RV camping near Platina, California offers varied options for travelers navigating the mountainous terrain of Trinity County. Located between Redding and the coast at approximately 3,600 feet elevation, Platina experiences hot summers that often exceed 90°F and cool winters with occasional snowfall. Road accessibility varies seasonally, with Highway 36 presenting steep grades that require careful driving, especially for larger vehicles.
What to do
Hunting opportunities: Critter Creek Campground & RV Park serves as a base for hunting expeditions. "Stayed there last year and got a nice buck. Good spot for hunting," notes Anthony L. The property connects directly to public hunting lands as another camper explains, "Awesome place, amazingly helpful and kind owners... the property backs up to nothing but days and days worth of b-zone land."
Fishing access: Multiple waterways near Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort provide fishing opportunities within short drives. "We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck," shares Corey L. The Trinity River is within walking distance, with "access to the river right around the corner."
Water activities: During summer months, families enjoy swimming and cooling off in nearby waterways. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, "Just around the corner from the campground (walking distance) is access to the river. The whole family enjoyed dipping in when it's warm outside," mentions Jason D. JGW RV Park offers direct river access with "nice river spot, full hookup."
What campers like
Shade coverage: Many campgrounds in the region feature tree cover that provides relief during hot summer days. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, visitors appreciate that "the park has lots of trees for shade and the spaces are wide." Similarly, Mountain Gate RV Park offers "sites level and little road noise from highway."
Clean facilities: Travelers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and grounds. At Boulder Creek RV Redding, campers note "lovely landscaping, great amenities (including a small gym with free weights), super clean and functional bathrooms." Mountain Gate RV Park receives similar praise: "Super clean & quiet... probably one of the most cleanest campground and facilities I've ever been to."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to highways, several parks maintain peaceful environments. Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort visitors mention "even though they're close together with no privacy it was an amazingly quiet park." JGW RV Park offers "quiet park with a serene riverfront spots," while another visitor calls it a "nice river spot, not crowded space."
What you should know
Payment preferences: Some smaller operations have specific payment requirements. At Trinity Alps RV Park, "We paid $25 dollars to the helpful host. She asked for cash." Similarly, check-in procedures vary, especially for late arrivals.
Site sizes and limitations: Campgrounds have varying capacity for larger RVs. At Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, "Biggest I would put in here would be about a 30 foot trailer. You have to disconnect your tow vehicle." This contrasts with larger parks like Mountain Gate RV Park with concrete pads that can accommodate bigger rigs.
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in Redding and surrounding areas. One JGW RV Park visitor noted, "We stayed overnight on our way home. Nice river spot, full hookup. It was hot (it is summer Redding)." Winter travelers should check ahead as some facilities reduce operations during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water access for cooling off. Durango RV Resort (now Red Bluff KOA Journey) features a "pool was refreshing in 95 degree heat," while Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot visitors mention "The pool was amazing and the shuttle was great considering the heat."
On-site amenities: Facilities with entertainment options help keep children engaged. Durango RV Resort was noted as "a great place to keep the kids entertained and give adults some time to relax," while another family mentioned "our kids loved ending our weeklong road trip here!"
Dog-friendly areas: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with designated areas. JGW RV Park offers a "big grassy area to walk dog and enjoy river under shade." Boulder Creek RV Redding provides "a small dog run for some off-leash time" according to visitors.
Tips from RVers
Cell service: Mobile connectivity varies throughout the region, with better coverage in established parks near Redding. At Mountain Gate RV Park, one camper noted "Our Starlink worked extremely well here," offering an alternative for remote workers needing reliable internet.
Access considerations: Navigation requires planning, particularly west of Redding. For Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort, a visitor mentioned it was "about 30 mins from Redding. It was an easy tow on rural but well maintained roads all the way to the campground. Easy tow for my 25.5 foot travel trailer."
Leveling and site configuration: Many parks offer level sites, though configurations vary. Mountain Gate RV Park visitors note "sites level," while Rolling Hills Casino Truck Lot features "level 75 ft pull through sites" that accommodate larger rigs. When traveling during busy periods, reservations are recommended for most parks.
