Best Tent Camping near Redwoods, CA
Tent camping near Redwoods, California offers several options ranging from established campgrounds to more remote dispersed sites. North Battle Creek Campground and McCumber Reservoir Campground provide tent-specific sites within reasonable driving distance of Lassen Volcanic National Park, with McCumber Reservoir situated approximately 15 minutes from the park entrance. Christie Hill Basecamp offers a more primitive dispersed camping experience just 4 miles outside the southern entrance to Lassen National Park.
Most tent sites in the region feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between established and dispersed areas. Hat Creek Dispersed camping area requires a short drive over rough terrain before opening to expansive meadows suitable for tent camping. Christie Hill Basecamp requires careful navigation for low-clearance vehicles, with recent logging activities affecting site availability. Many established campgrounds offer vault toilets and trash collection, while dispersed areas generally require pack-in, pack-out practices. One visitor noted, "This was a great campground, managed by PG&E. It's pretty small, which made it much more quiet than other campgrounds." Water availability is inconsistent across locations, with some sites offering drinking water while others require campers to bring their own supply.
Tent campers frequently appreciate the relative seclusion available at these locations compared to larger developed campgrounds. The walk-in sites at North Battle Creek Reservoir provide direct lake access but require transporting gear from the parking area to the campsite. A camper shared that "the campground is approximately 30 minutes off of Hwy. 44 on dirt forest service roads" but the roads were in good condition. Tent sites in this region often serve as excellent bases for exploring nearby hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and stargazing. Sites near water bodies like Hat Creek offer fishing opportunities, while those at higher elevations provide cooler temperatures during summer months. Forest cover varies by location, with some sites offering significant shade from redwoods and manzanita, while others may have been affected by past wildfires.
