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Best Dispersed Camping near Sugarloaf, CA

43 Reviews

Castle Lake and Mount Shasta areas offer several dispersed camping options near Sugarloaf, California. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping features sites along a forest service road with views of Mount Shasta, though some roads require higher clearance vehicles. Sites range from roadside pull-offs to more private spots nestled among trees. One camper noted, "There's more than enough room for many people. There's also a small creek you can bushwhack to the east, and castle lake is a 30 min walk up the road."

Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed provides free camping along gravel roads about 45-60 minutes from Redding, with spots near creeks and in open fields. Road conditions can be challenging in some sections with low-hanging branches. North Trinity Lake offers lakeside primitive camping but has inconsistent access points, with some campers reporting difficulty finding the sites based on provided coordinates. Most dispersed sites in the region lack amenities—no toilets, water, or trash service—requiring campers to pack out all waste. Fire restrictions commonly apply throughout the area, particularly during dry summer months.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Sugarloaf, California (18)

    1. Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    15 miles

    "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."

    "No amenities of any kind."

    2. North Trinity Lake

    4 Reviews
    Trinity Center, CA
    19 miles

    "This is disbursed lakeside camping with no facilities."

    "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"

    3. Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    9 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    28 miles

    "Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes."

    "It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right."

    4. Wild and Senic Trinity River Grapevine River Access Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    French Gulch, CA
    18 miles

    "Great location off 299. 5 miles from Big Flat"

    5. Castle Lake Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Dunsmuir, CA
    27 miles

    "This spot is great, plenty of space, quiet, great views of Mount Shasta, easy to access."

    "High and dry. Great view of Shasta Mtn. 8 campers here in mid May. All 2 wheel low clearance accessible. 8 or more still available for higher clearance vehicle. T-Mobile reception good."

    6. Mt. Shasta Area

    2 Reviews
    Castella, CA
    23 miles

    "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!"

    "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 !!"

    7. red fir campground

    3 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    34 miles

    "Just across the street from the red fir group campground, there is a good area among the trees for dispersed camping. No facilities or running water. Pretty flat spots scattered around between trees."

    "Pull in and park / camp… flat space to park or set up a tent. No services but they have outhouses about a mile up the road. No reservations or assigned spots. Quiet and comfortable. I will be back."

    8. Sand Flat Wild Camping

    3 Reviews
    Mount Shasta, CA
    35 miles

    "We couldn’t get more than a quarter mile up the very rocky forest service road. The road is completely snow covered. Two others had the same problem."

    9. Perry Riffle Trailhead

    6 Reviews
    Red Bluff, CA
    41 miles

    "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."

    10. bunny flat dispersed

    1 Review
    Mount Shasta, CA
    35 miles

    "Close to mt Shasta. Lots of other people here. Road is rough, don't recommend a super low clearance vechile"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Sugarloaf, CA

22 Photos of 18 Sugarloaf Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sugarloaf, CA

43 Reviews of 18 Sugarloaf Campgrounds

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Al L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Overnight @ Perry Riffle

    Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.

  • Victoria B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Serene Escape

    Really easy trail was about a mile past the coordinates on google map but it’s a very obvious dirt road. Stayed at the 5th site in which is spacious and has a few paths for small hikes.

  • Grace A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Close to the lake. Beware of bugs

    Overall good stay. I don’t think you can do fires right now and there wasn’t too many options of where to stay, but we ended up finding a spot that fit 2 SUVs. It’s a dirt road but not bad at all. You have to keep going pasta where it takes you on google maps until you see a dirt road turnoff on the right. It was pretty hot at night, and a bunch of bugs so keep that in mind. There was plenty of shade at the spot we found. It was a like 10 minute drive to the lake which is what makes this spot so worth it!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Perfect campsite!

    Great campsite! Will be bumpy for a regular sedan but we did see a Prius roll by. There a 3-5 sites along the road and very spread apart. We did not hear any other campers even though there were at least 2 nearby. Google will try to get you to the coordinates but doesn’t know about the existence of the final dirt road to get you there. So it gets you to a point and then expects you to walk across a small ravine. But as the other reviewers stated, keep going on the road keeping in mind that you are trying to get to exact coordinates listed which are accurate. See one of my pics. Google has you stop at the red X, but keep going along the blue path drawn.

  • Salvatore F.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Claire D.
    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!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Regina L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta

    Beautiful Forest

    It was my husband and I's first time trying dispersed camping, and this was beautiful. We really enjoyed the location. It was one way in 1 way out. So we felt safe. The only issue we had was there were a lot of bugs, but I believe that is due to the time of year. Would definitely stay here again. Few small spots at beginning of dirt road and then a few larger further down. Surrounded by dense forest.

Guide to Sugarloaf

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Sugarloaf, California, where nature meets tranquility. This area offers a variety of spots for campers looking to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.

Enjoy Scenic Views while Free Camping near Sugarloaf

  • The Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed area features charming stone sculptures and a creek, providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping experience.
  • North Trinity Lake offers stunning views both day and night, making it an ideal spot for those who appreciate beautiful landscapes and serene surroundings.
  • The Mt. Shasta Area is known for its breathtaking vistas, perfect for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out North Trinity Lake

  • North Trinity Lake allows for both drive-in and walk-in access, making it convenient for various camping setups.
  • With multiple side dirt roads leading to the lake, you can easily find a secluded spot to enjoy the peaceful environment.
  • Campers have noted the absence of other visitors, providing a sense of solitude that enhances the overall experience.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping near Sugarloaf, California

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping at Sugarloaf?

Dispersed camping at Sugarloaf follows standard Forest Service regulations, similar to 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping where rangers actively monitor the area. Typical rules include a 14-day maximum stay, camping at least 100 feet from water sources, proper waste disposal, and adhering to current fire restrictions. Management staff may patrol regularly to enforce regulations and check vehicle information. Be prepared for seasonal fire bans that prohibit open flames. Always practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and minimizing your impact on the natural environment.

Where is Sugarloaf dispersed camping located?

Sugarloaf dispersed camping is located near Mount Shasta in Northern California. The area is similar to other dispersed camping options in the region like Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, which is accessed via a dirt road about a mile past the coordinates shown on Google Maps. The Shasta area offers stunning views and multiple dispersed camping opportunities along forest service roads with varying access points. Be prepared for some bumpy roads that may require high-clearance vehicles, though most passenger cars can manage with careful driving.

Are there any amenities available at Sugarloaf dispersed camping area?

Sugarloaf dispersed camping offers minimal to no amenities, typical of dispersed camping areas. Similar to Perry Riffle Trailhead, some dispersed sites in the region may have a pit toilet, but this is not guaranteed. There is no running water, electricity, or trash service, so you'll need to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Red Fir campground dispersed area features flat spots scattered among trees but also lacks facilities. Come fully prepared with enough water, food, and supplies for your stay, and plan to be completely self-sufficient.

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