Best Tent Camping near Montague, CA
Tent campgrounds near Montague, California range from primitive sites to established campgrounds that offer basic amenities for tent campers. Several options exist including Martins Dairy Campground, located in the Klamath National Forest, which operates from June to October and receives high ratings from visitors for its serene setting. Mount Ashland Campground, situated just north across the Oregon border, offers free tent camping with spectacular views of Mount Shasta.
Most tent sites in the Montague region have limited amenities, with vault toilets being the most common facility. Martins Dairy provides drinking water, picnic tables, and fire pits at each of its six sites, while more primitive areas like Castle Lake Dispersed Camping have no facilities whatsoever. Campers should bring their own water when heading to Mount Ashland Campground as it lacks potable water sources. The region experiences seasonal closures, with many higher-elevation tent campgrounds only accessible during summer and early fall due to snow conditions. A visitor noted, "This campground is on top of the world. You can see Mt. Shasta in the distance and mountains for days! It's pretty high up therefore there's usually really cold wind."
Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, including Panther Meadows on Mount Shasta and Etna City Park. The terrain at most tent campgrounds consists of uneven, natural surfaces that may require careful tent placement. According to one camper, Martins Dairy Campground offers "ample sites with awesome picnic benches and fire pits" and maintains "the cleanest public bathroom I have ever encountered." For those seeking more seclusion, primitive tent camping options like Toad Lake require a challenging drive on rough roads followed by a 15-minute hike to reach the lake, where dispersed camping is permitted. Tent campers should be prepared for variable conditions including strong winds at higher elevations and limited cell service in more remote locations.
