Near Round Mountain, California, the primitive camping landscape sits at elevations between 3,000-7,000 feet within volcanic terrain of the Cascade Range. The region features primarily porous soil from ancient lava flows, creating excellent drainage for dispersed camping but challenging anchoring conditions in some sites. Camping areas range from dense pine forests to exposed meadows with variable overnight temperature drops even in summer.
What to do
Fishing access: Big Pine Dispersed Camping provides creek-side opportunities for freshwater fishing. "Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast," reports one camper, noting the creek's productivity for anglers.
Creek exploration: The waterways near Big Pine Dispersed Camping offer seasonal exploration opportunities. A visitor mentioned finding "black raspberries along the creek" during summer stays, adding natural foraging to recreational options.
Mountain biking: Forest service roads surrounding dispersed sites provide extensive terrain for cycling enthusiasts. Many routes connect to wider trail networks with minimal technical difficulty but considerable elevation changes.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours increase chances for wildlife sightings. The areas near Christie Hill Basecamp frequently host deer and various bird species. "We heard coyotes off in the distance, which is so cool and spooky at the same time," notes one visitor.
What campers like
Seasonal creek sounds: 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping offers sites near flowing water. One camper described their experience: "It's next to the creek and we fell asleep to the sounds of the flowing water," highlighting the natural ambient sounds that enhance overnight stays.
Privacy between sites: Spacing between camping areas creates natural boundaries. "Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between," observed a camper at Big Pine Dispersed Camping, noting the considerable distance between occupied sites.
Morning shade: Many sites benefit from tall tree coverage. A visitor at North Manzanita mentioned their site was "very shaded in the morning which is always nice," providing temperature regulation during summer months.
Strategic positioning: Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed offers sites with direct water access. "Found perfect site to feet from the river," reported one camper, highlighting the proximity to water that many visitors seek.
What you should know
Variable cell coverage: Communication capabilities differ dramatically between sites and carriers. At North Manzanita, a camper reported "1 bar AT&T, no service for Verizon," while noting "Starlink worked great as always" for satellite internet users.
Road dust conditions: During dry months, vehicles create significant dust clouds on access roads. "If I had to say one negative it would be the dusty road, but it's absolutely worth coming back," noted one North Manzanita visitor.
Volcanic soil challenges: The ground composition affects site selection and vehicle positioning. At Butte Creek, a camper warned about soil conditions: "The ground here is loose volcanic sand. I wouldn't recommend a heavy trailer rig or RV without 4x4."
Insect populations: Seasonal bug activity requires preparation. "We woke to find 8 other dead ticks in our bed," reported one Cline Gulch visitor who ended up cutting their trip short due to tick concerns.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water play: Perry Riffle Trailhead provides family-friendly water access within walking distance. "It's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river," notes a visitor who used the river to cool off during hot summer days.
Wildlife education opportunities: Morning and evening hours offer chances to observe and learn about local species. Multiple sites report owl sightings and coyote vocalizations that can become educational moments.
Navigation preparation: Teaching navigation skills becomes practical in this region. Several reviews mention GPS inconsistencies, making this area useful for teaching map reading and landmark identification to older children.
Trail connections: Family-appropriate hiking paths connect to many dispersed sites. "Several horse and hiking trails start from here," mentioned a Perry Riffle visitor, highlighting the recreational options available directly from camp.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Carefully assess vehicle length compatibility before committing to forest roads. "We found a could spots that our 38ft fifth wheel could fit," noted a camper at Big Pine Dispersed Camping, indicating that while larger rigs can access some areas, options become more limited.
Turning radius planning: Advance planning for turning and positioning prevents complications. One Castle Lake visitor with a truck and 12ft trailer reported: "Super easy to get in, but took a long time to turn around and get back out. Anything bigger than and you're probably stuck."
Utility management: No hookups require self-contained systems. A visitor at Big Pine noted: "Water, dump, and trash are available at Old Station Visitor Information Center just north (RV sewer dump closes mid October)," highlighting the regional resource planning necessary.
Ground firmness assessment: Testing ground stability before fully committing prevents issues. Reviews consistently mention the volcanic soil's poor weight-bearing properties during certain seasons, with multiple reports of vehicles becoming stuck.
