Dispersed camping options near Susanville, California provide backcountry experiences at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet across the region's sagebrush flats and forested mountains. Most primitive sites have seasonal access from late spring through fall, with many forest roads becoming impassable during winter months due to snow. Weather patterns vary significantly with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: The Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Saw the Milky Way clear as. Fire pit, picnic table, and grill at each spot. Trash and recycling bins. Good service for T-Mobile," reports one camper at Fort Sage Off Highway Vehicle Area.
Wildlife viewing: East Eagle Lake provides opportunities to observe migratory birds and local wildlife. "Drove right by it, but had the area to ourselves. Took a nice walk by the lake. Gonna revisit heading south. Maybe wet a worm?" notes a visitor at East Eagle Lake.
ATV and side-by-side riding: Trail systems throughout the area accommodate off-road vehicles. "Very clean, trash pick up service was great and the vault toilets were nice if you were tent camping and needed a clean place to do your business. Trail riding galore. Went on all the trails and out in the sand dune area we came upon wild horses," explains a Fort Sage camper.
What campers like
Solitude and isolation: Many sites provide peaceful camping experiences away from crowds. At Bogard USFS Dispersed, one camper noted, "The campsite was very easy to find, but also very secluded. When we arrived, only 3 other sites were taken. We met a very kind older woman who had been there a while & said that not many people know this place exists."
Clean facilities: Several dispersed camping areas maintain basic infrastructure despite their remote nature. "Pristine spot. Cleanest pit toilets ever and they are lit up (great for late arrival). Quiet and smells like juniper and sage," writes a Fort Sage visitor.
Cell service availability: Unlike many primitive camping areas, some sites near Susanville offer connectivity. A camper at Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp shared, "Not a bad place to spend a night or two primitive camping," noting the basic primitive cell service available.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. At CA-139 Pull Off Area, one camper advises, "The roads to the spots are a little rutted, no low profile vehicles, but it's easy to access. There is no name to this place, and the bulletin board has zero information."
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns impact camping conditions throughout the year. "I would avoid this place in the summer, hot and with no power it would be a sweat box," warns a Fort Sage visitor regarding summer temperatures.
Insect preparation: Some areas have significant mosquito populations depending on season. A Bogard visitor warns, "Mosquitoes EVERYWHERE! We pulled in to the area around 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, not a single person around. We originally pulled near the little bog. When we got out we noticed TONS of mosquitoes."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Look for level ground and natural barriers. At Rocky Point Dispersed Camping, a camper observed, "There's signs acknowledging it's free camping. Large barren area with a toilet near the lake. Not great for a tent but can make it work. Good distance away from roads and houses."
Wildlife safety: Proper food storage prevents unwanted visitors. A Bogard camper shared their experience: "I left my dog's food out one afternoon & a chipmunk got to it but other than that, we had no issues with wildlife!"
Background noise awareness: Some sites experience intermittent noise despite remote locations. A Bogard visitor noted, "It's quiet except for lots of distant road noise from the highway and surprisingly frequent train noise in the distance."
Tips from RVers
Parking considerations: Assess ground conditions before positioning larger vehicles. "Be aware of the ground near the water being deceptively solid but saturated with water and muddy. Our tires sank a bit when we tried to park too close to the water," warns a Bogard camper.
Turning radius requirements: Some sites accommodate larger vehicles better than others. "It's a nice open flat-ish space, big enough for several rigs as well as big enough to do a complete u-turn in our 26ft class c without having to back up," shares another Bogard visitor.
Overnight options: Several areas provide suitable conditions for brief stays. At East Eagle Lake, a camper reports, "Pulled off around 10:30-11 pm on a roadtrip, and car camped in the parking lot. Parked further from the road and away from road to avoid getting flashed by incoming cars."
