Looking for an adventure where you can explore Shasta and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best information on tent camping near Shasta, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your California camping adventure.
Peltier Bridge is a tent-only campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill, and a lamp pole. The campsites share two vault toilets. For campsites 1, 2 and 3, park and walk approximately 25-35 feet to your site. Drinking water and electricity are not available. Due to a small parking area, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. This includes vehicles towing trailers and fifth wheels and vehicles towing pop-up campers. Motorhomes are not allowed in this campground. No overflow parking is available.
This tent-only campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 13.5 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Clear Creek flows past the campground, making it a popular spot for fly fishing. The camp is shaded by alders and large canyon live oaks. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
Tall trees providing cooling shade make Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.
Brandy Creek Beach is located three and a half miles from the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
$20 / night
This facility is used on an "as needed basis" by the Shasta Recreation Company (Concessionaire to the Forest Service). There are 8 camping sites that can accomodate a trailer with an average max. size of 16'. All sites have a picnic table, campfire ring, and an unpaved parking spur.
This tent-only campground is located in the northwest corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 19 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Crystal Creek flows alongside each campsite. The campground stays relatively cool due to the creek and to the shade given by a canopy of fir, maple and pine. Three nearby trails lead to lovely waterfalls. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
The heavy forest canopy and burbling year-round creek make Crystal Creek Primitive Campground an ideal location for a peaceful retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
The Tower House Historic District is located within the recreation area less than five miles from Crystal Creek Primitive Campground. Learn about the California Gold Rush history of the area by strolling among the historic buildings, water ditches, and a former gold mine, or by panning for gold or attending an interpretive program at the site. Oak Bottom is located eight miles from the campground and features beaches, lakeside picnicking, and a full-service marina with boat rentals.
$20 / night
This tent-only campground is located in the center of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 17 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Ponderosa pines and fir shade the campsites which have cliffside views of Brandy Creek. Nearby trails lead to a series of lovely waterfalls or into old-growth forest high on Shasta Bally Mountain. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.
During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.
Tall pine and fir trees providing cooling shade make Sheep Camp Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.
Brandy Creek Beach is located three and a half miles south of the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.
For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225.
$20 / night
Open May 15- Sept 11 with services. Campground is open during the off season with no facilities, no fees, pack it in, pack it out.
$15 / night
Information unavailable at this time.
Greens Creek is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located on the McCloud Arm of the lake, this facility is popular with those visitors who want to get away from the crowds. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water. This is a pack it in, pack it out facility.
The McCloud River Wintu tribe held Hirz Mountain in reverence and had a name for it in their own language. But it was a white miner, Henry Hirz, who gave the mountain its modern name. Hirz was a gold miner who lived on Hirz Creek in the 1860s and was one of the earliest white men in the McCloud River country. When the lookout was built, it was originally a structure that sat on the ground. The mountain was a strategic location for detecting fires because it had a direct view into the headwaters of the McCloud River and most of its tributaries. In 1937, the Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) rebuilt the Hirz Mountain Lookout cabin and included a garage and outhouse. It was one of the last CCC-era lookouts to be built. In 1949, a steel tower was added, constructed of a steel K-brace tower that stands 20 feet above ground level. Coming here is not for the faint of heart. The access road is rocky and steep with limited visibility - high clearance vehicles are recommended - and the last quarter-mile must be traversed on foot. Those who make the journey are rewarded with unforgettable views of the landscape by day and the stars at night.
The main recreational activities at Hirz Mountain Lookout are sightseeing and stargazing, and this is an ideal setting for those with a passion for photography. Visitors may want to bring binoculars to go birding and wildlife watching. There are also opportunities to hike, mountain bike and hunt in the area.
This lookout tower sits atop Hirz Mountain at an elevation of 3,540 feet, offering 360-degree views of Mt. Shasta's snow-laced peak to the north, Mt. Lassen to the southeast and the gray limestone exposures of Hirz Mountain itself. The narrow blue-green ribbon of the McCloud River Arm winds past the east side of Hirz Mountain, extending north and south as far as the eye can see. Visitors to Hirz Mountain Lookout are advised to use caution, as rattlesnakes and bears frequent the area (click here for information on bear safety).
$100 / night
Traveler
Very basic sites, on the river. Hosts are super helpful and friendly, great for a short time.
Scout
Syayed in #3. Kind of confusing to get a reservation. Couldnt buy a ticket at the visitors center. Online only. Once i figured it out it is easy. Once there i went hiking but something was missing THE CAMPFIRE. That was when i started having fun. This is a clean campsite that is only 9.4 miles to west redding.
Scout
I feel like nature is where i need to be. I love it here. Clean
Scout
This campground has full hookups, a. WiFi that is good enough to stream and it’s not a parking lot, good for tents and rv’s
Scout
I have frequented this RV campground several times over many years. It is sad to see it becoming run down. The once paved interior roads are now barely discernable dirt paths. They also have a fee for locking in your chosen campground site for an additional $35 fee?!?!? Once you have waited for a specific site/s to become available to reserve, under what circumstances would they deem it reasonable to move you to another site without your consent? I luckily did not (will not) pay the additional fee, and 90% of the campground was vacant the week I was there. That guaranteed reservation fee is just a scam to get more money out of you. The costs of the sites are not cheap to begin with.
Guide
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.
Scout
Men’s shower code is 9271 as of 10/10/24 for all you stinky campers (myself included)
Scoutso far my experience has been great we're camping out for 3 Days got campsite 6 , 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, I would definitely recommend camping here however sites four and five are directly next to each other six is separate 7 8 and 9 are a little more secluded in the back I didn't see sites one two and three
Guide
Wow what a place, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
The road although incredibly long and winding was well maintained and I’m pretty sure even a car could make it without issue.
The drive up was a whole experience in itself, reminded me of Last of The Mohicans, don’t slip!
I went during hunting season without realizing it, out of the 10 sites 7 where taken up by hunters, but I only saw one person my whole stay.
Guide
Well maintained and clean park. Actually has grass, not all gravel. Sites level. Nice pool and laundry room. One night stay and arrived late so did self check in...no password for bathrooms were given, so asked a neighbor for a password. One of the restrooms was shut down for repairs. Too pricy.
Scout
We were the only ones there for the most part. Every night there would be a few cars that drive through, but they didn’t stay. Bring yellow jacket traps - there’s a reason it’s named beehive
Scout
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!
Traveler
Great little park. Lots of shade and green grass, good management, Clean restrooms and well kept grounds. Close to river and lakes for boating and fishing. There is a great area for tent camping or a place to dry camp with your RV just below the main RV park. There are targets set up for bow hunters in the pines below the park.
Our 35 foot fifth wheel easily navigated the space.
Guide
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.
TravelerLarge space with tons of camp sites. I took camp spot 28 and had plenty of space behind me and around me. Tons of rules here, but can tell the camp ground is well maintained and nothing unreasonable. Friendly staff, shoutout to Fernanda 🤙🏽
Traveler
I started my journey up at Shasta lake, but was driven out by bees. I sought several other locations but decided Trinity was a worthwhile shot. I quickly made an online reservation, paid the holding fee, got there 4 hours early because I needed to just land instead of driving aimlessly, and the staff was so accommodating! They allowed me to stay in the parking lot while my site was being prepared, and they even let me in an hour and half earlier than check in! My spot was easy and accessible, close to bathrooms and showers, near the front store which had everything I needed, including coffee, a short walk to the lake, and a view of stars you don’t see very often. I came for solitude, but found comfort in neighbors who have a mutual love and respect for these great outdoors. I even shared a meal with my neighbor! This is an incredible place and very well maintained grounds. Staff are driving around quite literally into the night hours keeping things clean. Thanks Trinity KAO Holiday! I will be seeing you again!
Scout
oh wow what a fantastic and gorgeous location. really well maintained when it comes to their bathrooms (flushing & sinks) and trash cans… but holy bear. around 4am a black bear (maybe 500lbs?) came through our site and pulled on the bear box and kept it moving to check neighboring sites (which were vacant) only to come back shortly later for a few sniffs. this would’ve been less scary had we been in an RV buuuut tent camping + bear is not the vibe guys. it definitely smelled us and knew exactly where we were & we’re incredibly fortunate but of course we were terrified. i’d definitely come back with different equipment and plenty of mace and really wish there were more signs about the likelihood of bears in this area at this time. there were a handful of signs but so small and easy to get lost amid all the other super valuable information.
TravelerIt’s likely that the heat draws the bees out, so you may have a different experience other times of the year. The bees made this incredible location no longer worth it.
ScoutI didn't put two and two together. Woke up to the BIGGEST swarm of wasps circling our fireplace and trying to make a nest in our fender. Be very careful with putting all your cookware away and completely burn your used paper towels. We went during a no burn period, so we were out of luck and ran out of camp.
Traveler
Good for a quick stop over. Quiet and never crowded. Clean bathrooms. Right on the river with easy access to the 5.
LegendVery large park. Does not look like any money has been invested in a long time. Lots of amenities but poor condition. 3 star because of full hookups. Worst marked loops ever.
Traveler
We had such a good time!!! The weather was beautiful, we didn’t have to interact with anyone-just put our fee for staying 2 nights in the designated box. The bathrooms were soo nice! Real toilets and sinks with mirrors. The lake is walking distance from the sites and the sites are far enough apart for privacy. My 2 year old had a blast! Also lots of firewood around, and fire pits were very nice! We bbqed on it everyday. 10/10- we will be back!
Traveler
This was day one of a 20 day cruise! We were more than happy to escape the 110’ temps down in the valley. The campground was cramped as it was the 4th of July holiday. Sites are really packed together!
The micro-canal that runs through it was great for our lab. He just loved tramping in and out. The nights were cool - almost chilly.
Of note: the water is great! Pure and cold. However, it is high pressure. It exploded our water hose! After that we learned to place our pressure regulator valve right on the faucet. Then attach the hose and filter.
We enjoyed the pizza and beer at the little micro-brewery at the entrance to the park. They are no longer brewing their own beer and they hope to sell the place soon. Pizza was excellent.
A great place for kids, bikes, and dogs.
Best advice: book this at least 2 months in advance
ScoutWe loved our stay. We felt safe and it’s probably one of the most cleanest campground and facilities I’ve ever been to. Clean bathrooms, showers, zero trash around. All around a great visit. Perfect spot if you are traveling with a pet. Highly recommend.
TravelerI was warned in advance by several other friends who’ve been here before not to go because the owners can be real jerks. I should have listened. The thing you should be most aware of is that no matter what anyone says, their response will always be: We didn’t do anything because you didn’t tell us about anything and if you told us about it, we would take care of it, we will fix it. You can see that on the reviews when they respond. My answer: BULL. No one wants to have a conversation with them because they are difficult people. The husband owner is a sneak, who only wants to film your“violations” to use against you, if needed later. In my case, filming me while he woke me up in my trailer early in the morning. The wife is a confrontational Gaslighter, who will bounce up onto you, get in your face, put her hands in your face and keep elevating her voice until you go away. Then, they can always use all the recorded footage of you as retribution. Go look at their YouTube channel. They’re openly doing this to people that disagree with them. You can see they actually get off on having the confrontation, recording it,(of course not recording THEIR part of the conversations, the part that got people pissed off, just the part where they have now pissed somebody else off) and then they’ll post it in violation of everyone’s privacy. I own up to my mistake but am not happy with how it was handled, and there’s no way I’m taking it up with them because I figure my being filmed while I wake up will end up on the Internet. My issue is that I brought one mini trailer and one teardrop trailer in a spot(together they’re 26 feet) where Class A and 40ft 5th wheels go. Logically, I’m using less space and less electricity(120 v plugged into our bigger trailer who is plugged into the park) no water, and only have 2 people(total) in site as opposed to the 10 people in the 38 ft trailer next to us, or the six guys with three cars and a boat trailer next to us, or the class 40 ft class a with an enclosed utility trailer that is bigger than my teardrop, but I was sleeping in my extra tow(hence the invader’s spycam to catch me sleeping). So, instead of talking to us about it, they just charged us for an extra site. The gaslighting wife said she emailed me. No she didn’t. She billed me the extra space(without my consent) and her system sent me an invoice, which took you to a site for the terms and conditions. But I’m not checking my email because I’m camping and it looked like the normal invoice I would’ve gotten anyway for the one site…so we don’t find any of this out until after noon—the cutoff to be non refundable. Keep in mind these owners are camping abut 20 feet from me. Why didn’t they just come over and talk to us? If they had, we would have said we disagreed but understood and packed up and leave instead of getting charged two sites again for the night. Instead, they let their office person tell this after 12, and we were past the refund cut off. While I support a business owner’s right to enforce their rules, even if only against us, It should have been discussed with us face-to-face. I mean, if you’re willing to pound on someone’s trailer before they’ve woken up in the morning, and film them in bed as they wake up to open their door, then you know where we are and you know how to get our attention. They took our choice away. They took our privacy away. And they paint themselves as the good guy on these reviews and on their YouTube channel where they are openly enjoying kicking people out of their park. Otherwise, it was an ugly park. Looks nice upfront, but the back sites are horrible. I got burned with scalding water trying to get water for my dog. I got splinters from these god-awful looking tables. There’s a pile of debris right behind us. They run heavy machinery all day. God knows what they’re doing with all the footage they’ve illegally collected over the years. Note to owners: YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO POST MY IMAGE OR LIKENESS ONLINE.
ScoutThe only reason i did not give this a 5 star is the outdated information and no notifications posted of events or schedules. The don't have a schedule for the theater, it's just random and at the employees discretion from my understanding. At the splash zone the paperwork was outdated, and had rules for a dock that doesn't exist. The shower code didn't work. They advertise a shower near the day use area and there isn't.
TravelerAbout 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shasta, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shasta, CA is Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground — Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Shasta, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 57 tent camping locations near Shasta, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
