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Mount Shasta in Northern California offers campgrounds ranging from full-service RV parks to primitive dispersed sites. The area includes Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort, offering tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options at the base of Mount Shasta. Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday provides year-round camping with full hookup sites, cabins, and tent camping within walking distance of town. Several dispersed camping areas can be found near Castle Lake, providing free primitive camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience.
Camping availability in the Mount Shasta region follows seasonal patterns, with most developed campgrounds operating from April through October. Winter snow and spring melt impact accessibility, particularly at higher elevations. Castle Crags State Park remains open year-round but with limited winter facilities. Travelers should be prepared for temperature fluctuations, as nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer periods, especially in dispersed camping areas. According to one visitor, "It's about 2 miles from the I5, which eliminates road noise, while still being an excellent overnight stop."
Campers consistently mention the scenic qualities of the Mount Shasta area, with views of the mountain available from many camping locations. The developed campgrounds provide amenities like showers, electricity, and recreation facilities, while dispersed sites offer more solitude but require self-sufficiency. Mount Shasta City KOA features "lots of trees for shade, solid fire ring, polite staff" and serves as "a great location for exploring the Mount Shasta area." Several reviews highlight the region's cooler temperatures compared to surrounding areas, making it a refreshing summer destination. Visitors appreciate the proximity to hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor recreation opportunities, with Castle Lake dispersed camping offering direct access to alpine lake swimming and hiking.
"There are numerous spaces and you can really get far away from people if you'd like to- as the bulk of them stay nearest the water. "
"All the spots were pretty big, beautiful forest and some nice trails nearby. About a 30 minute drive from the bunny flat trail at mount shasta."
"Great black berry picking through out the campsite and a short walk to Mount Shasta city down town area.
It fills up fast so it's best to make reservations.""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."
from $66 - $149 / night
Check Availability"Nice walk up to the tent sites for epic view of Mount Shasta. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Fun bonus to visit the goats and chickens."
"A quaint little old campground tucked into the forests of Siskiyou County, with the most spectacular views of Mount Shasta from its chaparral covered hilltop, we felt like we had found a hidden gem."
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This is a great campground, and the locals will tell you all about the history of the railroad and the pushers for the trains to climb mount Shasta."
"There is a short hike at nearby Hedge Creek Falls and you are close to Mount Shasta. "
from $45 - $69 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a great little campground located right near a beautiful lake and some great hiking."
"Years ago you could camp right on the lake in primitive walk in spots, now that is not allowed. "
"Great location and spacious. Gorgeous Views Of Mount Shasta. Within Walking Distance To Restaurants And Convenience Store. Clean And Remodeled Restrooms/Showers. New Pet Areas"
"We had requested a pull-through and at first I was a little disappointed to find that our spot was right next to the entry road. "
from $40 / night
Check Availability"One of the first most breath-taking spots we’ve found with views of Mount Shasta. This place was so good, we had go back for several days just to stay. This is a stay a week worthy place."
"This spot is great, plenty of space, quiet, great views of Mount Shasta, easy to access."
"Great walk with the dog. Little town of McCloud is cute!"
"We enjoyed the pizza and beer at the little micro-brewery at the entrance to the park. They are no longer brewing their own beer and they hope to sell the place soon. Pizza was excellent."
TravelerWay out of the way and worth it. There’s also tons of dispersed camping off the dirt roads. There is NO CELLPHONE RECEPTION, I used Starlink to add this so I don’t want anyone mislead.
TravelerThis is just a big dirt pull out basically. Yes there is a phone. No water, no vault toilet, no fire pits or bbqs
TravelerGreat little spot, no camphost and essentially no people besides a few that would roll in late and be gone by dawn. There is water but it’s not potable. There’s a water fill station in town at the local market, about 20 minutes from the campground. Loved our spot but if you’re wanting shade then I would use a different spot. Boat ramp is overgrown and muddy but was being used by a local rafting company in the am.
GuideSmall pond, lots of flys. But very peaceful. People floating in their floats on the water. Lots of chipmunks for the dog to chase. There is a pit toilet, pretty decent shape
GuideQuiet loop with bathrooms. 4 sites total including the hike & bike site. Lots of privacy and cover. Site 24 not level but not bad for a van. You do hear the highway and trains at night. Quick drive and walk to the Crags Vista.
ScoutPerfect location right along the beautiful McCloud River and just a short distance from Lower McCloud Falls. The campsite was comfortable, and the campground was clean and well-maintained. A great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area!
GuideOriginally we were at Salt flats i believe and had a bad experience there and came here. It is stunning and very spacious, there are fire pits around also. I will say the road coming in is a bit treacherous but we made it in and found a nice spot.
GuideWe noticed there were a few people when we stopped but at first it was no big deal, this wasn't the first time camping with others. But as the sun was starting to set more people showed up, fireworks were going off, music was getting louder and we had to leave as we were not going to get any sleep.
RangerAfter several nights of free dispersed camping, we decided to spoil ourselves with a paid lakeside campsite for the showers, amenities, and fire pits. Our stay cost about $50, plus an additional $10 fee for our dog.
The biggest downside is that the RV area is essentially just a parking lot. It’s completely exposed, with little to no shade, and can be windy and quite hot when the sun is out. The beach itself is nice, and there’s a boat launch if that’s what you’re coming for.
We were disappointed to learn that the showers are not included and require an additional fee. We didn’t check the exact cost, but it wasn’t worth it to us, and we ended up rinsing off in the lake instead. The fire pits and covered pavilions are available in the day-use area and are only a short walk from the parking lot, but they are not located directly at the RV sites. Also worth noting: dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Amenities include an RV dump station, potable water fill, restrooms, and showers. Access is easy, with paved roads and large, accessible parking areas.
One other thing to be aware of is that you still need a National Park pass in addition to paying for the campsite.
Overall, I’d recommend this more as a day-use destination or for travelers in larger RVs who want convenient amenities. If you’re overlanding or traveling in a truck camper, there are better and more scenic options available nearby.
Mount Shasta camping options extend beyond traditional sites to include unique settings at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 5,800 feet. The Sacramento River headwaters originate near Mount Shasta, creating numerous waterways through the surrounding forests. Temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night are common even in summer months, making layered clothing essential for campers throughout the season.
Fishing at mountain lakes: Castle Lake offers excellent alpine fishing opportunities in crystal-clear waters. "The lake is crystal clear and very serene" with "direct access to alpine lake swimming and hiking," according to a visitor at Castle Lake Campground.
Train-themed exploration: The area's railroad history provides unique camping experiences. "There is a teeny store with some basic supplies and snack foods, and ice and wood available for purchase, wifi advertised, as well as a swimming pool" at Jubilee Railroad Wilderness Lodge & Campground, where "guests have the option of bringing their own RV, staying in a tent, or lodging in train cars that have been converted into hotel rooms."
Hiking to viewpoints: Multiple trails provide views of both Mount Shasta and surrounding landmarks. "The hike up to Heart Lake and Castle Peak is one of my favorites in the area! On a clear day, you can see some of the mountains in Oregon!" shares a camper who stayed at Castle Lake Campground.
Secluded forest settings: Dispersed camping areas offer privacy while maintaining accessibility. At Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, campers appreciate that "it's a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right."
Wildlife sightings: The Mount Shasta region supports diverse wildlife visible from campsites. "Have seen deer and bears here," notes one camper who visited Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort. Another mentioned "We took 2 small children in a rented camper and went to this lake in a recommendation from friends in Mt. Shasta... we were not disappointed!"
Waterway access: Creeks and streams run through many campgrounds, providing natural water features. At McCloud RV Resort, "a stream runs through the park (kids played in). Really enjoyable and we have been here before and had to return."
Bear safety requirements: Bears are active throughout the Mount Shasta area. "I am not aware of any bad bear encounters where people or bears have been injured, but you may want to check with the ranger station about bringing bear spray," advises a camper at Castle Crags State Park Campground.
Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience highway sounds. "The campground is RIGHT next to I5 so be prepared for noise," notes a Castle Crags visitor, while another mentions that "being close to the freeway you can here traffic but it honestly wasnt too loud."
Limited site availability: Small campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Castle Lake Campground has "only 6 sites on the campground and we were lucky and got the last one available. It's a perfect amount of space between campsites, and it's free. 3 night maximum."
Kid-friendly water features: Shallow streams provide safe play areas for children. A visitor to McCloud RV Resort mentioned "A stream that runs through the park (kids played in)" and "a good size pond. Clean well kept park with plenty of amenities."
Family activity options: Multi-generational activities can be found throughout the area. At Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort, "there was tons of people there fishing, hiking, paddling, taking pics... We've been coming here for years."
Secure sites for children: Choose campgrounds with appropriate facilities for young campers. "This is a neat little mountain campground with a nice little lake" that's "great for families" according to reviews from Mount Shasta camping locations.
RV size considerations: Narrow roads limit access for larger rigs at some locations. "Tight turns in our 43' motorhome with toad," reports a camper at Trailer Lane Campground, though "our site was level and that is a big plus!!"
Hookup variations: Water pressure can be challenging at some campgrounds. "The water is great! Pure and cold. However, it is high pressure. It exploded our water hose! After that we learned to place our pressure regulator valve right on the faucet," warns an RVer who visited McCloud RV Resort.
Pull-through site availability: Limited pull-through sites book quickly during peak season. "Our packet was waiting for us when we arrived, our pull through site was level and the owners were very nice. The park is perfect for a short stay and we will make this a regular stop on our route," reports a visitor to Trailer Lane Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots near Mount Shasta?
The Mount Shasta area offers excellent camping options with stunning views. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort stands out with spacious sites, forest surroundings, and amenities including a lakeside water park, making it perfect for families. The clean swimming lake serves as an ideal base for exploring the Mount Shasta wilderness. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Castle Lake Dispersed Camping provides quiet surroundings with magnificent Mount Shasta views. While some areas may be inaccessible during snow season, there are plenty of spots for tents and vehicles just off drivable areas. Other notable options include Sand Flat Wild Camping with its sacred atmosphere and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park for waterfall enthusiasts.
Is RV camping available at Mount Shasta?
Yes, Mount Shasta offers several excellent RV camping options. Friendly RV Park provides spacious sites with gorgeous Mount Shasta views, clean remodeled restrooms/showers, and convenient walking distance to restaurants and stores. The park is particularly beautiful in fall and offers easy pull-through sites. Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday is another excellent choice for RVers, offering well-maintained facilities and good-sized campsites while remaining peaceful despite having numerous amenities. For those exploring the broader area, McCloud RV Resort near McCloud provides full hookups and big-rig-friendly spaces. Most RV parks in the region are open year-round, though winter access may be weather-dependent.
What amenities are available at McBride Springs Campground near Mount Shasta?
While specific recent reviews for McBride Springs Campground aren't available, this Forest Service campground typically offers basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water during the main season (usually late spring through fall). The campground features approximately 10 sites situated in a forested setting with some sites that can accommodate smaller RVs and trailers, though no hookups are available. For those seeking more amenities, nearby alternatives include Trailer Lane Campground, a quaint, well-maintained option, or McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground which offers flush toilets and showers. Always check current conditions before visiting as amenities may change seasonally.
Do I need reservations for Mount Shasta campgrounds?
Reservations are highly recommended for most developed campgrounds around Mount Shasta, especially during the peak summer season (June-September). Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort becomes particularly crowded during summer months, making advance booking essential. For RV accommodations, places like Friendly RV Park also fill up quickly during the high season. However, dispersed camping options such as Sand Flat Wild Camping and Castle Lake Dispersed Camping operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. National Forest campgrounds in the area typically have a mix of reservable and first-come sites. During off-peak seasons (late fall through early spring), finding spots without reservations becomes easier, though weather conditions may limit accessibility.
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