Campgrounds near Magalia, California sit in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cool winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Fire regulations typically remain strict from June through October, with many campgrounds requiring portable stoves rather than open flames.
What to do
Fishing at Deer Creek: Potato Patch Campground offers easy access to Deer Creek, stocked with trout twice monthly during fishing season. "Fishing is made easy as the Creek is planted two times a month," notes a reviewer who finds the creek "clean, clean... Lassen Snow melt."
Hiking nearby: Butte Meadows Campground provides access to multiple hiking trails within walking distance. "This site is awesome, right on the river, close to the cal fire station and walking distance to the local Butte Meadows businesses. So many great hiking trails near by and it is about an hour from lake Almanor," shares one camper.
Water recreation: Bidwell Canyon Campground at Lake Oroville features water activities including swimming, boating, and kayaking. A reviewer notes, "Really enjoyed this campground which is part of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area... There are local hiking trails, and of course all kinds of water recreation at the lake."
What campers like
Cooler temperatures: The mountain elevation provides relief from valley heat, making summer camping comfortable. "Great little lake. Good fishing. Rough road in," mentions a visitor about Philbrook Campground, which sits at a higher elevation and offers cooler weather.
Waterfront sites: Access to creeks and lakes ranks high for campers seeking water proximity. At Butte Meadows Campground, one visitor shared, "My wife and I spent a few days here in a 16' trailer. Great spots along the creek. Little to no dust. Lots of shade."
Peaceful surroundings: Many campers value the quiet atmosphere away from urban noise. At Limesaddle - Lake Oroville State Rec Area, a camper notes, "second time at Limesaddle! Love camping here when visiting my daughter who attends Chico State… we could stay closer but the views, quiet and beauty is worth the 30 min into town!"
What you should know
Wildlife awareness: Black bears frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. "Nice find while traveling through the area. Very quiet and clean campground. The creek running through the campground was nice for our dog. It is bear country and many other campers weren't keeping there areas bear proofed throughout the day. Found some bear scat with candy wraps in the scat," warns a visitor to Butte Meadows.
Road conditions: Access to higher elevation campgrounds requires navigating rough roads. A camper at Milsap Campground describes the journey: "Starts bumpy, sketchy, and exhilarating. Itchy too."
Limited connectivity: Cell service remains spotty or non-existent at most campgrounds. A camper at Potato Patch notes: "Fairly remote, closet town is Chester, 30 miles away. No cell signal on any carrier."
Tips for camping with families
Creek access for children: Look for campgrounds with shallow water access for kids. At Potato Patch Campground, a visitor mentions, "The pit toilets near the entrance is really low which is great for smaller children."
Spacious sites: River Reflections RV Park offers well-spaced sites for families needing room to spread out. "Sites are spread out. The campground is well maintained with beautiful landscape and access/view of river," notes a reviewer.
Ranger programs: Some Lake Oroville campgrounds offer educational programs during summer months. A Bidwell Canyon visitor shared, "The Lake Oroville Visitor Center has a small museum and exhibits. Staff there were wonderful too."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. A Bidwell Canyon camper warns, "A lot of the sites are very uneven, ours was almost terraced, and the tent area was barely big enough for our 8 person tent. When I took a drive around it looked like many were similarly sloped/terraced not a flat site."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited to specific campgrounds. At River Reflections, one RVer reports, "Well maintained grounds friendly and helpful. Cell service is spotty at best and unfortunately WIFI was not working properly although that is not needed for camping, working was almost impossible."
Site selection: Reserve early for pull-through sites at the best places to camp near Magalia. An Almond Tree RV Park visitor advises, "This place is very clean and quiet. Perfect for pull-through. The spaces are perfect size and flat (even ground), which is imperative for the type of RV that we have."
