Best Campgrounds near Shasta, CA

Campgrounds near Shasta, California range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV parks across the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. The region includes established options like Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground with its creek-side sites and Horse Camp Primitive Campground with basic amenities. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from Oak Bottom Tent Campground supporting both tent and RV camping to Mountain Gate RV Park offering cabins and glamping opportunities. Free dispersed camping exists at locations like Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed area, while lakefront options include Beehive Point Shoreline Campground near Lakehead.

Summer temperatures frequently reach the 90-100Β°F range, while nights can drop significantly cooler, especially at higher elevations. "Even with the campground almost full, it's quiet and peaceful," noted one camper at Peltier Bridge. Most established campgrounds in the Whiskeytown Recreation Area require advance reservations through recreation.gov, while BLM dispersed areas operate on a first-come basis. Many campgrounds show evidence of past wildfires, with the Carr fire having affected tree coverage in several locations. Cell service varies considerably across the region, with several sites noting limited or no coverage, though some RV parks provide Wi-Fi access. Potable water availability differs between primitive campgrounds and developed RV facilities.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings, with several campers highlighting the benefit of creek or lake access during hot summer days. A visitor to Peltier Bridge mentioned, "The creek is super beautiful. 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." Site spacing varies considerably between locations, with primitive campgrounds typically offering more privacy than RV parks. Campers frequently note the cleanliness of facilities even at primitive sites, with pit toilets generally well-maintained. For RV camping, several parks near Redding provide full hookups with 50-amp service and amenities like showers, laundry, and dump stations. Tent campers particularly value sites 8 and 9 at Peltier Bridge for their seclusion and proximity to the creek.

Best Camping Sites Near Shasta, California (214)

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Recent Reviews near Shasta, CA

509 Reviews of 214 Shasta Campgrounds


  • Bobbi lee H.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Lakehead Campground & RV Park

    Owner occupied rustic campground lots of good campsites and also some RV sites to plug in there is little cabins cabin tents type of uret and are great people here there's bathrooms in showers places to have picnics and then the back of the campground I'm sure you can bring a horse show and unload your horses and put up your own you know little enclosure pack with panels off of your horse trailer they don't mind dogs they're good people here it's right off I-5 down the road a bit there's more campgrounds in this area and it's just beautiful here I live at this campground there's only a few of us that are allowed to but it's open year round there's a pool a pool hall laundry services here also the owner is wonderful his name is Cecil

    Oh it's fun here I'm a quarter mile from Shasta lake we have a lot of people that come in for festivals up here lots of huge groups of people lots of families lots of boats lots of water sports everything you can imagine there's a few good restaurants up here but most of us love to barbecue and have a good time but the restaurants are awesome too they're all family owned and they're great the Klondike is my favorite

  • Bruce E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Forest Glen Guard Station

    2 night stay

    Fantastic spot to just get away. Spacious and well stocked kitchen. Having full amenities except for garbage was really nice. We just took our garbage to the campground across the river. The small riverside access along the creek was perfect to relax and let the dogs swim. Definitely be returning. The forest glen cg across the river is 1st come 1st serve as well.

  • avery R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Manzanita Lake Campground β€” Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Showers and indoor plumbing!

    If you like camping with modern comforts, this is your spot. They even had laundry (you’ve got to bring cash though). It’s busy, so it won’t be quiet, but it was a great place to meet people.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Sacramento River RV Park

    Nice place, clean and quiet

    The bathrooms are meticulously fussed over, laundry is clean, people are nice. 5 is a bit noisy but you get over that, reasonably priced.

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Manzanita Lake Campground β€” Lassen Volcanic National Park

    Excellent NPS CAMPGROUND

    Simple but beautiful campground. Use Recreation.gov to reserve a site. If you dont have reservation you still need to log into the site to claim a spot. Fortunately there is wifi at the visitor center (not at the park store).

    Keep in mind that there is no water available. Need to bring your own.

    Also, no cell service but campground is sparsely tree covered. We were able to use Starlink just fine at our site.

    Lots of hiking nearby.

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort

    Nice but crazy smokey from campfires

    Checked in on a saturday night and got an RV campsite. The map showed the aote as being close to the water but uou ate actually quite a ways and cant even really see it.

    Site included a table and fire ring. Relatively spacious. Bathrooms not far and clean.

    On a down side, campground was super smokey. Felt like we were in the middle of a fire. Ugh. Would have tried to move if we were not so tired.

  • P
    Sep. 13, 2025

    JGW RV Park

    On the river!!

    We like this place in Redding. We have a 24’ motorhome and get spots on the river. It’s very nice to sit and look at river. Big grassy area to walk dog and enjoy river under shade. Reasonable price. Nice staff. Water does seem cloudy so be sure to run it before you hook up. I have had to clear out my faucet filter twice.

  • Kathleen M.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Castle Lake Campground

    Quiet and beautiful!

    I loved my 2 nights at Castle Lake Campground.Β  I was the only one in the 6 campsites until late the first night. When I left, 4 sites had been used. I went in off season so it was quiet. No water, bring your own. But the sites are large and private and the trees are beautiful. All the downed firewood has been picked, but if you go up to the overflow parking area at the lake, there is a lot of downed wood there.

    There is a small creek that runs behind the campground that you can hear quietly running.

    The lake is a short walk up the hill (or drive) and has a couple of short hikes and a longer hike. Very popular. The lake is crystal clear and very serene.Β 

    The pit toilets are clean and there are bear proof trash cans. Of my 3 campsites on this trip, this one was the best.


Guide to Shasta

Camping near Shasta, California offers visitors direct access to several shoreline camping options along Whiskeytown Lake and Shasta Lake where water levels fluctuate seasonally. The Shasta region contains over 200 miles of hiking trails with varied terrain from lowland forest to high mountain paths. Winter nights at higher elevation campsites often drop below freezing, while summer midday temperatures can exceed 100Β°F.

What to do

Boat-in camping access: Beehive Point Shoreline Campground allows campers to arrive by water or land, with many spots directly on the shoreline. "We stayed on a Thursday night until Friday morning and there were only a few other people there, we couldn't see any of them from our spot so we felt totally isolated," notes one visitor to Beehive Point.

Explore burned forest regrowth: Horse Camp Primitive Campground offers unique opportunities to observe post-fire forest regeneration. One camper noted, "The only negative was the Carr fire that burned many trees in the area," providing educational opportunities to observe ecosystem recovery in action at Horse Camp.

Creek and river access: Many campsites feature water access for cooling off during hot summer days. A visitor at Peltier Bridge mentioned, "Nice little spot next to the water, first night was peaceful there's no other people reserving any of the campsites so we got lucky."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a key factor in their experience. At Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, a camper noted, "Sites are nicely spread apart #8 #9 being the best that were open. Not RV accessible tent sites."

Clean facilities despite primitive status: Even rustic sites maintain good standards. One camper at Peltier Bridge stated, "Pit toilets are very clean!" while another added, "This campsite was very nice and clean. Each spot was decent. #6, 8, and 9 probably your best bets if they are open."

Night sounds: Natural soundscapes enhance the camping experience. At Cline Gulch, a visitor appreciated that "Even as close to Redding as this was there were no highway or 'civilization' sounds at night which was awesome. Plenty of frog noises though!"

What you should know

Fire restrictions vary: Many campgrounds have seasonal fire restrictions. At Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed area, visitors should check current regulations as one camper advised, "Rock fire pits which are hopefully more for marking individual spots rather than actual fires, since fire danger is always high in this area."

Road conditions: Access roads to several sites require careful navigation. A visitor to Beehive Point warned, "The last bit of road gets really winding and narrow," while another noted, "High clearance helps to get to some spots but we did make it all the way through with our minivan after a little trial and error."

Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers different experiences. A Beehive Point camper explained, "There was a sign on the boards stating that it is currently off season and there are no fees and no services. Not sure when the season begins and what services are offered, but in early May there were no garbage bins or toilets."

Tips for camping with families

Best family swimming spots: Oak Bottom Tent Campground provides family-friendly water access. "We scored ourselves a really cool spot right along the water," noted a visitor at Oak Bottom, adding that high water levels make for ideal swimming conditions.

Site selection for kids: Choosing the right campsite makes a difference. A family at Oak Bottom recommended, "The best site is SC14 because it has its own beach entry cove to the lake and it is large and shady. The next best sites are C22 and C21 (in that order) as they are large and flat and closest to the public beach for water access."

Educational programs: Several campgrounds offer children's activities. "Sign up for the free kayak tours and paddle board programs. The kids also have free JR. Ranger and JR. Firefighter Programs to earn patches and there are free evening family movie nights too," advised a regular Oak Bottom visitor.

Tips from RVers

Hookup options: For RVers needing amenities, Mountain Gate RV Park provides full service options. "Clean bathrooms, showers, zero trash around. All around a great visit. Perfect spot if you are traveling with a pet," wrote one RVer, noting the well-maintained facilities.

Self-contained camping: Some campgrounds cater specifically to RVs with limited amenities. "Nice huge site with basically your own valued bathroom one other campsite shares. Perfect for dry camping with your RV if you want some extra quiet and privacy you could rent both sites at $20 each," suggested a visitor to Horse Camp Primitive Campground.

Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for extreme temperature swings. "The kids loved playing and swimming in the river. One star off because there is quite a bit of trash at the entrance of this place, lots of broken glass so keep your shoes on, and the mosquitoes were bad when the sun started to go down but wasn't a problem with a fire, thermacel and bug spray," warned a camper at Beehive Point.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best times of year to go camping in Shasta?

The best time to camp in Shasta is late spring through early fall (May to October). Summer (June-August) offers warm temperatures perfect for enjoying water activities, but this is also the busiest period. Castle Lake Campground is particularly popular during summer months, so arrive early to secure a spot. Fall brings beautiful colors and fewer crowds, making September-October ideal for a more peaceful experience. Castle Crags State Park Campground remains a fantastic option into the fall months with its scenic trails and impressive rock formations. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, but many campgrounds close seasonally, and snow may limit accessibility to higher-elevation sites.

What are the best campgrounds in Shasta, California?

Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort stands out as a top option with spacious sites, beautiful forest surroundings, and convenient amenities including flush toilets, showers, a cafΓ©, and water equipment rentals. Many campers consider it one of northern California's most perfect lake destinations. For those seeking stunning mountain views, Castle Lake Dispersed Camping offers a quieter, more remote experience with plenty of space and excellent views of Mount Shasta. Other excellent options include Castle Crags State Park for its hiking trails and natural beauty, and LOGE Mt Shasta for those wanting more amenities like WiFi and a coffee shop.

Do I need reservations for camping at Shasta Lake?

Reservations are highly recommended for camping at Shasta Lake, especially during peak season (summer months). Lakeshore Villa RV Park and other developed campgrounds around the lake can fill up quickly. For those seeking alternatives, Trail In RV Park & Campground offers camping options close to the lake and also recommends securing reservations ahead of time. Some dispersed camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but these also fill quickly during summer weekends. Plan to book several months ahead for holiday weekends and at least a few weeks in advance for regular summer stays.