Best Tent Camping near Modoc National Forest

Tent Camping Reviews near Modoc National Forest

187 Reviews of 10 Modoc National Forest Campgrounds

• 

  Ryan W.

  Legend

  Aug. 18, 2017

  Howards Gulch Campground

  Howard's Gulch Campground in Modoc National Forest

  Howards 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.

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• B

  Benjamin C.

  Guide

  Jun. 16, 2016

  Camp 4 Group Campground — Shasta Trinity National Forest

  first come, first served

  site: no privacy. shaded. bear box at site. amenities: not many bathrooms. no showers at campground. attractions: near to the main attractions in the park. If I was okay with first come, first served I might camp here. (others told us a person has to arrive VERY early to get a spot- like 5am/6am)

• 

  Bill T.

  Guide

  Apr. 8, 2021

  McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground

  Quiet campground next to busy day site

  Where 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.

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• 

  MarinMaverick

  Legend

  Sep. 30, 2020

  Northshore Campground

  Dusty Campground on Lake Britton

  There is also a north campground called northshore on Lake Britton.  This is a review of the very small but great Dusty Campground. on the south eastern side of the lake.  I am a tent camper so reviewed from that perspective. Not sure trailers could get down there.

  It is very small - less than 10 sites, but each is right on the lake.  Lake Britton is great - seldom crowded during the week.  You can fish, boat, kayak etc.  But be aware that for "swimming" late in the summer and early fall it "mucks" up with algae so is really not for swimming then.

  These sites are on the lake under oaks and pines. The campground is run by PG & E. The water comes from their Pit River complex and is regulated.  There is a large dam at one end of the lake.

  There  are vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is no water.

  You are real close to McArther Burney Falls State Park.

  If you are into fall colors this is the place.

  Be aware - no rservations - first come first served.

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• 

  Angie M.

  Traveler

  Sep. 2, 2020

  Pit River Campground

  Empty

  So nice! 8 camp spots sites are super close to the river. Great fishing, swimming lagoon, picnic tables, fire rings ( no fires right now ), vault toilets, and quiet. We were literally the only people who were camping. Paved road and stunning views

• 

  Bill T.

  Guide

  Apr. 8, 2021

  Indian Well Campground — Lava Beds National Monument

  Quiet Island

  This is undoubtedly the quietest campground we have ever visited.  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.  The visitor center and campground are an island of green in the middle of a charcoal land. 

  I would categorize it as a tent and teardrop campground.  There are some sites where larger RVs can park, maybe around 25', but most campground spaces will only hold the car.  They have a lot parallel RV parking and that requires you sign up for two spaces, one for your trailer, the other for your car.  The lower campground, A, is more open, great if you have solar.  The upper campground, B, has more spaces and some for larger RVs.  

  The drinking water faucets are irregularly dispersed and few.  You cannot hook up to them to fill your RV, so be sure to bring some 5 gallon containers to haul water to your RV.  There are flush toilets and sinks with cold water, no showers.  Bring all your supplies, as the nearest town is about a 40 minute drive.  There are very solid metal fire rings and picnic tables.  The closest dump station is in Tule Lake, but is excellent, with water and good drain positioning - and its free.

  We had excellent Verizon service and were able to surf the internet, load and download pictures without using any booster.  I was also pleased to get a staff member directly when I called for information.  There is a lot to see at this park and I highly recommend it.

  PS The helmet they sell ($8) saved my head many a time during cave exploring.

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• R

  Randy B.

  Traveler

  Aug. 10, 2019

  Northshore Campground

  Small and cozy campground on the north shore of Lake Britton

  This campground is situated on the north shore of Lake Britton, CA. directly across the lake from the McArthur-Burney Falls campground. It offers 30 campsites, many with a view of the lake, and has coin-operated showers and vault toilets available in the campground. A camp supervisor/host is on site. All camp sites have fire rings and picnic tables but no food lockers. For boaters there is lake access and room for anchoring at the shore. The fishing here is a short walk to the shore and there is a small swimming area as well. There are no RV hookups present.

• 

  Azizah T.

  Ranger

  Jun. 4, 2020

  McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground

  Prettiest waterfall I’ve seen

  I have camped at burney falls twice. My first time camping here I stayed in the little cabins they have. (Memorial Cabin Area) That was pretty awesome it’s just a small cabin that has a bed, all cooking and hanging out is done outside the cabin. It has a little porch was pretty cute. The downside to this campground is that it’s pretty obvious that visitors feed the squirrels. The squirrels were more than accustomed to coming right up to us. I put groceries on the picnic table and was unloading the car and squirrels literally ran to the table to attack. I was more than annoyed by this because I don’t interact with wildlife, for their safety to the public who may harm them. My second time staying I tent camped and the first night it rained. (Pioneer Campground) This was no huge deal to me because from what I’ve learned about the outdoors is you’ll never get the weather you expect haha. The next couple days weather started clearing up but was still cloudy. We hiked down to the water fall which is so breath taking and then hiked out to the lake. They have a souvenir shop, firewood and restrooms right on the campground. There’s a small town about 15-20 minute drive to shingle town that normally has little outside events.

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• 

  Jessica F.

  Guide

  Sep. 25, 2016

  Shafter Campground

  Nice remote site, train noise is minimal

  Off season visit, Sept 13: After a long bike ride through the National Forest, I arrived after dark. The campground was empty when I arrived, but one truck pulled in just after me, which was a little freaky. Another truck pulled in a few minutes later, and they both headed to the other side of the campground, and everything was fine.

  There seemed to be two sizes of camp sites, but it wasn't clear in the dark how they differed. I may have ended up in the double, but I only paid for a single, $15, I think. The vault toilets were decent, the water from the spigot was good. There weren't any bear boxes, but the trash was a bearproof unit.

  The trains could be heard much of the night, but they were far enough away to be a low rumbling rather than a heart-stopping clatter. Occasionally they would blow their horns, but it didn't seem like they did every time. Much quieter than the previous night at McArthur-Burney at a site next to the highway. I would choose Shafter for noise every time.

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