Searching for the best camping near Shasta-Trinity National Forest, CA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Shasta-Trinity National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Shasta-Trinity National Forest, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$20 / night
$37 / night
"Located off a well maintained gravel road near beautiful Butte Lake. We had no problem towing our trailer to this location and neither did our friends whose trailer is 30+ ft."
"Stayed at Butte Lake for two nights in late June 2022. None of the campsites has an unobstructed lake view, but it’s a short walk to the day use area on the shore."
"There are some nice places to fish that are just a short walk from the campsites and the campsites are nicely shaded to help cut the heat during the day. We saw some salmon, deer, quail, and frogs."
"Fishing in camp and nearby. Friendly staff. Had originally reserved a back in site, but emailed to hopefully get a pull through. Got a quick reply, and all taken care of."
"Nice spot near the NP. Level spot, nice clean bath and shower area. Got a nice hot shower, thank you!"
"We were looking for.a place to camp near Redding, our home town. This campground is about 30 mins from Redding. It was an easy tow on rural but well maintained roads all the way to the campground."
"There are tent sites away from the rv part, but we never checked that area out. The rv spots are very clean, and even though they’re close together with no privacy it was an amazingly quiet park."
$49 - $69 / night
"Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5."
"Conveniently located just off I-5, far enough away from the noise. Casino, restaurants, doggy daycare and golf just next door. Sites are level 75 ft pull through sites. We will stay again."
GuideThis little gem is a great place to stay while visiting Lassen. Located off a well maintained gravel road near beautiful Butte Lake. We had no problem towing our trailer to this location and neither did our friends whose trailer is 30+ ft. The campsites are spacious and well maintained. Lots of trees and within walking distance to the lake. Flush toilets were decently clean.
There are no sites located on the actual lake so you have to pack a beach bag, chairs, toys and snacks and haul them down to the waters edge if you want a beach day. Mosquitoes were HUGE so don’t forget bug spray!
The Cinder Cone hike along the old lava flow behind the campsite is spectacular! Don’t let the climb up the cinder cone dissuade you; the panoramic view from the top is well worth it! We did it with two 6 year olds. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Lava Tubes and geothermal sights.
RangerLarge pull-thru sites with vegetation in between. Casino nearby has multiple restaurants and entertainment, including golf. Cheap gas for California. Little bit of a hike to clean restrooms. Quiet. Convenient location for traveling down I-5.
GuideWe were looking for.a place to camp near Redding, our home town. This campground is about 30 mins from Redding. It was an easy tow on rural but well maintained roads all the way to the campground. Easy tow for my 25.5 foot travel trailer and 2019 Chevy taho .
The store is well supplied with camping and fishing needs. The park has lots of trees for shade and the spaces are wide. Wider than any other places we have stayed . The spots are grassed, all clean and well maintained. Everyone there was very nice and will happily give you fishing advice, if you ask.
Our dogs loved the area down below, we would take them off leash and let them do dog-things.
Just around the corner from the campground ( walking distance) is access to the river. The whole family enjoyed dipping in when it’s warm outside
We will be back
LegendStayed at Butte Lake for two nights in late June 2022. None of the campsites has an unobstructed lake view, but it’s a short walk to the day use area on the shore. This is a good jumping off point for a ton of hikes on this side of Lassen NP; excellent signage tells you how far each destination is. The sites themselves are not very private; kids were rolling through our site on bikes all afternoon and evening, dogs were barking at each other, it was a little crowded feeling even though it was probably only at half capacity. (There were reservation cards on almost all the sites, but it seems like a lot of people didn’t show up.) That said, after driving past some of the other campgrounds right next to the highway, I was happy to have chosen this one.
TravelerDespite the remote location and the bumpy gravel road to get to this park, it is a very popular campground. Advanced reservation is a must. Make sure to read the signs about the wildlife and take the advice of how to store food seriously. We saw a bear just a mile outside the campground.
The sites are large and spaced far apart and shady. The lake is only a short walk away and great for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding. The lake is surrounded by lava and the beach has been formed by volcanic material and smells a little sulphuric but the water is very clear. There are several stunning hikes starting right at the campground .
GuideMore to the campground than just camping. Fishing in camp and nearby. Friendly staff. Had originally reserved a back in site, but emailed to hopefully get a pull through. Got a quick reply, and all taken care of. Campground is close to other fishing, the Subway Cave (ya gotta go there) Lassen National Park entrance and much more.
GuideI think the most important thing to know about this camp site is that it is not always open. When we went there, it was closed (apparently only open 6/8/18 - 10/23/18, weather permitting per the website).
We were still able to see and explore the camp sites which looked very standard.
The best thing about this site would be its location close to many spectacular trails. The cinder cone is very close to here, and while it is quite a journey to get to the top, it offers spectacular views of the nearby lakes, lava beds, and painted dunes.
GuideIf you're up for driving down a bumpy gravel road for 5-6 miles, this campground is a hidden gem within Lassen. Facilities are clean, sites are decent sized and there's a beautiful lake (Butte Lake) and a couple of great hikes that you can do directly out of the campground. We did the Cinder Cone trail, which is short, exposed, extremely steep but has a great payoff in terms of view and curiosity factor. We stayed for one night only, as we were passing through and I enjoyed our stay. If you're freaked out about taking your rig down a bumpy and dusty road, I would avoid this one. Otherwise, this is a tranquil spot away from the masses, which easily offers a day or two of activities, including potentially serving as a base camp to see other sites in the park and area. e.g. Barney Falls.
TravelerThis is a great little mom and pop rv campground. There are tent sites away from the rv part, but we never checked that area out. The rv spots are very clean, and even though they’re close together with no privacy it was an amazingly quiet park. The park is about 1/4 full time residents, 1/4 permanent vacation spots that people keep trailers at and visit from time to time and the other half is campers. We stayed for a week and became buddies with the camp host Craig who gave us great fishing tips for the area and had some great conversation with as well. The owners were very nice and run a tight ship. The rv spots are full hook up with nice green grass, no cable but ok Verizon signal and we got a few local channels on the tv antenna. They have a nice little store and a fish cleaning stand. We fished Lewiston lake less than 10 min. away and Whiskeytown Lake about 20-25 min. away with great luck. The little town of Lewiston is pretty cool and a 5 min walk from the campground as well is the trinity river. We will definitely be back.
Horse camping near Shasta-Trinity National Forest in California offers a unique blend of scenic trails and equestrian-friendly facilities, making it a perfect getaway for horse enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there horse camping facilities in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
Yes, Shasta-Trinity National Forest has dedicated horse camping facilities. Black Rock Campground offers equestrian-specific sites with hitching posts, corrals, and ample space for horse trailers. These sites are designed to accommodate both riders and their horses comfortably. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Old Lewiston Bridge RV Resort is located near equestrian-accessible areas and can accommodate horse trailers with advance notice. Most horse camps in the forest feature amenities such as vault toilets, water for horses (seasonally available), and access to nearby trails. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months, as these specialized sites fill quickly with equestrian enthusiasts.
What permits are required for horseback riding in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
For day rides in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, no special horseback riding permits are typically required beyond standard forest entry passes. However, if you're planning overnight trips with horses, you'll need a wilderness permit when entering designated wilderness areas like Trinity Alps or Mount Shasta Wilderness. For camping with horses at Butte Lake Campground or other developed sites near the forest, reservations are essential. Some areas may have seasonal restrictions or group size limitations for horse parties. Commercial guides and outfitters need special use permits. Always check with the ranger district office for the most current regulations before your trip, as requirements can change seasonally based on trail conditions, fire restrictions, and wildlife management concerns.
Where can I find horseback riding trails in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
Shasta-Trinity National Forest offers numerous horseback riding trails throughout its vast wilderness. The areas near Horse Camp Primitive Campground provide excellent access to equestrian trails that wind through dense forests and alpine meadows. Another popular area is around Hat Creek Resort & RV Park, which serves as a gateway to several horse-friendly trails with stunning views of Mount Shasta and surrounding landscapes. These trails vary in difficulty, from easy rides suitable for beginners to challenging routes for experienced riders. Many trails connect to the Pacific Crest Trail system, offering multi-day riding opportunities. For current trail conditions and maps, check with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest ranger stations before your trip.
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