Best Dog-Friendly Camping near McCloud, CA

McCloud RV Resort's pet-friendly grounds include grassy sites with a small creek running through the property, offering dogs a natural water feature for splashing and cooling off. Situated just off Highway 89, the resort provides full hookup sites accommodating tents, RVs, glamping options, and yurts. Sites in the 120s area are quite close together, with neighbors' slides sometimes extending into adjacent spaces. Dogs enjoy tramping in and out of the micro-canal that runs through the grounds, especially during hot summer days. The park maintains clean facilities with exceptionally clean bathrooms according to visitor accounts. Pets must be leashed and attended at all times, with waste disposal expected throughout the grounds.

Fowlers Campground offers spacious campsites along the McCloud River, providing pet owners direct access to riverside trails and three scenic waterfalls without leaving the campground area. No hookups are available, though the sites accommodate both tents and medium to large RVs with paved roads throughout. Dogs can access the river from the campground for cooling off, with many visitors noting the peaceful environment despite the popular trail that runs between sites and the creek. Bears frequent the area, making proper food storage in the provided bear boxes essential for pet safety. The nearby town of McCloud is approximately 10-15 minutes away with a store and local brewery for supplies. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping and other free camping options in Shasta-Trinity National Forest provide alternatives for those seeking more primitive experiences with their pets.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near McCloud, California (161)

    1. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort

    34 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 926-2618

    "We highly recommend this campground as they have all the amenities…a general store, boat rental, cabin rental, activities for the kiddos, a dog park and pub."

    "Shasta was just around the corner from our site. Very clean, family/pet friendly, hiking, fishing, and swimming! Overall a wonderful stay!"

    2. Jubilee Railroad Wilderness Lodge & Campground was Railroad Park Resort

    16 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 235-0420

    $45 - $69 / night

    "The RV Campground is beautiful and surrounded by trees and a creek that flows behind the main RV parking area. Check in is easy. We booked ⁷online and the RV was ready for us."

    "We stayed here twice on a trip from central California to Washington. All of the staff was friendly and super helpful. The campsite was very clean and quiet. Beautiful scenery and easy to get to."

    3. Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday

    19 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 926-4029

    $66 - $149 / night

    "Pool, game room, shuffle board, basketball court and off leash dog park. Lots of trees in the sites great for hammocking (in the tent sites). I would definitely stay here again."

    "For once a KOA not next to a freeway. Off the beaten path for a change. Nice grounds. I'm in a basic cabin. It's basic. No ac just a ceiling fan. Nice small queen bed with linens."

    4. Castle Crags State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 235-2684

    $25 / night

    "From our campsite we were able to walk to the trailhead and do the crags trail all the way to the top of the rocks. Would highly recommend this campground!"

    "Oldest camping area is right next to I-5 (which was not there when the campground was built!). But there are newer camping sites farther away from I-5."

    5. Fowlers Campground

    10 Reviews
    McCloud, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 964-2184

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Super dog friendly and great river to fish from. Mccloud is about 10-15mins from the camp ground with a store and local brewery. Fowlers is a great camp spot for all trail heads either north or south."

    "Its away from the main road so no car noise. Paved road. No hookups but sites are big enough for med-large RVs."

    6. McCloud RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    McCloud, CA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 964-2252

    "Great walk with the dog. Little town of McCloud is cute!"

    "No unruly pets, children, or anything. Two things weird, 2 people per site, otherwise they charge extra fees, & they only return calls (no one seems to manage phones) once a day."

    7. Cattle Camp Campground

    13 Reviews
    McCloud, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 964-2184

    "Not far from McCloud and Weed, and easy access to Medicine Lake and other recreation areas are nearby."

    "Beautiful area, not far from McCloud."

    8. Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    8 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    12 miles

    "We stayed here exiting and entering CA. Exactly what we were looking for our one nighters. Lake Siskiyou is super close and was warm enough for a quick dip before hitting the road."

    "We did not hear any other campers even though there were at least 2 nearby. Google will try to get you to the coordinates but doesn’t know about the existence of the final dirt road to get you there."

    9. Trailer Lane Campground

    20 Reviews
    Weed, CA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 214-0010

    $30 - $60 / night

    "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!"

    "The tent only section is nicely tucked away from the RV sites. Nice for a campervan, but no hookups. Great views of Shasta and the cheapest option in Weed, it seems."

    10. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Dunsmuir, CA
    13 miles

    "Lots of spots tucked away to park next to, and even more tent spots you can walk to hidden just off the drivable areas. Saw about 5 people camping around us, mostly in cars with tents and some vans."

    "Cannot hear water the other person mentioned but also haven't walked down the road yet. 3 or 4 rigs down close by. I am in a level spot but nowhere to walk except road from here. Again, great view."

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Showing results 1-10 of 161 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near McCloud, CA

577 Reviews of 161 McCloud Campgrounds


  • Renee W.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Cattle Camp Campground

    Flat, easy, drive-in campsites near Mount Shasta

    This was a great, quiet collection of sites under tall pines. Not far from McCloud and Weed, and easy access to Medicine Lake and other recreation areas are nearby.

  • Nikki C.
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Fowlers Campground

    Basic campground with epic waterfalls

    Fowler’s is a a basic site campground, small but plenty of spots. They don’t offer much but the basic fire pit and non-flushable bathrooms but the hikes to Lower falls and Middle falls make up for it!! Super dog friendly and great river to fish from. Mccloud is about 10-15mins from the camp ground with a store and local brewery. Fowlers is a great camp spot for all trail heads either north or south.

  • Therese L.
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Ah-Di-Na Campground

    High clearance vehicle necessary. Great fishing nearby.

    17 sites at Ah Di Na and no booking is available so get here early on busy weekends.

    My partner and I were lucky to nab the last spot Thursday before 4th July weekend. Several people arrived after us and did not get a spot.

    The drive down from McCloud lake is along a dirt forestry road. It’s steep and rocky, lots of loose debris and some hairy areas that require higher clearance. A compact crossover will make it but a family sedan will not. Leave your RV at home. The road is narrow in some parts. We drove a 4runner in 2H the entire way. 2 wheel drive vehicles with good clearance will be ok in dry weather. Drive SLOWLY. The jagged rocks can shred up a tire in a hot second.

    Sites vary in size and quality. Some will have a metal fire pit while others have a stone one. Some have picnic tables and others don’t. Potable water is available and there are flushing toilets. Firewood is not available for sale here as there is no host. Either bring your own or bring a saw for collecting wood. A ranger will drop by every day to check fees and complete maintenance.

    There is a historic trail that takes you on a tour of the old resort. River access leads to a pebble beach and there are deep pockets of water for fishing. It gets crowded in the afternoon as people swim and sunbathe so early morning or late evening is your best shot at landing some fish.

    Mosquitos are everywhere so be prepared. In the early evening it got so bad that I wore a headnet.

    Walking distance to the conservancy which is down the same dirt road the campsite is on. Lots of good spots on the way too.

  • R
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Beehive Point Shoreline Campground

    Great Location With Caution

    This was a nice short distance away from the i5. Great view of greenery and lake and the night stars. If you happen to have pets be cautious there is a lot of broken glass everywhere, my dog had several cuts on her pads.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2025

    Redding RV Park

    I'd stay here again

    Full hookups in back in spot for $55. Mostly pull throughs in Park, which cost more. Shower, restrooms, dog park. Propane for sale here.

  • Suzanne P.
    Jul. 20, 2018

    Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday

    Relaxation in the trees

    Cute town and peaceful campground. Clean bathrooms and showers. Pool, game room, shuffle board, basketball court and off leash dog park. Lots of trees in the sites great for hammocking (in the tent sites). I would definitely stay here again.

  • Rachel W.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Waiiaka RV Park

    Good place to stop for the night

    We stayed overnight on the way to New Mexico. It was clean, quiet, close enough to the freeway to be convenient without being loud. Dog park and playground were small, campsite were packed close together. It was generally nice but unremarkable.

  • Peter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2023

    Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort

    Great camping for tent or RV

    We highly recommend this campground as they have all the amenities…a general store, boat rental, cabin rental, activities for the kiddos, a dog park and pub. Water, toilets and showers are readily available, though a bit in need of a good coat of paint and showers need cleaning/updating .


Guide to McCloud

Camping options near McCloud are situated in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest at elevations ranging from 3,200 to 4,000 feet. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly reaching 90°F during July and August, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures in the 60-75°F range. Seasonal campground closures typically occur from November through May due to snow conditions, with limited year-round options available.

What to do

Waterfall hikes: 3-tier journey. The McCloud River Falls Trail connects three stunning waterfalls, all accessible from Fowlers Campground. "Campground runs right along the trail and McCloud river so you can walk right from camp to fishing spots and all 3 of the falls," notes sierra F. The trail system is suitable for most ability levels with paved sections.

Mountain lakes: Day trip explorations. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers a central base for lake activities. "We rented kayaks One day and the next we rented a pontoon boat and our friends joined us. We found a rope swing hanging on a tree and tied up and did some rope swing fun into the lake," shares Margo A. Castle Lake, about 10 miles from McCloud, provides higher elevation swimming and fishing.

Fishing opportunities: Trout and more. Riverside access points along the McCloud River provide prime fishing spots. Many campgrounds offer direct river access for anglers. "The nearby McCloud river offers great fishing that can be accessed from the campground," reports one visitor. Shaded spots along the river banks make for comfortable fishing even during hot summer days.

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Peaceful forest settings. Free dispersed camping options like Castle Lake Dispersed Camping offer budget-friendly alternatives with views. "There's more than enough room for many people. There's also a small creek you can bushwhack to to the east, and castle lake is a 30 min walk up the road," notes Meatball W. These sites lack facilities but provide more privacy than established campgrounds.

Swimming holes: Natural water features. Cattle Camp Campground provides access to popular swimming areas. "Great swimming holes along the Mccloud river loop just turn left coming out of the campground and follow the paved road and signs. However swimming holes can get very crowded during holidays," advises Adam C. The water remains cold even in mid-summer, providing welcome relief from heat.

Proximity to small towns: Supply runs and meals. Many campers appreciate having McCloud and Mt. Shasta nearby for supplies. "The nearby town of McCloud is about 10-15 minutes away with a store and local brewery for supplies," mentions a visitor. Dunsmuir, located south of McCloud, also offers restaurants and a brewery for those wanting a break from camp cooking.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Planning ahead. Most Forest Service campgrounds in the area close for winter. During peak summer months, reservations are essential. "Siskiyou County campgrounds are currently full to brimming, and people are lining up at 6am for the few fcfs sites at the FS campgrounds. Reservations are all booked out until the end of August at least," cautions Kathryn T. at Jubilee Railroad Wilderness Lodge & Campground.

Wildlife awareness: Bear country. Bears frequent campgrounds in the McCloud area. "Beware of the chipmunks they will eat the food right off your plate if left unattended too long," warns Adam C. Most established campgrounds provide bear boxes for food storage, and all campers should practice proper food storage techniques regardless of location.

Cell service limitations: Disconnected camping. Cell coverage varies widely throughout the area. "We have t-mobile and we did not have a signal on the campgrounds/resort, but as soon as you get on the I-5 signal picks back up," notes Julia P. Plan routes and download maps in advance, especially if heading to dispersed camping areas.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Entertainment options. Several dog friendly campgrounds near McCloud offer specific features for children. "They have a pool, game room, shuffle board, basketball court and off leash dog park. Lots of trees in the sites great for hammocking (in the tent sites)," shares Suzanne P. about Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday.

Easier access sites: Convenience factors. Some campgrounds offer more accessible options for families with young children or mobility concerns. "Sites are much larger & more spread out than Fowler's," notes Todd B. about Cattle Camp. Paved roads throughout some campgrounds make navigating with strollers and bikes easier for families.

Educational opportunities: Nature learning. The region offers numerous opportunities for children to learn about forest ecosystems. "I'm looking forward to going back after Covid. We met our family half way and wanted a campground we could all find easily. It's a bit pricey but for the convenience it was well worth it!" explains Heather H. about family-friendly amenities at Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort.

Tips from RVers

Site selection considerations: Size and access. Many campgrounds have specific loops better suited for different RV sizes. "Sites are big enough for med-large RVs. Vaulted bathrooms get a little smelly but this place is beautiful and way less busy than Burney Falls," notes sierra F. about Castle Crags State Park Campground.

Hookup availability: Power and water. McCloud area campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. "Very nice area! Lots of shade. Small creek runs through and also a good size pond. Clean well kept park with plenty of amenities," shares Diane about one of the full-service RV parks in McCloud.

Road conditions: Access challenges. Some campgrounds have narrow access roads that can present challenges for larger rigs. "Check in is easy. We booked online and the RV was ready for us. They also allow after hour check ins," mentions Julia P. about the registration process at one pet-friendly campground near McCloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near McCloud, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near McCloud, CA is Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near McCloud, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 161 dog-friendly camping locations near McCloud, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.