Best Dispersed Camping near Red Bluff, CA
Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Red Bluff? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your California excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Red Bluff, CA (12)
1. Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
Corning, California6 Reviews•15 Photos•60 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Market
- Trash
3. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
French Gulch, California6 Reviews•18 Photos•155 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
4. 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California4 Reviews•4 Photos•99 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
5. Christie Hill Basecamp
Mineral, California2 Reviews•2 Photos•48 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
6. 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP
Mineral, California2 Reviews•2 Photos•57 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Red Bluff
21 Reviews of 12 Red Bluff Campgrounds
Claire D.
Scout
31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
Convenient dispersed site near Lassen
Same experience as the other reviews. Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right. The turnoff is on Google maps and was easy to find even in the dark. Nobody else around that we saw, even given the busy weekend! Agreed with others on the road noise but it was fine. Just a few minutes from Manzanita lake. Great find!
Casey B.
Guide
Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
A little sketchy and not much shade
The first spot you come across is super cute with little stone sculptures in the creek and a little shelter with carpet...and then you realize it's most likely a locals party zone and homeless camp. There was a trash pile, bags of potato chips...and potatoes.
The next spot was cleaner and near the water, but the circular "driveway" was tight and had very little space. This is where we stayed.
The rest of the spots weren't near water and were just open fields directly in the sun.
- Julie M.Guide
Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
Large lot, tiny dog area
The place itself has delicious food. It is also a little grocery store. The “dog area” is something they squeezed into the side of the lot. Not fenced in but there were dog poop bags when we stopped.
- RRobert N.Guide
Christie Hill Basecamp
Dispersed camping
No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully.
- EElaine S.
Traveler31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
Exactly what we needed
About one mile south of the northwest entrance, so it’s convenient. Follow the instructions from other campers as they’re spot on. We camped to the right of the road, as we saw another camp site that was filled to the right. Tent campers will have no issues finding a spot. We didn’t venture too far down the road due to having a lower car, but we had plenty of options.
Although you feel secluded, the highway isn’t too far, so you’ll have some road noise (nothing crazy). We did hear coyotes off in the distance, which is so cool and spooky at the same time. Bear activity was reported in the area before we arrived, so keep that in mind. Make sure to bring your buh spray!
Will definitely stay here again if we visit the park again. Arrived June 19, left June 20.
- PPaul T.Traveler
Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
Could not find
Because of poor reception unable to find. Definitely way out there
- PPaul T.Traveler
31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
Very much a Nike camp area, "Just Do It
Immediately prior to turning down road to Lassen turn in to dirt road. Again less than 50 yards on right is area to camp. Could also turn a big rig.
A 4 wheel drive is not required, it's just a dusty road. About 100 yards further, you could walk up the road and grab some water from the stream.
No Verizon phone or internet reception
Kevinae B.ScoutCline Gulch BLM Dispersed
Secret Hideaway
My husband and I loved this place. It was a little bumpy ride but well worth it. It was super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed. There was an awesome creek right next to us. FYI there was no phone service at all until you get by the school.
- ccassieScout
Christie Hill Basecamp
Quiet camping 4 miles outside Lassen NP
Just off the main highway. Gravel road in. We had a Ford van that had no problem driving over the dirt and gravel road. There are sites with fire rings and relatively flat ground. Great location for dispersed camping just minutes from the southern lassen entrance.
Nick C.Traveler
29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP
Limited Option Near Lassen NP South Entrance
This is a small flat area near the base of Christie Hill. The turn off of the Hwy 89 is at the McGowan SnoPark area (really just a logger's staging area). There are a handful of very rough roads one could pull off the road and camp in a tent on (or 4x4 van). For a larger RV or travel trailer, we found only one spot (40.390996,-121.540748) that was large enough to accommodate our 32 foot travel trailer. It is right along the road, but there is virtually no traffic here, so we found it acceptable.
I do not believe there are any good spots further down the road. A word of caution as well - the lake just beyond here (McGowan Lake) - is privately owned and gated. It is not available for camping.
Salvatore F.Traveler31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
Great dispersed spot near Lassen Volcanic NP
We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.
Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.
Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.
Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.
- ccScout
Perry Riffle Trailhead
Safe, simple amenities
Pitched 2 tents on asphalt. 3 other cars here. Picnic tables and an outhouse. Saw/heard great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning.
Aliza N.
Legend29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP
Dispersed camping near Lassen NP
Lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area. Most camp spots are right on the edge of the road but lots of room and plenty of privacy. Leave no trace. Pack in, pack out.
- EEric G.Legend
Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
Okay
It is a parking lot behind the Olive Pit. Lots of traffic noise. Okay if you want a free spot to sleep for the night.
Jack W.
RangerCline Gulch BLM Dispersed
Out of the way but perfect for a night
This site is nothing special but it’s the only BLM I could find in the area. We stopped on the way up to Shasta. You don’t need ground clearance or 4wd to get there. Lots of space, there will certainly be a place for you when you pull in. Only one or two other campers were there when we stayed. Nice place
- EEric G.Legend
Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
Quiet
This is a good gravel road not far from main road. Lots of spaces along road. Not busy at all. No amenities of any kind.
- Marilee D.Scout
Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
Ahhhhh the shade.........
I was so grateful for the mature shade trees that offered a respite from the hot sun. It's a very quiet spot, so keep it that way. Some riffraff staggle through but they're harmless.
Laura M.LegendCline Gulch BLM Dispersed
At Least It’s Free
We thought this might be a nice place to stay the night or even longer, but next time if we need a place to sleep we’ll just find one of the turnouts off of Hwy 299. I could see this being a good place for people who live locally to come and hang out in nature by the creek for a few days, but this isn’t a place I’d recommend as a destination. There is so much dead brush and cut trees all over the place here, possibly from cleanup after a fire? Would recommend larger rigs avoid this area due to the number of low hanging tree branches.
Also, this is a popular shooting area because we saw a ton of ammunition casings as well as broken glass and clay pigeons and other items used for target practice. Oh, and we heard a bunch of gunshots in the middle of the night.
Once you enter the BLM land area, you will cross a narrow one lane bridge. From there you can go left, through a narrow and brush and low-hanging-tree-limbed gravel road (larger rigs beware) to a small clearing at the end which is large enough for a group, but too small for more than one party to feel comfortable there.
If you turn right from the bridge you have a long road for a few miles along the creek. This road is at times narrow and bumpy with low hanging limbs, and at times wide and smooth and easy to drive. Along this road are several unmarked, undeveloped, and completely unmaintained clearings where you can camp. There are no fire pits or any other indication that it’s a camp site (which is a good thing because per the info board fires aren't allowed). We did pass one trailer that appears to be residing here permanently.
The public road eventually dead ends about 2 miles in and turns into private property, at which point there’s a large-ish space where you can turn around.
Zero cell service, though the WeBoost gave the Verizon phone a couple of weak bars. The T-Mobile hotspot and the ATT cell phone were not improved by the WeBoost.
Jody S.GuideOlive Pit Dispersed Lot
Over nighter at the Olive Pit
Not much to say similar to rest stop. Spent evening in their parking lot that does say no parking unless your a customer. I went in and purchase couple jars of olives to take to Slab City with me as trading stock now I’m a customer (happy face). No one messed with me and it was decently quiet. Only two other rvs. Super small dog potty area too but it’s their yay.
- Jody S.Guide
Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
Guy and his dog at a Pit Stop?
Spent the evening in the RV/Truck area after stocking up on some Olive stuffed garlic and artichokes. Mmmm. Was quiet besides the obvious freeway intersection area near by but NOT complaining. Easy boon-docking. Small pet area. Well lit if you park under a light. Safeway,Burger King, Taco Bell, Auto parts store lots more in little area around The Olive Pit. Basically park and walk to get shopping done. Boom. Hope this helps a little.
Chanel C.LegendOlive Pit Dispersed Lot
Convenient location for boondocking
PROS:
+ FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.
+ Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening! Signs say for Olive Pit Customers Only but we spent 2 nights here (along with a few other campers) and no one ever disturbed us.
+ Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs).
+ Huge lot with lots of available spots. Around 10 spots for larger trailers and RVs, and lots of small spots for campervans and car rooftop tent campers. We saw 4-5 other campers around us who mostly were very private and to themselves
+ Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket. The lot shares the same entrance as the Shell Station and Olive Pit Cafe & Store where you can conveniently pick up food/beer/supplies.
+ The Olive Pit has a great cafe and wine tasting room. They sell specialty items such as olives, balsamic vinegar, etc. And they have a great breakfast!
+ There is a giant dumpster for trash disposal behind the Olive Pit
+ There is also a pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves.
+ Lots of palm trees in the backdrop giving the place a very California vibe.
CONS:
+ No tent camping, unless it's a car rooftop tent or a pop-up tent trailer
+ No fires/no showers/ no toilets (Although you can walk to the Shell Station to use their toilets which were super clean and well-maintained.)
+ Loud 24 hour carwash at the Shell station. Usually quiets down around 9 pm
+ Bright security lights in the parking lot. Just don't park directly under one. There are a few darker and less lit spots
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Red Bluff, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Red Bluff, CA is Olive Pit Dispersed Lot with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Red Bluff, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Red Bluff, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.