Modoc National Forest in northeastern California offers a variety of camping environments from developed campgrounds to dispersed options. Howards Gulch Campground provides 12 primitive sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets in a forested setting. The area also features several dispersed camping locations near Lava Beds National Monument, where free camping on public lands is permitted. Hawk's Nest Tionesta RV & Cabins offers more developed options with full hookups, cabin accommodations, and amenities like showers and a playground.
Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring travel on well-maintained gravel roads while others need high-clearance vehicles to navigate rougher terrain. "This area is still recovering from a 2020 fire and there are piles of burned logs and debris all over the area, giving it a desolate feel," noted one visitor about the West Tionesta area. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from May through October or November, though some locations like Indian Well Campground in Lava Beds National Monument remain open year-round. Cell service is surprisingly available at many sites, with visitors reporting adequate coverage for both Verizon and T-Mobile in otherwise remote locations.
Campers frequently mention the quiet, secluded nature of camping in this region. Lower Rush Creek Campground receives positive reviews for its shady sites and creek access. "Shady, quiet spots, lovely creek passing through," described one camper. The area around Lava Beds National Monument provides unique geological features to explore, with several campgrounds positioned for easy access to caves and lava formations. Many dispersed sites offer fire rings already established by previous visitors. Weather conditions can be extreme, with summer heat in lower elevations and potential for cold temperatures at higher elevations. Wildlife viewing and birding opportunities abound, with Howard's Gulch being part of the Basin & Range Birding Trail system connecting northern California and southern Oregon.
"4d-120.9699697) • $12 Northern California • Basin & Range Birding Trail 15 Northeastern location
Just past a hundred miles of farmfield coming from the North"
"Its ideal if you’re coming from California and headed to Oregon. A couple hours away from Crater Lake."
"Graded dirt road a few miles from highway. Small camping area but not many people."
"This campsite is nestled in the forest away from the highway. It has cabins, RV, and tent camping available. There is a new playground for children. When you stay, a free shower is included."
"The property looked very well maintained and I would recommend it to anyone road tripping with an RV or looking to stay at a cute cabin close to the lava beds, especially considering the kind hospitality"
$20 - $35 / night
"Near entrance to Lava Beds National monument. We didn’t use the bathrooms and showers. It’s a great time of year, as the weather is nice and the crowds are small"
"Great proximity to Lava Beds National Monument. Will definitely put this on our list if we pass through again."
"We arrived around 9 pm and ended up being the only campers there, which made for an incredibly peaceful night."
"Not just because there were few campers, but its location so far from any highway or city. I would also like to give kudos to the the fire crews who saved this area from the fire last year. "
"After a long drive, we visited the Lava Tubes and found a campsite at Indian Wells. The open sky and views were gorgeous. The night sky with very minimal light pollution was even better."
"Not far from highway but little noise even if you go just a 1/4-1/2 mile in."
"Surrounding area of Cottonwood flat was burned so a lot of down trees around but road is accessible and so are campsites(6 campsites I believe)."
"There are many pulloffs down this road, I was going to go to the spot next to here that others logged, but there was a van there and it was dark so I didn’t want to wake them up by trying to search for"
"Road side area, gravel surface. Step entry off road. Creek side good for stop over. State land."
GuideBeautiful RV golf resort surrounded by beautiful landscape with great views. Park is meticulously maintained with grass areas at rv sites Golf course is in great shape and has a driving range, and golf carts. Nice clubhouse with a cafe. Nice walking paths through natural landscape. This resort is a very nice surprise. Easy late registration also.
ScoutIt was a stop on a motorcycle trip. I like peace and quiet when I'm on the bike and this place delivered. Only 1 other site was occupied. The road in is 3 miles of gravel but not bad, the campground itself required a bit more caution. No site numbers, just pick a firepit and camp. The only negative is it's hard to find anything level which can make crawling in or out of a small tent in the dark a bit interesting. Over all a nice place.
ScoutOvernight stop on a motorcycle trip. The week after Labor Day and it was just me, exactly what I needed. The road in is gravel but not bad. Pit toilets were clean as was the entire campground. I didn't take advantage of it, but there seems to be some hiking trails and the creek is quite nice.
ScoutIt was an alright spot besides the houses near by. There was no bear box in this one or the option up another mile. No one there but us.
ScoutKudos to the maintenance crew of this well-maintained fairgrounds. Beautiful green grass everywhere. Full hookups for low cost. The sound of the highway was very faint. The bathhouse could use some renovations though. Our site had a plastic dump sleeve stuck in it. Had to move to another site to dump. (Minor inconvenience) No shade at most sites, which is as expected in this part of the country, but with electric that didn't matter. Get your groceries and gas ahead of time.
GuideGot some trees. For shade. Ai wouldn’t advise anything over 26 feet long. Tight turns and narrow.
RangerThe sites are fairly close together, there are big trees, level parking, and full hook ups.
ScoutI stayed at Cassel with a group from my fly fishing club. It is old, but has everything one needs and was quiet. I stayed over Sunday night after club left and it was really nice. The sites are large and private. I can't speak to the bathrooms as I only used my own in my trailer. I wish the campground had a dump station. There is one a few miles away in Old Station. Camp hosts were pleasant and helpful.
RangerThe campsites have full hookups, and pull through. They also have laundry and showers, though I didn’t use those. There’s big trees for shade. The sites are not huge, but big enough. Would stay there again
Dispersed camping opportunities in Modoc National Forest extend across northeastern California between elevations of 4,000 and 8,000 feet. The forest spans over 1.6 million acres with distinct volcanic features and high desert terrain. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F in lower elevations while dropping below freezing at night in higher regions.
Cave exploration at Lava Beds National Monument: Drive approximately 20 minutes from Indian Well Campground to explore the largest concentration of lava tubes in the world. "Headlamp and helmet are musts. Gloves and kneepads recommended if you're planning on crawling around," recommends Dan X. The monument features over 30 accessible caves ranging from beginner-friendly to challenging technical routes.
Birding along forest trails: The Modoc region serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds. "Trails like this one lead right from camp. Bring your binoculars," notes Ryan W. about Howard's Gulch. Some campgrounds connect directly to the Basin & Range Birding Trail system that stretches across northern California and southern Oregon.
Fishing in forest reservoirs: Duncan Reservoir South Site offers free camping near fishing opportunities. "Found this unmapped camping spot by following a USFS access road to an old boat launch area," reports Cheryl M. Though water levels fluctuate seasonally, the reservoir supports trout fishing during spring and early summer months.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies with minimal light pollution make this region ideal for astronomy. "Good visibility for our Starlink. And we have T-Mobile and were able to make calls and text and access the internet," notes Hilary S. about Lava Beds National Monument Road dispersed camping area.
Quiet, uncrowded camping: Many campers appreciate the solitude found at Modoc National Forest campsites. "We didn't have too many people there but it was a gorgeous sight!" reports Christopher about Lower Rush Creek Campground. Even during peak summer months, campers can often find available sites without reservations.
Wildlife viewing: The forest provides habitat for deer, eagles, and other wildlife. "Woke up to deer in my camp," shares Mack S. about Indian Well Campground. The nearby Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers additional wildlife viewing with "a reserve where you can always see eagles," according to MarinMaverick.
Fire restrictions vary by location and season: Always check current regulations before planning campfires. "You should be careful to read about fire restrictions in the area," advises Alex P. about Lower Rush Creek Campground. Some areas maintain year-round fire bans while others allow fires in designated fire rings only.
Water availability is limited: Many dispersed sites and some established campgrounds lack potable water. "The pit toilets were decently clean, but quite dark inside. There are water spigots, but no water comes out - we later saw a sign posted saying that the water system was shut off," notes Alex P. about Lower Rush Creek.
Access roads vary in quality: Some campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "The dirt road is ok but there were a few dips and ruts that we had to go around," reports Laura M. about West Tionesta dispersed area. Check road conditions before traveling, especially after rainfall or snowmelt.
Choose sites with playground amenities: Hawk's Nest Tionesta RV & Cabins provides family-friendly facilities. "This campsite is nestled in the forest away from the highway. It has cabins, RV, and tent camping available. There is a new playground for children," notes Amber Z.
Visit during educational ranger programs: Indian Well Campground's proximity to the Lava Beds visitor center allows families to participate in ranger-led activities. "Staying at this campground makes it easy and possible to stay late exploring the lava tubes and getting right back to it in the morning," recommends The School for Y.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: "Caution. It is very hot and dry here in the summer! We go here in the spring and fall to avoid the heat," warns MarinMaverick. Even summer nights can be cool, with temperatures sometimes dropping 40 degrees from daytime highs.
Know your size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have restrictions for larger vehicles. "The loop around is tight, but you could probably get through with a 24 or 25 foot trailer if you were careful. I wouldn't try anything bigger than that though," advises Jordan B. about Lower Rush Creek Campground.
Utilize full hookup options for longer stays: Eagle's Nest RV Park offers complete amenities near Lava Beds National Monument. "Quiet, Large, pull through, full hook up sites. The internet actually works!" reports Beth D. The park also features a dump station and trash facilities.
Plan for possible wildlife encounters: Secure food storage is essential in this forest. "All pull through sites big enough to keep toad hooked up," mentions Carol about Hawk's Nest Tionesta RV & Cabins, which provides organized sites away from natural brush where wildlife might approach vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What facilities and amenities are available at Modoc National Forest campgrounds?
Facilities vary across Modoc National Forest campgrounds. Howards Gulch Campground offers basic amenities and serves as a convenient stopping point when traveling between California and Oregon. It's located a couple hours from Crater Lake. Just outside the forest, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground provides more developed facilities including updated bathrooms, showers, a general store selling supplies and firewood, plus recreational opportunities at the lake and waterfall. Many forest campgrounds feature pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Water availability varies by location, so it's advisable to bring your own.
Are there RV-friendly campgrounds in Modoc National Forest?
Hawk's Nest Tionesta RV & Cabins is an excellent RV-friendly option near Modoc National Forest. This campsite offers dedicated RV camping with amenities including free showers and regular flushing toilets. The location is nestled in the forest away from the highway, providing a peaceful setting. Another option is Sully's RV Park, which is inexpensive and easy to find when traveling through the area. It's conveniently located near the wildlife refuge and casino, with laundry facilities available. Both parks accommodate various RV sizes and provide good access points for exploring the Modoc region.
Where are the best camping spots in Modoc National Forest?
Modoc National Forest offers several excellent camping options. Payne Springs Campground in the scenic Medicine Lake Highlands is highly rated for its natural beauty and peaceful setting. For dispersed camping, Lassen Creek Campground offers a more rustic experience with no designated sites - just find a fire ring and enjoy the solitude. The forest is vastly underrated compared to neighboring forests in California and Oregon, making it perfect for campers seeking less crowded natural areas. The Medicine Lake area provides some of the most picturesque camping in the forest, with volcanic landscapes and clear mountain lakes.
Keep Exploring
