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Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Shingletown, California, primarily on Lassen National Forest land. Several free primitive sites exist within a short drive of Lassen Volcanic National Park, including 31N17N North Manzanita, Christie Hill Basecamp, and 29N22 Dispersed. These undeveloped areas provide basic camping with no amenities. According to camper reviews, most sites feature established clearings with informal fire rings, though visitors must sweep pine needles at least 20 feet around any fire area for safety.
Road conditions vary significantly between sites. North Manzanita Dispersed Camping is accessible via gravel roads suitable for most vehicles. As one camper noted, "A 4-wheel drive is not required, it's just a dusty road." Christie Hill Basecamp requires more careful navigation, with reviewers cautioning those with low-clearance vehicles to "pick pins carefully." Big Pine Dispersed Camping accommodates larger rigs, including fifth wheels up to 38 feet.
No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at these dispersed sites. Campers must pack in all water and pack out all waste. Fire regulations change seasonally; permits are required for some locations, particularly during high fire danger periods. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area. Campers report that most sites offer good privacy despite being near forest roads. One visitor described 29N22 as a "lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot" with "lots of room and plenty of privacy" despite sites being positioned along the road edge.
The standard 14-day stay limit applies to all dispersed camping in this region. During summer months, expect moderate traffic to sites closest to park entrances. Winter access becomes limited or impossible due to snow, with some areas designated as snow parks for winter recreation rather than camping.
"Being right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true."
"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."
"Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between."
"Easy dirt road in my sedan. Some logging I think(?) at around 4am or something actually. But slept easily enough. Best to go farther in for a better experience"
"No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully."
"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."
"Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services."
"This is just a gravel parking lot, but it's quiet, peaceful, and about a 2 min walk from the river. Several horse and hiking trails start from here. There's a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling."
"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."
"As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking."
"Car camping----->Vanlife----->Skoolie life (present day). Must be the Shasta energy, I love this place, and I have to return."
"About a mile long dirt road in with some fallen trees so be on the lookout (burn scar area). We got the first spot by the water and from what I could tell, the only spot."
LegendLovely 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.
RangerThe 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
RangerWe arrived late after dark and found the area to be quite far off the beaten path. It was another overnight stop for us while traveling through the area.
We located the designated spot, but the signage was confusing. There were numerous signs stating “No Camping” and “Day Use Only,” even though there were established fire pits present. It was difficult to tell whether the specific area we were in allowed overnight stays while the surrounding area did not.
The river was nice, and the area itself is pretty. However, the road leading to the site is rough and best suited for 4x4 vehicles. There is also a fairly steep downhill section to reach the parking area.
One positive was the solitude. We didn’t see a single vehicle pass by during our entire stay, so it was very peaceful and quiet throughout the night.
I’m giving this location one star, not because of the scenery, but because of the confusing camping regulations. If the camping situation had been clearly marked, I would probably rate it two or three stars. Stay at your own risk and verify the rules for yourself before spending the night.
There are no hookups, no water, and no amenities. At least from the spot where we stayed, there wasn’t even a maintained trail down to the river.
RangerBeing right off the main road and so close to Lassen, this spot almost felt too good to be true. Sure enough, there were established fire pits, although I’m fairly certain there is a burn ban for much of the year. I didn’t want to risk it, so I skipped even using a Solo Stove.
This is a decent overnight spot, but not really a destination in itself. We spent the day exploring the nearby Manzanita Lake picnic area and driving the scenic road through Lassen, including the Bumpass Mountain area, before returning after dark to spend the night.
The campsite itself isn’t anything particularly special, but it serves its purpose well as a quick and easy overnight stop. The sites are tucked back among the pines and feel reasonably secluded.
In dry conditions, I think most two-wheel-drive vehicles would be fine getting here. The gravel road has some fairly deep ruts in places, but the campsites are located very close to the road, so there isn’t much driving required once you arrive.
Starlink worked surprisingly well, even with the surrounding pine trees.
There are no amenities here—no water, toilets, trash service, or hookups—but Lassen National Park is just a short drive away if you need facilities during the day.
Overall, it’s a convenient and quiet overnight stop for anyone exploring the Lassen area.
GuideEasy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.
ScoutAs one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking.
TravelerWe 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.
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutSame 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!
Dispersed camping near Shingletown, California offers primitive sites on Lassen National Forest land ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 feet elevation. The volcanic soil in this region creates distinctive camping conditions with pine-covered forest floors and dusty access roads. Several undeveloped camping areas provide natural clearings where campers can set up within close proximity to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Fishing spots: Hat Creek Dispersed camping provides access to excellent fishing opportunities. As one camper noted, "I've been going to this spot for 30 years and it's great, clean, peaceful, and great fishing." This area offers multiple creek-side locations for anglers.
Hiking access: Big Pine Dispersed Camping serves as a convenient base for trail exploration. "Plenty of dispersed camping along the creek just south of Big Pine Campground," reports one camper. The area features numerous informal trails along the creek and through surrounding forest.
Wildlife viewing: The forest around Perry Riffle Trailhead supports diverse wildlife. One camper shared, "Saw/heard great horned owl, fox, then cows in the morning." Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities, especially near water sources.
Creek-side locations: Many primitive camping areas feature spots directly adjacent to streams. At Hat Creek Dispersed, one reviewer advised, "Footbridge to main campground found midway in creek. Take creek trail. Bathrooms, garbage, water available at main campground."
Natural swimming holes: During summer months, creek access provides welcome relief from heat. One visitor to Big Pine Dispersed Camping shared, "Right next to the creek and big spots! Our motorhome drove down here just fine. Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights offer excellent astronomy conditions. A camper at 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping mentioned they "fell asleep to the sounds of the flowing water" and enjoyed excellent conditions for their Starlink, indicating open skies.
Site selection timing: Arrive early during peak seasons to secure preferred locations. A camper at North Manzanita noted, "We've been on the road for about a month now and this might take the cake for our favorite dispersed spot. There are a few others along this road, but this one takes the gold."
Road conditions: Forest roads vary significantly by location and season. At Christie Hill Basecamp, campers warned, "There appears to be logging or construction going on, as a previous review stated most of the pull ins are just areas that the bulldozer is pushed everything back."
Service limitations: Cell coverage varies dramatically between sites. One camper reported, "No Verizon phone or internet reception" at primitive sites, while others found "1 bar AT&T" at certain locations. Several areas have no service whatsoever.
Stream play areas: Families particularly enjoy sites near water features. A visitor to Big Pine noted, "Perfect spot for kids and dogs! Right next to the creek and big spots! Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast. Quiet and safe and lots of shade."
Wildlife education: The diverse ecosystem provides natural learning opportunities. As one Perry Riffle Trailhead camper observed, "Several horse and hiking trails start from here" where children can explore safely and potentially spot local wildlife.
Shade assessment: Forest cover varies significantly between sites. At Butte Creek, a camper advised, "The campground is dark and thoroughly infested with mosquitoes... at least you're in an open space with sunlight!" Selecting sites with balanced sun/shade improves comfort.
Size-appropriate site selection: Larger rigs require careful location planning. One RVer at Big Pine Dispersed Camping reported, "We found a could spots that our 38ft fifth wheel could fit, and many spots for smaller rigs."
Water and waste management: Plan for complete self-sufficiency. A camper noted, "Water, dump, and trash are available at Old Station Visitor Information Center just north (RV sewer dump closes mid October)."
Leveling challenges: The volcanic soil presents unique challenges. A visitor to Butte Creek warned, "The ground here is loose volcanic sand. I wouldn't recommend a heavy trailer rig or RV without 4x4 do anything but back back straight into this site. We bogged down a bit while turning around and needed to use our 4wd."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Shingletown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shingletown, CA is 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Shingletown, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Shingletown, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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