Best Dispersed Camping near Shasta, CA

Looking for the best Shasta dispersed camping? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Shasta, CA (9)


Recent Dispersed Reviews in Shasta

26 Reviews of 9 Shasta Campgrounds


  • Kelly V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Lake Campground
    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.

  • Claire D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
    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!

  • Casey B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
    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.

  • Julie M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
    Aug. 16, 2024

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Large lot, tiny dog area

    The place itself has delicious food. It is also a little grocery store. The “dog area” is something they squeezed into the side of the lot. Not fenced in but there were dog poop bags when we stopped.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
    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.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
    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

  • Kevinae B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
    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.

  • Salvatore F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping
    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.

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Perry Riffle Trailhead
    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.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Trinity Lake
    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.

  • Karin P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Castle Lake Campground
    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.

  • Jack W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
    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

  • Marilee  D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Ahhhhh the shade.........

    I was so grateful for the mature shade trees that offered a respite from the hot sun. It's a very quiet spot, so keep it that way. Some riffraff staggle through but they're harmless.

  • Ryan Z.
    Camper-submitted photo from North Trinity Lake
    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.

  • Karen T.
    Camper-submitted photo from North Trinity Lake
    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
  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed
    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.

  • Jody S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
    Jan. 20, 2021

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Over nighter at the Olive Pit

    Not much to say similar to rest stop. Spent evening in their parking lot that does say no parking unless your a customer. I went in and purchase couple jars of olives to take to Slab City with me as trading stock now I’m a customer (happy face). No one messed with me and it was decently quiet. Only two other rvs. Super small dog potty area too but it’s their yay.

  • Jody S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
    Jan. 4, 2021

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Guy and his dog at a Pit Stop?

    Spent the evening in the RV/Truck area after stocking up on some Olive stuffed garlic and artichokes. Mmmm. Was quiet besides the obvious freeway intersection area near by but NOT complaining. Easy boon-docking. Small pet area. Well lit if you park under a light. Safeway,Burger King, Taco Bell, Auto parts store lots more in little area around The Olive Pit. Basically park and walk to get shopping done. Boom. Hope this helps a little.

  • Chanel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Olive Pit Dispersed Lot
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Olive Pit Dispersed Lot

    Convenient location for boondocking

    PROS:

    + FREE overnight parking for RVs, trailers, and camper vehicles.

    + Very safe and heavily traffic location. Lots of travelers here spending the evening! Signs say for Olive Pit Customers Only but we spent 2 nights here (along with a few other campers) and no one ever disturbed us.

    + Very flat, leveled, and long paved spots (great for up to 35-foot long fifth wheelers and even 50-foot rigs).

    + Huge lot with lots of available spots. Around 10 spots for larger trailers and RVs, and lots of small spots for campervans and car rooftop tent campers. We saw 4-5 other campers around us who mostly were very private and to themselves

    + Super convenient location near lots of fast food joints, a Starbucks, Rite Aid, and supermarket. The lot shares the same entrance as the Shell Station and Olive Pit Cafe & Store where you can conveniently pick up food/beer/supplies.

    + The Olive Pit has a great cafe and wine tasting room. They sell specialty items such as olives, balsamic vinegar, etc. And they have a great breakfast!

    + There is a giant dumpster for trash disposal behind the Olive Pit

    + There is also a pet area that has a small white fence around a dirted area for pets to relieve themselves.

    + Lots of palm trees in the backdrop giving the place a very California vibe.

    CONS:

    + No tent camping, unless it's a car rooftop tent or a pop-up tent trailer

    + No fires/no showers/ no toilets (Although you can walk to the Shell Station to use their toilets which were super clean and well-maintained.)

    + Loud 24 hour carwash at the Shell station. Usually quiets down around 9 pm

    + Bright security lights in the parking lot. Just don't park directly under one. There are a few darker and less lit spots

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mt. Shasta Area
    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 !!

  • George B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mt. Shasta Area
    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!



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Shasta, CA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shasta, CA is Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed with a 3.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Shasta, CA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Shasta, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.