Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Tulelake, CA has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Tulelake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Tulelake, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"The campground had pit toilets, sturdy picnic tables and large fire rings. We took up 3 sites towards the front of the campground and had plenty of room for our numerous tents."
"But there’s trash cans. A bathroom. Tables and pits. But damn the mosquitoes. A boat ramp too!"
"6 camping spots on Upper Klamath Lake. First come, first served. One spot big rig friendly. Birding, hiking, boat ramp, kayak, and canoe."
"Don’t just stop at the first section like we did, there are sites along the back of the lake too, go past the 1st lot with the bathrooms (don’t take the sand road, take the next right after that) and follow"
"All sorts of wildlife loves to visit, even deer. The camp is surrounded by a barbed wire fence to keep cows out, I’m assuming. There are cattle guards at both entrances of the site as well. "
"It’s dry camping, but there are a couple outhouses provided. The area where we were camped did not have an outhouse, despite having campsites. This is why I only gave it 4 stars."
"It's very close to multiple waterfalls, shady for protection from the sun, and spacious enough to have some privacy. it's also close enough to the town of Shasta for gas, thai food, or even laundry."
"It is a very small simple designated camping area with a very clean pit toilet and a few picnic tables but nothing else."
GuideThere are no hookups - no electricity, no water , no dump station at sites. There appears to be a water pipe? I’m not sure… but no faucet near the site. Beautiful surroundings, we even saw several mule deer.
LegendHowards Gulch Campground • Modoc National Forest • $12
Northern California • Basin & Range Birding Trail 15 Northeastern location
Just past a hundred miles of farmfield coming from the North we enter the Modoc National Forest, and turn left against our GPS’ wishes into Howard’s Gulch Campground (Forest Service). Pay attention to the signs. It's analog but it's right. It’s a small, primitive camp in Northern California with 12 sites. Two which are walk in only and none which are for large RV’s. The fee is $12 which is significantly more than the next campground down the road which is free, but the consistency of the Forest Service sites makes it worth it.
The trees are tall and red, and according to a conveniently placed sign, coniferous. There are also signs indicating common birds of the area and their habitats, along with a 1.5 mile trail built by the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and the California Department of Corrections. The trail has been dedicated “for your hiking pleasure…” This campground is also part of the Basin & Range Birding Trail system of Northern California and Southern Oregon.
Like all forest service campgrounds there is a fire pit and a picnic table in each site. Most of the sites are spaced relatively privately, but since you’re in the middle of nowhere you’ll probably be sharing the camp with one, maybe two other campers. In addition, some sites have a stand alone charcoal grilling set-ups.
Trails like this one lead right from camp. Bring your binoculars.
There are plenty of water taps. At least five, but since it isn’t potable there isn’t really much benefit. Since the water is being “treated with chemicals” I wouldn’t even recommend boiling it for use leaving it for the dousing of fires, but the camp is under no-burn restrictions. Rightfully so, considering the summer California has had so far.
Toilets are standard vaults, but there are three of them for 12 sites. Two of which are recent new builds. Being low in the gulch you’re surrounded by walls on three sides to the outer side of the camp loop. The inner loop still backs up to a cliff wall for an unusually located tall mound...and OHMYGOD MY WIFE JUST CHOPPED HER THUMB! SHIT! SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!SHIT!
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The reason to camp here is…you’re on your way somewhere else most likely. Coming from Oregon to Yosemite or Tahoe or vice versa. But if you do you won’t be disappointed and if you like birds you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The nearest town is at least 20+ miles if you need anything so come prepared. My Wife's thumb is fine by the way. Despite a serious scare at the time. She field dressed it like a boss using our first aid kit (which we've since upgraded). She'll have a reminder scar, but her badass level went up like a million points. I give Howard’s Gulch 3 Tent Stakes of Awesomeness for being a solid campground with nice sites and trails leaving right from camp but not much else going on. Also, there is no indication of who Howard is. I certainly didn't meet him.
Pro-Tip #1: Prepare for summer heat. You aren’t at elevation here.
Pro-Tip #2: Bring binoculars.
Pro-Tip #3: Bring water and anything else you might need. No place near by to get anything.
GuideThis is undoubtedly the quietest campground we have ever visited. Not just because there were few campers, but its location so far from any highway or city. I would also like to give kudos to the the fire crews who saved this area from the fire last year. The visitor center and campground are an island of green in the middle of a charcoal land.
I would categorize it as a tent and teardrop campground. There are some sites where larger RVs can park, maybe around 25', but most campground spaces will only hold the car. They have a lot parallel RV parking and that requires you sign up for two spaces, one for your trailer, the other for your car. The lower campground, A, is more open, great if you have solar. The upper campground, B, has more spaces and some for larger RVs.
The drinking water faucets are irregularly dispersed and few. You cannot hook up to them to fill your RV, so be sure to bring some 5 gallon containers to haul water to your RV. There are flush toilets and sinks with cold water, no showers. Bring all your supplies, as the nearest town is about a 40 minute drive. There are very solid metal fire rings and picnic tables. The closest dump station is in Tule Lake, but is excellent, with water and good drain positioning - and its free.
We had excellent Verizon service and were able to surf the internet, load and download pictures without using any booster. I was also pleased to get a staff member directly when I called for information. There is a lot to see at this park and I highly recommend it.
PS The helmet they sell ($8) saved my head many a time during cave exploring.
LegendCaution. It is very hot and dry here in the summer!!!
We go here in the spring and fall to avoid the heat. Open sparse cover campground but the regular amentiites are there - table, locker, fire ring. Flush bathrooms but no showers. First come first serve sites but I have never seen it full. Some RVs will not fit so check if you are using one.
You can also do back country camping but I have never done that here.
The best reasoen to go are the caves. There are caves of every type and every kind. Some you walk thru and others you crawl through - caves for all ages and all abilities. Try to get a reservation for the Ice Cave before you go (if you can).
We also always look at the petroglyphs and watch the raptors there.
Captain Jack's Stronghold and the Modoc history sites are fun and facinating as well.
You are a short ride from the flyway and a reserve where you can always see eagles.
You are also near the Tule Lake Japaneses Internment Camp,as well as a German POW camp. Small museuem at the fairgrounds at Tule Lake.
Lots of birding in the area and you are close to some fun sites in Oregon as well.
GuideOff season visit, Sept 13: After a long bike ride through the National Forest, I arrived after dark. The campground was empty when I arrived, but one truck pulled in just after me, which was a little freaky. Another truck pulled in a few minutes later, and they both headed to the other side of the campground, and everything was fine.
There seemed to be two sizes of camp sites, but it wasn't clear in the dark how they differed. I may have ended up in the double, but I only paid for a single, $15, I think. The vault toilets were decent, the water from the spigot was good. There weren't any bear boxes, but the trash was a bearproof unit.
The trains could be heard much of the night, but they were far enough away to be a low rumbling rather than a heart-stopping clatter. Occasionally they would blow their horns, but it didn't seem like they did every time. Much quieter than the previous night at McArthur-Burney at a site next to the highway. I would choose Shafter for noise every time.
GuideA small quiet campground near, but not on Drews creek. Only space for about 4 maybe 5 RVs. All sites great for tents. There are no services - no water, no electric, no dump. It does have two very nice and clean modern pit toilets. We had no cell service.
GuideLake of the Woods RV and Cabin Resort in Oregon. It is a lake surrounded by trees 30 min West of Klamath Falls. This is truly a cozy hidden gem! It’s rustic and clean with all the amenities you need. The max stay is 14 days and full hook ups are $50-$60. The restaurant and pizza parlor are fantastic! And in Oregon, you pay zero sales tax!
LegendThis is a middle of the road, nothing particularly special about it campground. There’s a small lake/pond nearby with fishing but that’s the primary draw; you can hike or drive to additional decent fishing throughout the Sierras but don’t expect a major nearby body of water to give the place a nice ambiance. Mosquitoes are aggressive despite the altitude. It’s first come first served (and almost always has space available because it’s a bit off the beaten track). Two vault toilets in a degrading state of cleanliness.
Note that there are no services here, including no potable water. No trash service so please pack everything in and everything out.
RangerI camped here two nights with a large group of friends the first weekend of last October and it was beautiful, but freezing!! The campground had pit toilets, sturdy picnic tables and large fire rings. We took up 3 sites towards the front of the campground and had plenty of room for our numerous tents. The campground was right next to a beautiful lake which seemed very popular with the many fisherman staying there that weekend. While everything was well maintained and clean I must warn that it was pretty cold for late summer/early fall camping with lows well in the 20s. I definitely recommend bringing appropriate gear and checking the weather before heading out. The campground is close to many awesome volcanic sites such as glass mountain and Mt Hoffman. It is not that far from Lava Beds National Monument which is another great thing to check out. Overall this seemed like a peaceful forested campground with lake access and many cool outdoor recreational opportunities. Just beware of the weather!
Tent camping near Tulelake, California, offers a serene escape into nature, with beautiful landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy.
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