Modoc National Forest offers diverse pet friendly camping near McArthur, California across several accessible campgrounds. The region sits at elevations between 4,500-7,000 feet with temperatures that can fluctuate dramatically between day and night. Vault toilets are standard at most Forest Service sites, though water availability varies seasonally with many campgrounds shutting down systems by mid-October.
What to do
Fishing at reservoirs and lakes: Blue Lake Campground provides shoreline access for both trout and crawdad fishing. "The crawdad fishing is really the ticket however, lots of them and they are big," notes one visitor to Blue Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Sage Campground used to be known for its feral horse population. "We have visited Big Sage a number of times and it used to be a nice little campground set on the shores of Big Sage Reservoir. We have caught largemouth bass and crappie in the reservoir," writes a reviewer about their Big Sage Campground experience.
Hiking nearby trails: Mill Creek Falls offers hiking routes into the Warner Mountains. "Not only is the Falls beautiful but the trek up to Clear Lake is breathtaking! Serene and tranquil. Worth the hike for those wanting to get in touch with Nature," reports a visitor to Mill Creek Falls Campground.
What campers like
Quiet, uncrowded camping: Upper Rush Creek remains relatively untouched most of the season. "Little evidence that there had been any other campers here in weeks. Cobwebs in the outhouse, campfire circles washed clean by rain," notes a visitor to Upper Rush Creek Campground.
Hammock camping spots: Several campgrounds offer tree cover suitable for hammock setup. "So many beautiful trees in the campground and plenty of places to hang a hammock. We stayed for a long weekend, deer were plentiful and it was a perfect spot to enjoy nature," mentions one camper about their Blue Lake Campground experience.
Free camping options: Lower Rush Creek offers no-cost sites with basic amenities. "Free usfs camping! Secluded little campground right off 299. Follow directions on Dyrt app as coordinates don't quite take you to the actual campground. There is signage as you turn off 299 but mileage is off," shares a reviewer about Lower Rush Creek Campground.
What you should know
Weather variability: Snow can occur even during summer months at higher elevations. "Camped here in June 2020 and got the single prime spot across the little pond with its own pit toilet. Snowed when we were there in June," reports a camper from Stough Reservoir Campground.
Road conditions matter: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating unpaved roads. "The road is 2+ miles of dirt - gravel to the CG. The campground is sparse and lacks flushing toilets, pit toilet is available," notes a Stough Reservoir visitor.
Fire restrictions vary: Check current regulations before planning campfires. "You should be careful to read about fire restrictions in the area, just in case. At the time we were there, you could have fires in designated areas, but please make sure they're out cold when you're done!" advises a Lower Rush Creek camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Likely Place offers designated play areas for children. "Our site backed up to the meadow and we were told this was an off leash area. The playground is on the far side of the meadow," describes a visitor to Likely Place RV and Golf Resort.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local wildlife encounters. "Keep your food locked up or hanging in a tree. Check the area sign for fire restrictions or warnings of large animals in the area," warns a Stough Reservoir camper.
Tick precautions: Be vigilant about ticks, especially near creek areas. "The creek is small, and access is somewhat hard to get to since it has steep sides on a lot of it. There are quite a few ticks that like the grass near the waters edge too. We were careful and still ended up pulling a few off that night," shares a Lower Rush Creek visitor.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions matter: Many campgrounds have tight turns or limited access. "Small campground with 10 or so sites. 6 of them are drive up, and there are 4 tent only sites that you have to cross a small bridge to get to. Site #5 fit our 22 foot travel trailer and truck really well. The loop around is tight, but you could probably get through with a 24 or 25 foot trailer if you were careful," explains a Lower Rush Creek camper.
Utilities placement: Check hookup locations when selecting sites. "The utilities are more toward the front of the site, which made them very convenient for our rig. Great water pressure so suggest using your reducer," notes a visitor to Likely Place RV Resort.
Cellular connectivity: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. "We did get three bars on Verizon and our MiFi worked fine. We got 4 OTA channels so we put out our satellite and were pleasantly surprised we got an easy shot of the southern sky with the trees around the site," reports an RVer staying at Likely Place.
