Rustic camping near Whiskeytown, California offers primitive sites nestled in the Klamath Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional snow at higher elevations. Summer nighttime temperatures typically drop 30-40 degrees from daytime highs, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Castle Lake Dispersed Camping provides access to a 47-acre alpine lake stocked with rainbow and brook trout. According to one camper, "As of May 31st there isn't access to some areas as there is snow blocking the way... you can hear the river running, and has a nice view of Mount Shasta."
Swimming at nearby lakes: Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta offers proximity to excellent swimming spots. A camper notes, "It's a dirt road but not bad at all. It was a like 10 minute drive to the lake which is what makes this spot so worth it!" Another visitor suggests, "If you camp here check out Siskiyou Lake right down the way to swim it was THE best view of Shasta and the most mellow and perfect swimming conditions!"
Hiking on maintained trails: Perry Riffle Trailhead provides access to several established hiking paths. One camper reports, "Several horse and hiking trails start from here. There's a pit toilet, garbage, and recycling." The area includes "beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly."
What campers like
Mountain views: Castle Lake Dispersed Camping offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks. A camper reports, "I got one with a wonderful view, fire pit, privacy, and a good sitting rock." Another notes, "Great view of Shasta Mtn. 8 campers here in mid May. All 2 wheel low clearance accessible."
Solitude in remote locations: Cline Gulch BLM Dispersed provides isolation for those seeking quiet. One visitor shared, "My husband and I loved this place. It was a little bumpy ride but well worth it. It was super secluded and quiet. No one else drove by at all during the two days we stayed."
Lakeside camping: North Trinity Lake offers waterfront sites. A camper describes it as "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." Another notes, "Beautiful views at night and in the morning! It was wide open with no other campers in site."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Ticks present a significant concern, especially in warmer months. At Cline Gulch, one camper reported, "I had a perfect spot right by the river... stunning, private, shady and green... but then my dog and I both got bitten by ticks - and we woke to find 8 other dead ticks in our bed."
GPS reliability issues: Multiple campgrounds report navigation challenges. At North Trinity Lake, a camper warned, "The coordinates were off though and it took us up to a private residence road so I would not follow that." For Wild and Scenic Trinity River, a visitor cautioned, "DO NOT bank on this coordinate for location. This is actually an hour away from where author put it."
Seasonal access limitations: Many mountain campgrounds have restricted access during winter and spring. At Castle Lake, a camper noted in late May, "The lake campsites are still closed midMay." Another reported, "The toilets up at Castle Lake are still covered in snow and inaccessible."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Look for flat, open areas away from steep dropoffs. At Dispersed Campsite near Castle Lake and Shasta, a camper advises, "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."
Road conditions for family vehicles: Many access roads require higher clearance vehicles. One camper noted, "It's a dirt road but not bad at all," while another cautioned about Castle Lake Dispersed: "Road dips down but rutted and I'm low clearance so can't tell what's down there."
Water access considerations: Families should consider proximity to water sources. A camper at Cline Gulch reported, "There was an awesome creek right next to us," providing both recreation and a water source for filtering drinking water.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. Regarding Castle Lake, an RVer advised, "I would probably not recommend with a trailer. I made it down with my Tacoma and a 12ft travel trailer but it was a stretch. Super easy to get in, but took a long time to turn around and get back out. Anything bigger than and you're probably stuck."
Level parking availability: Finding flat sites is crucial for RVs. At Perry Riffle, a camper noted, "Simple but clean and nice level sites with picnic tables" making it suitable for overnight stays in smaller RVs and vans.
Turn-around space: Plan entry and exit strategies carefully. At Cline Gulch, a reviewer noted that after crossing a narrow bridge, you can "turn left, through a narrow and brush and low-hanging-tree-limbed gravel road" but warned that there is "limited turning space" for larger vehicles.
