Best Dispersed Camping near Shasta Lake, CA

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Shasta Lake, CA

27 Reviews of 17 Shasta Lake Campgrounds

• 

  Aliza N.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 1, 2022

  29N22 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.

• 

  Salvatore F.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 7, 2023

  31N17N - 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.

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 21, 2021

  Cline 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.

• 

  Karen T.

  Traveler

  

  May. 24, 2021

  North Trinity Lake

  a lovely area

  • dispersed camping
  • no amenities
  • a beautiful open field with the woods in the back and Trinity lake in the front
  • you could camp in the open field or in the woods
• c

  cassie

  Scout

  

  Aug. 7, 2023

  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.

• D

  Doug W.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 27, 2023

  Hat Creek Dispersed

  Great Camping

  As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking.

• E

  Elaine S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 20, 2024

  31N17N - 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.

• 

  Jack W.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 26, 2022

  Cline 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

• 

  Sadie P.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 24, 2025

  Perry Riffle Trailhead

  Ok for a parking lot

  The good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.

  The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.

  That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.

  It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.

  I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.

  Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management

• 

  Kevinae B.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 21, 2024

  Cline 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.

• 

  George B.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 19, 2018

  Mt. Shasta Area

  A mountain that soars above

  Mt. Shasta is a place that’s beautiful from every angle. If you’re on the road or on the mountain all it does is takes your breath away.

  Stay where it’s more comfortable for you but at least go and stay and see this beauty!

  Winter time really is its best time but beware and plan ahead, a lot of the camp sites are closed in that time of year!

• P

  Paul T.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 6, 2024

  Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

  Could not find

  Because of poor reception unable to find. Definitely way out there

• 

  Casey B.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 19, 2024

  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.

• E

  Eric G.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 19, 2022

  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.

• c

  c

  Scout

  

  Jun. 18, 2023

  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.

• 

  Mckenna S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 9, 2023

  North Trinity Lake

  Beautiful spot!

  This was a perfect spot for a quick one night stay as we were passing through. The coordinates were off though and it took us up to a private residence road so I would not follow that. There’s multiple side dirt roads leading down to the lake from the main road so I would just look for those. Beautiful views at night and in the morning! It was wide open with no other campers in site.

• 

  Ryan Z.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 9, 2021

  North Trinity Lake

  Not accessible

  The coordinates and GPS lead to a random part of the highway surrounded by hills. Not real or inaccessible in vehicle, lake may be dried up.

• R

  Rick F.

  Traveler

  

  May. 7, 2020

  North Trinity Lake

  Gorgeous Lakeside Camping

  This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities.

• C

  Cury H.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 12, 2018

  Mt. Shasta Area

  Beautiful

  Shasta is breathtaking pictures can’t do it justice A place to experience lakes streams hiking camping boating snow sports water sports the great outdoors !!

• 

  Karin P.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 1, 2023

  Castle Lake Campground

  Nice area

  As of May 31st there isn’t access to some areas as there is snow blocking the way, some areas are wet from the snow that has already melted. The toilets up at Castle Lake are still covered in snow and inaccessible. Pack in pack out. Other than that nice peaceful area, you can hear the river running, and has a nice view of Mount Shasta.

• 

  Kelly V.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 13, 2024

  Castle Lake Campground

  Grand view

  Road dips down but rutted and I'm low clearance so can't tell what's down there. I'm in amthe o ly pullout off the side of the road before it Dios. Awesome view. Cannot hear water the other person mentioned but also haven't walked down the road yet. 3 or 4 rigs down close by. I am in a level spot but nowhere to walk except road from here. Again, great view.

• S

  Sabrina V.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

  Easy find near Castle Lake

  You’ll have to enter a dirt road to get down to this spot. There will be several sites, but small ones all along that dirt road. This site specifically is good for when camping with a Van or small trailer.

• P

  Paul T.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  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

• 

  Claire D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 3, 2024

  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!

• 

  Nick C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 13, 2023

  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.

• R

  Robert N.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 13, 2024

  Christie Hill Basecamp

  Dispersed camping

  No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully.

• C

  Christopher E.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 19, 2022

  Hat Creek Dispersed

  Hat Creek Dispersed

  Go past Cave Campground take 1st left over bridge. Goto end of road after bridge look left. Go up hill. Road is rough only to top then levels out. Footbridge to main campground found midway in creek. Take creek trail. Bathrooms, garbage, water available at main campground. 1 bar lte AT&T.