Paula P.
Guide
GuideThe Village at Highlands Ranch
This place is glamping at its best! Ample sites, close to the NP, laundry, two restaurants on site, gift shop, etc
Glamping near Chester, CA
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Plumas Pines Resort and Last Chance Creek Campground house Chester's premier glamping accommodations surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern California. Luxury safari tents at Last Chance Creek feature comfortable queen-sized beds with premium linens, solar-powered lighting, and private decks overlooking the creek that runs directly beside the campground. At Plumas Pines, elevated glamping pods include modern amenities such as electricity, kitchenettes, and climate control, while select units offer lakeside views with furnished balconies. Both destinations provide easy access to Lake Almanor, with Plumas Pines situated directly on the water. The eco-friendly geodesic domes at Silver Bowl complement the natural surroundings while offering upscale comfort. One guest shared, "As a beginner RV-er/camper this site was great. Great staff, easy to get to and find your spot, and convenient spots with decks and hookups."
Hiking trails accessible directly from the glamping sites connect guests to the Caribou Wilderness and Lassen Volcanic National Park, located just 30 miles from several glamping locations. Water activities dominate summer experiences, with boat rentals available at Plumas Pines Marina where staff provide personalized guidance for first-time visitors. The Village at Highlands Ranch offers a more upscale glamping experience with an on-site restaurant and bar featuring panoramic forest views from its dining deck. Winter glamping options remain available at select locations including Almanor, which maintains heated safari tents year-round. Stargazing experiences are particularly notable at Silver Bowl Campground, where minimal light pollution creates spectacular night sky viewing opportunities. A visitor noted, "There's a beautiful view here, and a lot of peace and solitude. Paddle board paradise, though."
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Chester (26)
1. Almanor
"Boat ramp is at the North campground, but if you just have a paddleboard or kayak, you can just walk to the water by just waking down the road and launch at the edge of the lake. "
"Nice distance between most sites."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $100 / night
2. Plumas Pines Resort
"Great staff, easy to get to and find your spot, and convenient spots with decks and hookups. The neighbors were also awesome, and helped us with questions and guidance."
"The sites are close to each other, but every site has a small balcony you can back up next too. Majors Outpost boat rentals are also here and they are Super Friendly."
Check Availabilityfrom $54 - $150 / night
3. Summit Lake North — Lassen Volcanic National Park
"Great location to hit all the tourist spots, this campground is right on the main road. Easy access to trail to more remote areas as well. When the campground is full, it is too busy for my tastes."
"These sites have a beautiful view of the lake. We get up early and set up our blanket and chairs in our lake spot."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 / night
4. Last Chance Creek Campground
"This campground is about 4 miles off highway 36. Horseshoe pits are right across from camp host. Was very quiet"
5. Benner Creek Campground
"I’ve had campfires fires here no problem. Existing fire rings. Plenty of wood in surrounding area but you can’t buy it, forage only. Chester is close enough to shop in."
6. The Village at Highlands Ranch
"Ample sites, close to the NP, laundry, two restaurants on site, gift shop, etc"
"The people were friendly and the bathroom was super clean. I would stay here for tent camping too."
7. Silver Bowl Campground
"Silver Bowl campground is located in the Caribou Wilderness of Lassen National Forest outside of Lassen National Park. It is about 35 miles from Susanville and 30 miles from Chester."
"The campsites are pretty large but you definitely can see and sometimes hear the people near you. Vault toilets, well for water. Maybe a quarter mile from the easiest place to get into Silver lake."
8. Merrill Campground
"Grew up camping here as a child and have so many great memories of Eagle Lake. Unfortunately things have changed quite a bit due to the shift in climate in the area."
"Right on Eagle Lake in Lassen National Forest, this campground has a mix of electric and non electric sites with views of the lake. Clean bathrooms with mirrors, flush toilets but no showers."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $80 / night
9. Battle Creek Campground
"There is swimming and fishing within walking distance. There were also plant of spots available."
"The beauty of a lovely camp like this is the interlude of serenity you experience, away from the busyness of our daily routines, rules, and limitations. It is a beautiful, clean camp."
10. Lake Haven Resort
Drive Time
- 1 hr 37 min from Redding, CA
- 2 hrs 4 min from Reno, NV
- 2 hrs 5 min from Yuba City, CA
Recent Glamping Photos near Chester, CA
11 Photos of 26 Chester Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Chester, CA
103 Reviews of 26 Chester Campgrounds
- EEmily M.
ScoutHat Creek Resort & RV Park
It’s pretty empty this time of year. Was informed it will close for the season next week. Camp sites are oddly marked. Lots of trees to navigate around. But spacious. Tent and RV Camp spots as well as cabins. Internet is the fastest I’ve seen at a park 40mb download. There is road noise at night so pick a spot in the back. Showers and bathrooms are very clean.
- JJacqueline S.
TravelerThe Village at Highlands Ranch
Friendly and clean
I used this RV park while roadtripping in a van. The people were friendly and the bathroom was super clean. I would stay here for tent camping too.
Josiah D.GuideManzanita Lake Camping Cabins — Lassen Volcanic National Park
Cozy but no electric
Generally if I'm getting a cabin and paying extra for it I would like it to have electric. They did have propane heat though which is nice. That aside, the location is great. $5 for shower access for the duration. Close walk to the lake. Lots of wildlife.
Kurt T.TravelerAlmanor
Not a positive review
SAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
Heather E.GuideMerrill Campground
Quiet Campground with Stellar Sunsets
Right on Eagle Lake in Lassen National Forest, this campground has a mix of electric and non electric sites with views of the lake. Clean bathrooms with mirrors, flush toilets but no showers. If you want a shower, bike, walk or drive down to the marina where they have private rooms for showers. Boating, kayak and paddleboard in addition to fishing (water is high alkaline which makes for big trout). Quiet campground with big sites.
- Kurt T.Traveler
Almanor
For the North Campground, what a shame and serious safety issues for all.
Simply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
Michelle H.GuideSummit Lake North — Lassen Volcanic National Park
Excellent place to visit Lassen NP!
We’ve camped here every year for the past five years. This was the our first trip with our new to us travel trailer. We book six months in advance and always get sites B2 and B3. These sites have a beautiful view of the lake. We get up early and set up our blanket and chairs in our lake spot. The lake is big enough to paddle board and kayak but small enough where you can keep an eye on your kids the entire time.
Zero hook ups whatsoever, but you can use the dump station for free at Manzanita lake on your way up to fill your freshwater and then dump on your way out. Summit Lake North has flush toilets and sinks, I believe Summit Lake South Campground only has vault toilets.
Park Rangers patrol through every once in a while and the bathrooms are cleaned and stocked daily.
There is no cell service but if you drive about five minutes up the hill, you can get some service. It is a short drive to Kings Creek Falls and about a 15 minute drive to bumpass hell.
Highly recommended.
- CChristian R.Guide
Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins — Lassen Volcanic National Park
Very Cozy
We arrived very late our first night, but it was very easy to get into our cabin using the code that was emailed to us when we booked the reservation. Due to weird bookings, we had to book 2 different cabins so we got to experience 9 and 16, each of which had a heaters, which is nice for the cold nights. Despite the campground being nearly full, we got great sleep both nights and everything was quiet after 10PM. There are multiple water pumps, vaults, toilet bathrooms, and bear trash cans, each of which are maintained very well. The campground is also not too far from the museum and visitor center which have Wi-Fi. You also have a campground store that is walking distance fro the campground, but is unreasonably expensive. A bundle of firewood was somewhere around $14, and this is where the showers are which were like $5 per person. They also have gas pumps, but neither of them were in service. Aside from all this, sites themselves were amazing, and you are very close to the Manzanita Lake, which is bigger than I expected and seems to be very popular for fishing.
Guide to Chester
Chester, California sits at the northeastern edge of Lake Almanor at 4,534 feet elevation, with camping options spread throughout the surrounding Lassen National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, while nights cool significantly to 45-55°F even in peak season. Winter conditions bring substantial snowfall, limiting campground access mainly to May through October.
What to do
Fishing at Eagle Lake: Merrill Campground offers excellent trout fishing with bald eagles frequently spotted. "We stayed here for 4 nights and loved it. The lake is appropriately named as we saw bald eagles daily," notes camper Lori T. The campground connects to the Eagle Lake Recreation Trail for additional exploration.
Hiking into wilderness: The Silver Bowl Campground provides direct access to the Caribou Wilderness. "You can also walk over the hill to Caribu lake which was gorgeous," reports camper August M. The campground serves as a basepoint for day hikes or backpacking trips through the surrounding forest.
Mountain biking: Paved and unpaved trails near Almanor Campground offer cycling options for various skill levels. "There is a General Store within walking distance and restaurant/bar right on the lake too," mentions Kurt T., highlighting amenities accessible by bike from camp.
What campers like
Quiet off-season camping: Fall visitors to Almanor Campground appreciate the reduced crowds. "It definitely gets busy here in the summer but my stay in October was peaceful. Nice distance between most sites," reports SupTard.
Large, private sites: Battle Creek Campground features spacious sites with natural separation. "The campground is really wide open and the spots are really large," notes Jeff B. Many sites offer shade for both tents and trailers.
Accessibility to water: Location on or near water bodies ranks high with campers. "Paddle board paradise," writes Kate A. about Summit Lake, while Susan R. mentions how "Creek runs right by the campground" at Last Chance Creek, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
What you should know
Seasonal closures and partial openings: Campground availability varies widely by season. "North is open, South is closed for Summer 2024... I camp here on the South campground at least once every year. For the 2024 season, they CLOSED it at the last second," warns Kurt T. about Almanor Campground.
Road conditions: Access to remote glamping sites near Chester can require navigation of rough forest roads. "The road in is dirt and pretty long but my Toyota Camry made it no problem," notes August M. about the route to Silver Bowl Campground.
Wildfire impacts: Recent fires have affected some camping areas. "Fire hit this area hard and lots of burned trees and logging going on in the area. We used to come here a lot but its depressing to see so much destruction and hazardous trees," reports Alex about Benner Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be prevalent, particularly near water. "Mosquito Mahem in Summer... There's a beautiful view here, and a lot of peace and solitude- as long as you're willing to share the space with mosquitos!" warns Kate A. about Summit Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Chester, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Chester, CA is Almanor with a 2.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
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