Best RV Parks & Resorts near Likely, CA

Amazing. Such magnificent views driving through the forest to get to Eagle Lake. We planned to stayed 3 days here as we camp in our RV trailer and part of the camp had full hook-ups. Upon arrival there was only one site left #24 which was considered full sun. (Minus trees) It was hot! Most sites had majestic trees and paved. The rest rooms well cleaned with soap. No towels just bring your own. Many campers had their kayak or fishing boats. We travel with electric bikes and dog carrier in tow. There is a total of 6 miles of paved bike path. We loved it! We rode to the other dry camp grounds all very big and spacious with the tall trees. Well whether you dry camp or partial hook-ups across from Merrill entrance is the RV dump station with full cleaning hoses at a reasonable price. We will be RV camping with reservations in the future as we selected some sites. It’s quite and peaceful unless you supply your own satellite, music, or videos. Highly recommended.

We didn’t spend the night here, but were tempted. We pulled in to see if we could just pay to fill our fresh water tank. The owner wasn’t there, but the gentleman filling in for him was incredibly hospitable. He not only let us fill up, but offered to let us dump if we needed to (we didn’t).

The campground is in a meadow-line setting at the end of a quiet road. You’ll pass another called Hawks Nest first. Keep going! Sites are pull through on grass and have full hookups, though you pay a nominal additional fee for the actual amount of electricity you use.

Great proximity to Lava Beds National Monument.

Will definitely put this on our list if we pass through again.

Howards 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.

We camped from 6/18 - 6/20, a Monday through Wednesday. There was only one other occupied campsite out of about 25 on our loop. When we came last year in early July, there were more campers but it still wasn't filled. We have a Senior Access Pass, so we paid only $10 per night instead of $20. Clean campsites with picnic tables, and fire rings with nice adjustable height cooking grates. There is firewood for sale at the campground host's. Drinking water is available, and the bathrooms are clean and have flush toilets. We were happy to have our screen tent, because there were more than a few mosquitoes. A paved trail goes along the lake for 5 miles, suitable for bicycles, strollers, and hikers. There are big fish in the lake, and there are white pelicans and bald eagles who feed on those fish. Beautiful scenery with strategically located picnic tables near the lake, and nice places to spread a blanket and take a lakeside nap.