Dispersed camping near Lewiston, California places visitors in the diverse landscape where the Trinity Alps meet the Klamath Mountains. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,500 feet, with seasonal water levels in Trinity Lake fluctuating up to 100 feet between winter and late summer. Most sites remain accessible from April through October, though higher elevations may require waiting until late May for snow melt.
What to do
Fishing access points: Multiple sites along the Trinity River provide bank fishing opportunities. At Perry Riffle Trailhead, one camper noted it's "about a 2 min walk from the river. Several horse and hiking trails start from here," making it ideal for anglers seeking easy water access.
Swimming holes: Trinity Lake offers refreshing swimming during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. A camper at North Trinity Lake mentioned "check out Siskiyou Lake right down the way to swim it was THE best view of Shasta and the most mellow and perfect swimming conditions!"
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to spot deer and various bird species. At Groves Prairie Camp, one visitor reported: "We did have a few deer walking through our campsite through the middle of the night, and my dog loved chasing them away."
Stargazing: The minimal light pollution around Lewiston makes for exceptional stargazing. One camper specifically chose Groves Prairie Camp "to see the Perseids Meteor Shower, on a Sunday night/Monday, and did not see a soul."
What campers like
Waterfront locations: Many dispersed sites offer direct lake or river access. A camper at Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta mentioned "There's also a small creek you can bushwhack to to the east, and castle lake is a 30 min walk up the road."
Privacy between sites: The spacing between camping areas provides solitude. At Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed, a camper found it "super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed."
Fire rings at established spots: Many sites feature existing fire rings, though seasonal restrictions apply. At Castle Lake Dispersed Camping, visitors found "spots along road" with "a fire spot" already established, though they cautioned about fire restrictions that vary by season.
Mountain views: Several sites offer views of Mt. Shasta. As one camper at Castle Lake Dispersed Camping noted about their spot at "the very top by the road but it had the best view of Shasta."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful navigation. A reviewer at Castle Lake Dispersed Camping warned, "Road dips down but rutted and I'm low clearance so can't tell what's down there. I'm in the only pullout off the side of the road before it dips."
Coordinate inaccuracies: GPS coordinates may not align with actual camping locations. At Wild and Scenic Trinity River Grapevine River Access, one camper warned, "DO NOT bank on this coordinate for location. This is actually an hour away from where author put it. I found out after arriving here."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. Perry Riffle Trailhead offers "a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling," but a camper noted, "This is just a gravel parking lot" though "it's quiet, peaceful."
Tick awareness: Ticks are common in warmer months. One Cline Gulch visitor reported their dog "got bitten by ticks - and we woke to find 8 other dead ticks in our bed."
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites with amenities: For families, sites with basic facilities are preferred. A camper at Perry Riffle Trailhead appreciated the "Simple but clean and nice level sites with picnic tables" and "clean bathroom and garbage receptacles."
Scout for swimming spots: Identify safe swimming areas before your trip. At North Trinity Lake, visitors described "a beautiful open field with the woods in the back and Trinity lake in the front" providing safe water access.
Pack bug protection: Insect repellent is essential in summer. A camper at Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta noted, "The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs, but I believe that is due to the time of year."
Consider noise levels: Some sites experience unexpected disturbances. At Groves Prairie Camp, a camper reported, "The first night at about 3 AM we heard some random gunshots go off and a chainsaw."
Tips from RVers
Assess turn-around space: Limited turnaround areas can challenge larger rigs. At Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, an RVer warned, "I would probably not recommend with a trailer. I made it down with my Tacoma and a 12ft travel trailer but it was a stretch. Super easy to get in, but took a long time to turn around and get back out."
Check road conditions before arrival: Many forest roads deteriorate after winter. At Cline Gulch, a visitor noted the "road was just scraped so it was in good condition," but conditions change seasonally.
Plan for boondocking: No hookups are available at dispersed sites. A reviewer at Cline Gulch found it useful as "the only BLM I could find in the area," noting "you don't need ground clearance or 4wd to get there."
Seasonal considerations: Higher elevation sites have limited access windows. Near Castle Lake, a visitor observed in late May, "The lake campsites are still closed midMay" due to snow.
