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 90-100°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.
