Black Rock Campground

Star4.33
20 reviews
Peace & QuietSwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,182 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Black Rock Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Primitive dispersed camping appears to be free as no fees are explicitly mentioned.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 20 reviews

22 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

Some mention

small

"Overall, users praise Black Rock Campground for its remote and natural setting, swimming opportunities, and sense of safety. However, the rough dirt roads and small, uneven campsites are common complaints."

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Campground Map

Black Rock Campground

40.1838, -121.7124

Driving directionsAccessible via Highway 36 east from Red Bluff to Ponderosa Way. Ponderosa Way is a dirt road that leads to the Ishi Wilderness. The road is not recommended for RVs.
The campground is accessed via Ponderosa Way, a dirt road unsuitable for RVs. The route is narrow in spots with steep mountainsides. "Drive with caution" as noted by users.
Nearby places
Red Bluff: Approximately 31 miles/45 minutes.
Nearby supplies
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Best Time to Camp at Black Rock Campground

Black Rock Campground welcomes adventurers year-round, offering a different character with each passing season. Spring brings wildflower blooms and rushing creek waters, summer provides warm days perfect for creek swimming, autumn paints the oak woodlands in golden hues, and winter offers solitude and crisp, starlit nights. The campground's year-round accessibility makes it an ideal escape whenever the call of the wilderness beckons.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 14% in CA

Users highlight summer as best for swimming and escaping heat; swimming holes peak season draw.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open year-round; fall likely pleasant but fewer mentions than summer and spring.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5

Spring brings wildflower blooms and rushing creek waters per overview.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round but no winter activities noted; primitive access may be harder in poor weather.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round.
  • Current Alerts: null

About Black Rock Campground

Tucked away in the serene Oak Woodlands of the Ishi Wilderness, Black Rock Campground offers an authentic back-to-basics camping experience that feels worlds away from civilization. This intimate primitive campground features just six thoughtfully spaced sites along the banks of Mill Creek, each equipped with its own table and grill. Here, the absence of modern amenities isn't a limitation—it's an invitation to reconnect with nature in its purest form.
Black Rock Campground is a primitive camping facility with dispersed sites and no reservations required.
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Reserving a campsite

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Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Black Rock Campground provides opportunities for activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, and exploring the nearby Ishi Wilderness. User reviews highlight swimming and hiking as popular activities.
HikingThe location provides access to trails in the Ishi Wilderness and along Mill Creek. A user review states: "Great place to get away and swim during the summer."
FishingFishing in Deer and Mill Creeks is described as rewarding. No further details on types of fish or fishing regulations are provided.
SwimmingSwimming is mentioned as one of the highlights, with a user stating: "The highlight is the swimming pool and a small waterfall."
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include steep mountainsides on access roads, sloping ground at campsites, and narrow dirt roads.
Active Alertsnull
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Black Rock Campground

Reviews

4.3
20 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Black Rock Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, users praise Black Rock Campground for its remote and natural setting, swimming opportunities, and sense of safety. However, the rough dirt roads and small, uneven campsites are common complaints.
Review Summaries
Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Users enjoy the swimming holes, the peacefulness, and the feeling of safety. For example, one review states: "I felt safe and relaxed the whole time" and "Great place to get away and swim during the...
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Based on 20 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticisms focus on the rough road to access the campground, small and uneven campsites, and lack of cell signal. One user noted, "The road in was an adventure in my low-profile car. Took a while....
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Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water and food as there are no facilities on-site. Pack for a primitive experience and enjoy the swimming and tranquility.
Based on 20 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Users highlight the summer months as the best for swimming and escaping the heat. Winter activities are not mentioned.
Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Awesome and fun dirty road on the way in. No reservation necessary!" "This location is a place that you really need to work at to get here." "The sites themselves are mostly small and not set up...
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Based on 20 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The campground contains six sites, and one user notes the importance of arriving early due to its small size: "This is a very small campground, so you need to be lucky to get a spot here."
Based on 20 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility for individuals with disabilities is not mentioned in the materials.
Based on 20 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policies are not mentioned.
Based on 20 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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