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Camping areas surrounding Platina, California include several established campgrounds within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Deerlick Springs Campground and Basin Gulch Campground provide tent camping options in forested settings, while Post Creek Guard Station offers cabin accommodations. The region includes both primitive sites with minimal amenities and developed campgrounds with facilities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from May through October, with limited winter accessibility due to mountain terrain and weather conditions.
Road access to many campgrounds requires careful navigation on forest service roads, particularly after winter or during spring runoff periods. The camping season generally runs from late spring through fall, with most facilities closing during winter months. Campgrounds at higher elevations may have shorter operational seasons. Several sites require advance reservations through recreation.gov, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly in more remote camping areas. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months due to wildfire risk. One camper noted, "We stayed here for 4 days. Huge campsite with view of the lake, room for a few tents and a hammock. Can collect dead wood for the fire. Swimming, fishing and boating."
Trinity Lake and the surrounding waterways provide popular recreation opportunities for campers in the Platina area. Fishing, swimming, and boating access points are available at several campgrounds, with bass and catfish commonly caught in local waters. Campers report wildlife viewing opportunities including osprey, bald eagles, herons, and hawks. Sites with lake or river views tend to fill quickly during summer months. Forested campgrounds offer shade during hot summer days when temperatures can reach into the 90s. Several visitors mentioned the importance of being prepared for limited services. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "If you are looking for a quiet campground I would look elsewhere. Dogs and children were up at 5am. There were multiple dogs barking all day." Campgrounds closer to highways may experience some road noise, while more remote sites offer greater solitude.
"The drive in could be a challenge for an RV, so I'd caution anyone to check it out first, before pulling a trailer in. They have pit toilets and fire-rings in most sites. "
"Advanced hiking 3k-6k summit peek, beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky."
from $40 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Non-potable) nearby spring was great for filtering or the 1/4 mile down to creek and swimming hole. There are 2 new full size mattresses and a 2 burner Coleman stove."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"This beautiful campsite is located about 5 miles off of Highway 36 just before patina if you’re coming from the west.There’s rivers that run through it they have racks to hang the deers,Bathrooms multiple"
"While I generally like campsites close to the river, those set against the hill seem to provide a little more shade and privacy."
"This campground is tucked down from the road and into a fairly narrow canyon. The trees are mostly oak, madrona, fir and pine, with the occasional mountain ash."
"6, 8, and 9 probably your best bets if they are open. 4 and 5 are right next to the entrance. There's a small narrow dirt road, but easily doable even in a loaded down sedan."
"Just me and one friend stayed overnight, very nice area, creek right next to spots. A little bit of a walk to the bathroom though."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Because it's the shoulder season, their were fewer people there, which allowed us to have more space... no one in adjacent sites."
"Our site had private water access and was a good distance from adjacent sites. I really can't say enough good things about my time here."
TravelerWe 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.
RangerWe visited in early June, and you could tell the season was starting to pick up. There were several RVs, trailers, cars, and groups of people coming and going throughout our stay. Thankfully, everyone was friendly and respectful, creating a great atmosphere.
At first, I thought the campsite would be too close to Interstate 5, but once you make the drive in, the highway noise becomes minimal. You can barely hear it. The area feels fairly secluded, although the parking lot itself is very open and doesn’t offer much privacy from neighboring campers.
Having bathrooms and trash service was a fantastic amenity and something I’m not always used to finding at spots like this. There is some tree cover, but by early June the daytime sun was already getting quite warm. Fortunately, the evenings cooled off nicely and were very comfortable.
The bugs were a little bad during our stay, but our Thermacell handled them well. Starlink worked great, and there was enough sun exposure for solid solar charging during the day.
Access is easy, with paved roads nearly the entire way.
I’m giving this spot four stars. It’s a comfortable and convenient place to stay, but the immediate views aren’t particularly spectacular. However, a short walk from camp rewards you with some beautiful prairie-style scenery that is well worth exploring.
RangerWe arrived late after dark and found the area to be quite far off the beaten path. It was another overnight stop for us while traveling through the area.
We located the designated spot, but the signage was confusing. There were numerous signs stating “No Camping” and “Day Use Only,” even though there were established fire pits present. It was difficult to tell whether the specific area we were in allowed overnight stays while the surrounding area did not.
The river was nice, and the area itself is pretty. However, the road leading to the site is rough and best suited for 4x4 vehicles. There is also a fairly steep downhill section to reach the parking area.
One positive was the solitude. We didn’t see a single vehicle pass by during our entire stay, so it was very peaceful and quiet throughout the night.
I’m giving this location one star, not because of the scenery, but because of the confusing camping regulations. If the camping situation had been clearly marked, I would probably rate it two or three stars. Stay at your own risk and verify the rules for yourself before spending the night.
There are no hookups, no water, and no amenities. At least from the spot where we stayed, there wasn’t even a maintained trail down to the river.
TravelerWhen I first got here it was great everyone looked out for each other made meals together helped each other now not so much
TravelerBeautiful spacious spots. Very friendly check in
ScoutFirst Campground out of Paskenta, Ca. Small spot with a few campsites. Nice restroom we use when we camp nearby every year
ScoutAmple drive thru rv sites that are shaded by huge trees and surrounded by spacious fields of grass. Lots of room between sites. Access to Sacramento River and hiking trails a short distance away. Water spigots scattered thru out the campground. Stayed on a Monday and it was quiet and not very busy.
GuideWe were traveling on a long journey and were not going to make our intended destination. Shasta Lake was nearby. I was very worried it would be full, but when we got to the dam, the guard said the campground had openings. You cannot book the day of, so we went and selected a site (First come, First served). Do have cash or check on you.
The site has vault toilets that were pretty clean. Husband had not ever been to the desert southwest or California, so the number of fox-tails was shocking to him, but it was not to me. Our dog brush, a quick rub hands-on rub down and sticker removal, and the broom kept the van floor from becoming our enemy in the middle of the night. Because we were not doing long-term camping, we did not bring our sand mat. If we had it to do again, we would as it would make the transition into the van or tent much easier. Call that advice you don't have to take. We observed non-potable water on site. Otherwise, this is a boon dock type site, but you have a space, a fire pit, a picnic table and - again - vault toilets.
We saw some butterflies that appeared to be coming out of their cocoons. We kept the pets at bay and enjoyed seeing them for such a long time.
The site does have a lot of motorsports activity (ATV, Motorcycles) but we also motorcycle so we were at home. There were hikers and plenty of other campers there as well.
I had not ever been to this part of the state before and was worried about the campsite being full, but we were very fortunate and would definitely come by here again. The view are utterly breathtaking.
Camping spots near Platina, California sit within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 4,000 feet. The region experiences hot summers with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cool nights dropping to the 50s. Most primitive campgrounds in this area don't have drinking water available, requiring campers to bring their own or filter from natural sources.
Hiking and summit views: Advanced hikers can tackle trails near Deerlick Springs Campground with elevation gains of 3,000-6,000 feet. One visitor noted, "Advanced hiking 3k-6k summit peek, beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky."
Swimming in natural waters: The Trinity River offers cooling relief during hot summer days. At Douglas City Campground, the river flows directly behind campsites. According to a camper, "The river is accessible from any site, some small rapids in spots, slow water in others, with occasionally deeper pools here and there."
Hunting opportunities: Fall hunting season draws visitors to campgrounds in the B-zone area. Critter Creek serves as a base for hunters, with one camper reporting, "Stayed there last year and got a nice buck. Good spot for hunting."
Secluded natural settings: Many campgrounds offer genuine forest immersion with minimal development. At Philpot Campground, campers appreciate the isolation: "It's secluded with beautiful green forest all around and there's a bunch of campsites no power no water but great hunting and trails."
Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A visitor to Post Creek Guard Station shared, "The views & privacy are breathtaking!! The star gazing was amazing."
Natural water features: Creeks and rivers enhance many camping experiences in the area. At Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, one camper valued the "great water sounds all night" and mentioned they were "right next to a creek/river."
Limited facilities: Most campgrounds offer basic amenities only. At Shell Gulch Campground, there's "just a couple of sites and some trash cans" with "a nice creek and there is a fish ladder just down the way."
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful navigation, especially for larger vehicles. Regarding Post Creek Guard Station, one visitor advised: "Took Tedoc rd going in. Long, dirt, rocky rd not recommended for passenger vehicles. Our transit connect was fine, but slow going, just enough clearance."
Variable water levels: Reservoir and creek levels fluctuate significantly by season. At Scott Flat Campground, visitors noted that "the lake was super low last year" despite the water being "beautiful."
Swimming hole access: Look for campgrounds with safe water access points for children. At Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, families appreciate sites near water: "Creek right next to spots. There's like 9 or so sites all pretty far apart. The creek is super beautiful."
Campsite selection: Sites 8 and 9 at Peltier Bridge are recommended by multiple families. As one camper noted, "Sites are nicely spread apart #8 #9 being the best that were open."
Temperature planning: Prepare for significant day-to-night temperature swings. A camper at Peltier Bridge observed, "It was really hot during the day like 90s but site #9 is shady and the river is freezing so it's easy to stay cool. Gets pretty cold at night."
Size limitations: Most forest campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Douglas City Campground, the pads "fit all sizes of trailers and RVs; a 40'+ pulled in this afternoon" but this is uncommon for the region.
Access challenges: RV travelers should scout roads before attempting them. Regarding Deerlick Springs, one camper cautioned, "The drive in could be a challenge for an RV, so I'd caution anyone to check it out first, before pulling a trailer in."
Limited hookups: Most campsites near Platina lack RV services. At Critter Creek Campground & RV Park, one of the few sites with hookups, visitors appreciate "hot showers after really long days" of outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping in Platina, CA?
Platina and its surrounding areas offer several camping options in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest region. Basin Gulch Campground is located near Platina and provides basic facilities with toilets. For a more developed experience, Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area offers clean sites with decent spacing. Look for sites #6, 8, and 9 for the best experience. The campground is accessible via a narrow dirt road that's navigable even with a sedan. Remember to purchase your pass online before arrival.
What are the amenities at camping areas near Platina?
Camping areas near Platina offer varying amenity levels to suit different preferences. Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort provides a well-supplied store with camping necessities and is about 30 minutes from Redding on well-maintained roads. Tannery Gulch Campground offers well-shaded sites, some with lake views, picnic tables, fire rings, and select sites have bear boxes. Most public campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables, while RV parks typically offer additional services like water hookups and shower facilities.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Platina National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest area surrounding Platina, though there is no official "Platina National Forest." Olive Pit Dispersed Lot provides free overnight parking for RVs and camper vehicles in a safe location. For a more traditional dispersed camping experience, Mendocino National Forest Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area offers boondocking options near the Sacramento River. Standard dispersed camping rules apply: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, practice Leave No Trace principles, and limit your stay to 14 days within a 30-day period. Always check current fire restrictions before making plans.
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