Black Rock Campground
4.506 reviewsQuick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
6 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
6 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Not Allowed
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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What Campers Say
4.50
Recommended
Based on 6 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."
Fees & Passes at Black Rock Campground
Free
Campsite fees
Cancellation: null
Prices verified December 7, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official null website.
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.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
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.
Historical SignificanceJourney along the historic Ponderosa Way through the Sierra foothills to reach this hidden gem, where the echoes of California's past meet the tranquility of untouched wilderness. In an age of constant connectivity, Black Rock Campground stands as a rare sanctuary where cell towers can't reach and notifications can't follow. This remote outpost preserves not just the natural landscape, but a vanishing way of experiencing the outdoors—unhurried, undistracted, and deeply restorative.
Weather and SeasonsBlack 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.
ElevationWhile specific elevation data remains unrecorded, the campground's position in the transitional zone between valley and mountain creates a unique microclimate that supports the diverse Oak Woodland ecosystem and provides comfortable camping conditions throughout the year.
Natural Features and SceneryMill Creek serves as the campground's centerpiece, offering crystal-clear swimming holes, productive fishing spots, and a soothing soundtrack that lulls campers to sleep each night. The surrounding Oak Woodlands create a cathedral-like canopy overhead, while hiking trails wind through the Ishi Wilderness, revealing hidden waterfalls, wildlife viewing opportunities, and panoramic vistas. As one devoted visitor describes it, Black Rock is 'a little treasure in our own backyard'—a testament to the magic that awaits those who venture off the beaten path.
Geological RegionNestled within the Ishi Wilderness, Black Rock Campground occupies a fascinating geological transition zone where ancient volcanic formations meet the weathered granite of the Sierra foothills. The Oak Woodlands here tell a story millions of years in the making, with Mill Creek carving its course through layers of geological history. This unique positioning creates diverse habitats and microclimates that support an impressive array of plant and animal life throughout the historic Sierra foothill region.
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Campsite details
Sites SizeThe sites are small and primitive, as noted by a reviewer: "The sites themselves are mostly small and not set up well for campers to make their camp."
Sites PrivacyThe privacy level of the campsites is not explicitly discussed in the source materials.
Total Campsites6 campsites
Recommended CampsitesUser reviews suggest swimming at the waterfall area and taking caution while driving to the campground.
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Null
Check-out
Null
Guests Allowed Per Site
Null
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutDispersed primitive sites; no detailed layout information.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.
Reservation PlatformsNot reservable online; first-come, first-served.
Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable as first-come, first-served for 6 primitive sites.
Cancellation Policynull
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.
Hiking
The 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."Fishing
Fishing in Deer and Mill Creeks is described as rewarding. No further details on types of fish or fishing regulations are provided.Swimming
Swimming is mentioned as one of the highlights, with a user stating: "The highlight is the swimming pool and a small waterfall."Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfire grills provided at each site; users should follow local fire restrictions.
- Quiet hours are null
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include steep mountainsides on access roads, sloping ground at campsites, and narrow dirt roads.
Active alertsnull
Weather at Black Rock Campground
55
°F
Dec 8
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities
Humidity: 66%
Moderately humid conditions
Wind: 3.8 mph
Gentle breeze, perfect for outdoor activities
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
null
Good to know
Peak season datesnull
Trash and recyclingNo specific trash or recycling facilities are detailed. The wilderness nature of the site suggests pack-out procedures.
Proximity to water featuresMill Creek runs nearby with swimming holes and waterfalls.
Common complaints"The sites themselves are mostly small and not set up well for campers to make their camp," mentions a user. Difficulty accessing the campground due to narrow and rough dirt roads was also noted.
Hostnull
Campground Map
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
null
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.5
6 reviews
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 6 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...
Based on 6 reviewsShow more
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....
Based on 6 reviewsShow more
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 6 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Users highlight the summer months as the best for swimming and escaping the heat. Winter activities are not mentioned.
Based on 6 reviewsCamper 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...
Based on 6 reviewsShow more
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 6 reviewsAccessibility Features
Accessibility for individuals with disabilities is not mentioned in the materials.
Based on 6 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Pet policies are not mentioned.
Based on 6 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated December 7, 2025
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