Lookout are advised to use caution, as rattlesnakes and bears frequent the area (click here for information on bear safety).
$100 / night
Greens Creek is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located on the McCloud Arm of the lake, this facility is popular with those visitors who want to get away from the crowds. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water. This is a pack it in, pack it out facility.
Located on the flanks of California’s most magical peak, LOGE Mt. Shasta is your ultimate adventure outpost! Come to summit the mountain or get after it with the many outdoor activities that Mt. Shasta are has to offer- bike, hike, ski, raft, fish- the list goes on! Our BRAND NEW covered campsites and camp bathrooms are perfect to get your camping fix but also enjoy all the radness the property has to offer including a shared kitchen and free use of our Traeger Grills. Start and end your day with coffee and brews at The Finlandia Cafe located on site. From on-site gear rentals to fire pits and free live music, LOGE Mt. Shasta delivers a welcoming outdoor-adventure-focused experience.
From the website: Located on the Lower McCloud River at an elevation of 2300 feet, this remote campground has 16 sites with tables and fire rings, flush toilets, and drinking water. The dirt access road from Lake McCloud is very rough and rocky. Low clearance vehicles, trailers, and RVs are not advised. 14 day limit. $10 per night. No reservations. Features: This campground is situated on an historic site used by Native American tribes and various land owners over the years, including the families of Whittier, Fitzhugh, and William Randolph Hearst. Visitors can explore and identify the remains of several buildings, foundations, rock walls, and an orchard that still produces fruit. The Lower McCloud River is a world renown native trout fishery which makes this camp a favorite for anglers. California Fish and Game regulations for this section of river allow only the use of artificial lures with barbless hooks. According to local lore the site's name is derived from the first two initials of the first names of the three daughters of one of the previous owners. It is pronounced "Uhdeenuh". One word, soft 'A' hard 'E'. The water is potable
$10 / night
The dirt access road from Lake McCloud is very rough and rocky. Low clearance vehicles, trailers, and RVs are not advised.
This tent-only campground is located in the northwest corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 19 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Crystal Creek flows alongside each campsite. The campground stays relatively cool due to the creek and to the shade given by a canopy of fir, maple and pine. Three nearby trails lead to lovely waterfalls. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
The heavy forest canopy and burbling year-round creek make Crystal Creek Primitive Campground an ideal location for a peaceful retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
The Tower House Historic District is located within the recreation area less than five miles from Crystal Creek Primitive Campground. Learn about the California Gold Rush history of the area by strolling among the historic buildings, water ditches, and a former gold mine, or by panning for gold or attending an interpretive program at the site. Oak Bottom is located eight miles from the campground and features beaches, lakeside picnicking, and a full-service marina with boat rentals.
$20 / night
Traveler
Very basic sites, on the river. Hosts are super helpful and friendly, great for a short time.
Scout
Syayed in #3. Kind of confusing to get a reservation. Couldnt buy a ticket at the visitors center. Online only. Once i figured it out it is easy. Once there i went hiking but something was missing THE CAMPFIRE. That was when i started having fun. This is a clean campsite that is only 9.4 miles to west redding.
Scout
I feel like nature is where i need to be. I love it here. Clean
Scout
This campground has full hookups, a. WiFi that is good enough to stream and it’s not a parking lot, good for tents and rv’s
Scout
I have frequented this RV campground several times over many years. It is sad to see it becoming run down. The once paved interior roads are now barely discernable dirt paths. They also have a fee for locking in your chosen campground site for an additional $35 fee?!?!? Once you have waited for a specific site/s to become available to reserve, under what circumstances would they deem it reasonable to move you to another site without your consent? I luckily did not (will not) pay the additional fee, and 90% of the campground was vacant the week I was there. That guaranteed reservation fee is just a scam to get more money out of you. The costs of the sites are not cheap to begin with.
Traveler
Karen and Jay have a delightful campground in the shadow of Shasta Mountain. The camp sites are nicely groomed, flat and have full hookups. If you don't have an RV you can stay in one of the trailers they have on site. Or if you prefer to tent camp, they have nice sites for that as well. Nice showers and bathroom facilities. Clean and well stocked. The fun part is the critters they have on site- chickens, turkeys, goats and quail. There is a fun little kid zone with several activities appropriate for the whole family. And if you are craving a campfire, they have a nice pit in this kid area where you can safely enjoy the coals. This is situated near many great hiking and fishing sites so you will not be bored. There are some beautiful waterfalls, lakes and rivers to have you enjoy on your travels. Only reason I did not give 5 stars is the road noise from the freeway nearby. But definitely worth staying and relaxing!
Guide
You’ll have to enter a dirt road to get down to this spot. There will be several sites, but small ones all along that dirt road. This site specifically is good for when camping with a Van or small trailer.
Scoutso far my experience has been great we're camping out for 3 Days got campsite 6 , nice little spot next to the water, first night was peaceful there's no other people reserving any of the campsites so we got lucky, I would definitely recommend camping here however sites four and five are directly next to each other six is separate 7 8 and 9 are a little more secluded in the back I didn't see sites one two and three
Guide
Wow what a place, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
The road although incredibly long and winding was well maintained and I’m pretty sure even a car could make it without issue.
The drive up was a whole experience in itself, reminded me of Last of The Mohicans, don’t slip!
I went during hunting season without realizing it, out of the 10 sites 7 where taken up by hunters, but I only saw one person my whole stay.
ScoutAnother great stay September 19-22, 2024. Love this place! This time we enjoyed 9 holes of golf at the Weed Golf Club!
Guide
Well maintained and clean park. Actually has grass, not all gravel. Sites level. Nice pool and laundry room. One night stay and arrived late so did self check in...no password for bathrooms were given, so asked a neighbor for a password. One of the restrooms was shut down for repairs. Too pricy.
Scout
We were the only ones there for the most part. Every night there would be a few cars that drive through, but they didn’t stay. Bring yellow jacket traps - there’s a reason it’s named beehive
Scout
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!
Scout
This is an awesome campground with a single-lane road. I love visit it and join adventures in geometry dash lite. We managed to navigate it in an SUV with a teardrop trailer, but I wouldn't recommend towing anything longer. During our visit in May, the river flowed swiftly and cold, making it unsuitable for swimming or fishing. There is a well-maintained vault toilet on site, along with bear-proof recycling and trash receptacles. Limited to no service available for most of the journey. Remember, fire permits are mandatory.
ScoutWe enjoyed our stay at Trailer Lane. Jay was very accommodating and took great care of us. The price was right also. We recommend this place highly. Very clean and well maintained. Bathroom/shower is old but clean with updated fixtures. We absolutely LOVED the animals onsite! Chickens, turkeys, quail and goats! Some of the chicken coops were old vintage trailers!
We will return!
ScoutWonderful place to stay overnight. The owners were very responsive to our concerns and requests. The campground is friendly, clean, well taken care of and easy to get to. It shows the pride of ownership. Will definitely return when in the area
Traveler
Great little park. Lots of shade and green grass, good management, Clean restrooms and well kept grounds. Close to river and lakes for boating and fishing. There is a great area for tent camping or a place to dry camp with your RV just below the main RV park. There are targets set up for bow hunters in the pines below the park.
Our 35 foot fifth wheel easily navigated the space.
Guide
The first spot you come across is super cute with little stone sculptures in the creek and a little shelter with carpet...and then you realize it's most likely a locals party zone and homeless camp. There was a trash pile, bags of potato chips...and potatoes.
The next spot was cleaner and near the water, but the circular "driveway" was tight and had very little space. This is where we stayed.
The rest of the spots weren't near water and were just open fields directly in the sun.
TravelerLarge space with tons of camp sites. I took camp spot 28 and had plenty of space behind me and around me. Tons of rules here, but can tell the camp ground is well maintained and nothing unreasonable. Friendly staff, shoutout to Fernanda 🤙🏽
ScoutWonderful place to stay! Very nice little campground in Weed, CA. We originally were just stopping for the night so I had reserved a 50 amp pull thru, but we had some problems with our fifth wheel and my husband wanted some shade to work on it. Karen was nice enough to juggle reservations and get us in a 30 amp back in that had shade. Plus, we ended up staying for two nights. Karen was very accommodating and helpful and we really appreciated it! The campground is fun, has some outdoor games, a small dog park, and a community fire pit. And visiting the goats and chickens was definitely a bonus! I highly recommend Trailer Lane Campground and would definitely stay there again! We didn't use the bathrooms or laundry.
Traveler
I started my journey up at Shasta lake, but was driven out by bees. I sought several other locations but decided Trinity was a worthwhile shot. I quickly made an online reservation, paid the holding fee, got there 4 hours early because I needed to just land instead of driving aimlessly, and the staff was so accommodating! They allowed me to stay in the parking lot while my site was being prepared, and they even let me in an hour and half earlier than check in! My spot was easy and accessible, close to bathrooms and showers, near the front store which had everything I needed, including coffee, a short walk to the lake, and a view of stars you don’t see very often. I came for solitude, but found comfort in neighbors who have a mutual love and respect for these great outdoors. I even shared a meal with my neighbor! This is an incredible place and very well maintained grounds. Staff are driving around quite literally into the night hours keeping things clean. Thanks Trinity KAO Holiday! I will be seeing you again!
Scout
oh wow what a fantastic and gorgeous location. really well maintained when it comes to their bathrooms (flushing & sinks) and trash cans… but holy bear. around 4am a black bear (maybe 500lbs?) came through our site and pulled on the bear box and kept it moving to check neighboring sites (which were vacant) only to come back shortly later for a few sniffs. this would’ve been less scary had we been in an RV buuuut tent camping + bear is not the vibe guys. it definitely smelled us and knew exactly where we were & we’re incredibly fortunate but of course we were terrified. i’d definitely come back with different equipment and plenty of mace and really wish there were more signs about the likelihood of bears in this area at this time. there were a handful of signs but so small and easy to get lost amid all the other super valuable information.
TravelerIt’s likely that the heat draws the bees out, so you may have a different experience other times of the year. The bees made this incredible location no longer worth it.
ScoutI didn't put two and two together. Woke up to the BIGGEST swarm of wasps circling our fireplace and trying to make a nest in our fender. Be very careful with putting all your cookware away and completely burn your used paper towels. We went during a no burn period, so we were out of luck and ran out of camp.
Traveler
Good for a quick stop over. Quiet and never crowded. Clean bathrooms. Right on the river with easy access to the 5.
LegendVery large park. Does not look like any money has been invested in a long time. Lots of amenities but poor condition. 3 star because of full hookups. Worst marked loops ever.
ScoutWe prepaid and we’re assigned a site. We showed up before the 2PM check in time and couldn’t raise anyone so pulled into our vacant site which was supposed to be pull through but sites are back to back so difficult to do in addition our site had a tree 12-14’ from electric and utilities. Had to jockey a number of time to position our slide outs each side of the tree and other side slide out behind electrical. Not easy to position. Little later guy shows up and tells us we have to move. What? Said we were in the required fire Lane. I questioned it and he snapped that we had checked in early, I replied we tried the bell at the store and no one responded. Again we were chastised for being early. He stated fire Lane was in back of our fifth wheel. I paced it off and we were sixteen feet to the trailer behind. He responded you have to move. That would force us to pull forward almost out of our space. Based on his rudeness we said we would just leave. We were still charged even after requesting a refund.
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 Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lakehead, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 52 tent camping locations near Lakehead, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
