Modoc National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Modoc National Forest is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.
$20 - $35 / night
"He not only let us fill up, but offered to let us dump if we needed to (we didn’t).
The campground is in a meadow-line setting at the end of a quiet road."
"This place is out of the way a little from the main highway. However, friendly staff and clean bathrooms and showers."
$42 - $75 / night
"We are winter camped here for a couple of days on our way to Mexico... The Dyrt spotted this campground for us on our route and we are sooo glad... We will make this a destination in the future."
"I was only going to stay 3 nights and i have extended for 7 night. Great owner ! Wide open sites. There are lots of trails I can take my dog for walks."
"Inexpensive free shower and had access to do laundry. Worked well for our camper van.
Close to the wild refuge. Walked the 3 mile loop before heading out of town."
"It is small (only 5 FHU sites) and has a number of permanent residences (who are quiet, and their residences are generally well maintained), but the RV sites are level, showers/bathrooms are clean, they"
"It has 30/50 Amp electricity and full hook ups. It is right off of Hwy 395 and very peaceful and quiet. Close to the wildlife refuges."
"* 22 RV sites, 10 rustic cabins, 8 tents, group site
- shower house
- Full hookups *playground structure
- Our friends and we had the place to ourselves."
"RV are full hookup. Showers, laundry and friendly staff. Easy, close drive to Lava Beds National park"
$20 - $42 / night
"Check in was easy and we proceeded to back-in site 14 with FHUs. The road at the site was wide so back-in was easy."
$45 - $50 / night
"Full hook ups. Bathroom and laundry room with key pass combo ."
GuideWhere camped here just after they opened in April, 2021. The daytime visitors made for a large crowded parking lot and line at the entrance station, but so far on 8 campers in the 64 sites that were open.
It is a wonderfully shaded park (i.e. no solar) and the sites are nicely separated. However it is an older park and our 18 foot trailer was too large for many of the sites. There were no pull throughs and any trailer over 25 feet is going to have a problem. Otherwise, for the most part the pads were paved and flat.
They had solid picnic tables, aging stone fireplaces, but nice, newer heavy metal fire rings. Wood was available for purchase. There is no electric on site and the water faucets (not threaded) were scattered around the site. No dish water dump or cleaning station, but there was an RV dump station. They flush toilets with hot and cold water sinks as well as the showers (2 tokens for $1 = 4min) are excellent.
This is a cell dead zone. Absolutely no Verizon service until you drove back to Burney.
We really enjoyed the different hikes that were available, being around 2 miles more or less in length. The falls are the usual tourist zoo, but very beautiful. Once you get out on the trails, you don't see many people.
LegendHowards Gulch Campground • Modoc National Forest • $12
Northern California • Basin & Range Birding Trail 15 Northeastern location
Just past a hundred miles of farmfield coming from the North we enter the Modoc National Forest, and turn left against our GPS’ wishes into Howard’s Gulch Campground (Forest Service). Pay attention to the signs. It's analog but it's right. It’s a small, primitive camp in Northern California with 12 sites. Two which are walk in only and none which are for large RV’s. The fee is $12 which is significantly more than the next campground down the road which is free, but the consistency of the Forest Service sites makes it worth it.
The trees are tall and red, and according to a conveniently placed sign, coniferous. There are also signs indicating common birds of the area and their habitats, along with a 1.5 mile trail built by the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and the California Department of Corrections. The trail has been dedicated “for your hiking pleasure…” This campground is also part of the Basin & Range Birding Trail system of Northern California and Southern Oregon.
Like all forest service campgrounds there is a fire pit and a picnic table in each site. Most of the sites are spaced relatively privately, but since you’re in the middle of nowhere you’ll probably be sharing the camp with one, maybe two other campers. In addition, some sites have a stand alone charcoal grilling set-ups.
Trails like this one lead right from camp. Bring your binoculars.
There are plenty of water taps. At least five, but since it isn’t potable there isn’t really much benefit. Since the water is being “treated with chemicals” I wouldn’t even recommend boiling it for use leaving it for the dousing of fires, but the camp is under no-burn restrictions. Rightfully so, considering the summer California has had so far.
Toilets are standard vaults, but there are three of them for 12 sites. Two of which are recent new builds. Being low in the gulch you’re surrounded by walls on three sides to the outer side of the camp loop. The inner loop still backs up to a cliff wall for an unusually located tall mound...and OHMYGOD MY WIFE JUST CHOPPED HER THUMB! SHIT! SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!
...
The reason to camp here is…you’re on your way somewhere else most likely. Coming from Oregon to Yosemite or Tahoe or vice versa. But if you do you won’t be disappointed and if you like birds you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The nearest town is at least 20+ miles if you need anything so come prepared. My Wife's thumb is fine by the way. Despite a serious scare at the time. She field dressed it like a boss using our first aid kit (which we've since upgraded). She'll have a reminder scar, but her badass level went up like a million points. I give Howard’s Gulch 3 Tent Stakes of Awesomeness for being a solid campground with nice sites and trails leaving right from camp but not much else going on. Also, there is no indication of who Howard is. I certainly didn't meet him.
Pro-Tip #1: Prepare for summer heat. You aren’t at elevation here.
Pro-Tip #2: Bring binoculars.
Pro-Tip #3: Bring water and anything else you might need. No place near by to get anything.
Guide
LegendAs a native Californian I’m pretty ashamed I hadn’t explored Modoc much prior to this recent experience. It’s right up there with neighboring national forests in both California and Oregon in terms of its beauty but it’s vastly underrated.
“Located in the scenic Medicine Lake Highlands, Payne Springs is surrounded by many attractions. This campground is adjacent to the Modoc Volcanic Scenic Byway and the Lava Beds National Monument is located near by. It is a great place to visit and learn about the local geology and history. There is no drinking water. There are picnic tables and fire pits at each site with fair road conditions getting to the sites.”
First come first serve.
GuideNice campground with a few fairly private sites. Some highway noise but not terrible. Family friendly campground for sure. 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. Side note: beware of the chipmunks they will eat the food right off your plate if left unattended too long.
GuideIf you need a spot dont moss this one! Easy access from highway though only a 1/4 mile to CG sign . Did not see a Howard's Gulch sign. Clean, quiet, some road noise IF a vehicle goes by. Lots of trees, a short hiking trail, good tasting water. Probably won't accommodate big rigs 35' max????
GuideA quiet little campground with 7 private sites. $12/ night, $6 for Senior Pass holders. There is a camp host who was helpful and provided free firewood. On a Monday afternoon in June there were several sites available but it mostly filled up by evening. There is a very nice day user area with river access, picnic tables, grills, fishing and a boat launch for canoes or rafts. The one downside was the whine of a power generating turbine that went all night. Clean vault toilets. Some mosquitos in the evening and mooring, but not bad.
RangerWe love coming to the TuleLake Fairgrounds. It has 30/50 Amp electricity and full hook ups. It is right off of Hwy 395 and very peaceful and quiet. Close to the wildlife refuges. If you have Passport America, you get half off the $36.00 night fee.
RangerThe name is Medicine Lake campground. Stayed here in June 2020, had to camp at overflow because the lake loops were all full. Nice, clean, well kept. Pit toilets were clean. Fire pits and picnic table at each site. No cell service whatsoever. Paddled Medicine Lake, beautiful but buggy. Lots of mosquitos and lake flies. Lots to do nearby, Lava Flow NM, lava tubes, giant obsidian flows, hiking trails. Remote but beautiful. Lots of dispersed camping also available in the Modoc NF.
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