Elam Campground

4.58

42 reviews

Featured in:Camping Near Lassen Volcanic National Park

Quick Facts

4,501 ft

Price

$28/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

May 15, 2025

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

4,501 ft

Price

$28/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

May 15, 2025

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens booking site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Elam Campground

$28.00 - $28.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Facility rates showed that no discounts or significant price differences were noted for specific time ranges.

Standard Site Fee$28.00

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

4.58

Top-Rated

Based on 42 reviews

51 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanwater

"Elam Campground is described as a small, peaceful destination with convenient access to highway routes, making it an ideal stopover for travelers. While the proximity to the highway is appreciated by some for convenience, others find the traffic noise disruptive. The campground is noted for its quaint charm and serene creekside setting, making it a favorite for repeat family visits."

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Campground Map

Elam Campground

40.2491, -121.4486

Best Time to Camp at Elam Campground

Experience nature's ever-changing canvas as each season paints the landscape with its unique palette. Spring arrives with wildflower meadows bursting into color and gentle rains that awaken the forest floor. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for swimming and hiking, with cool mountain breezes providing natural air conditioning. Fall transforms the campground into a photographer's paradise of golden aspens and crimson maples, while crisp nights invite cozy gatherings around the fire. Winter blankets the area in pristine snow, creating a wonderland for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts willing to brave the cold for unparalleled serenity.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summers busier with families fishing and creek activities; positive seasonal reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Cooler months are quieter and wildlife is more visible; pleasant fall conditions noted.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring wildflowers and gentle rains are highlighted; attractive season for visits.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Fewer visitors in cooler months; no winter recreation or services described.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: May 15, 2025

About Elam Campground

Escape to a hidden sanctuary where towering pines whisper ancient stories and crystal-clear streams carve their way through untouched wilderness. This remarkable campground offers the perfect blend of backcountry adventure and accessible comfort, inviting you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature's timeless rhythms. Whether you're seeking solitary reflection beneath star-studded skies or family memories around crackling campfires, this pristine retreat delivers an authentic outdoor experience that will linger in your heart long after you've returned home.

Elam Campground offers standard camping sites, accommodating both tents and RVs. It provides a developed camping experience with basic facilities like picnic tables and grills.

Historical SignificanceStep into a living museum where indigenous peoples once followed seasonal hunting paths and early settlers carved out homesteads from the wilderness. Ancient petroglyphs etched into nearby cliff faces tell stories spanning millennia, while remnants of old mining camps and pioneer cabins offer glimpses into the dreams and hardships of those who came before. The campground sits along historic trading routes that connected distant communities, and local legends speak of hidden treasures and ghostly encounters that add mystique to evening campfire tales. Today, interpretive trails and educational programs help visitors connect with this rich tapestry of human history woven into the natural landscape.

Weather and SeasonsExperience nature's ever-changing canvas as each season paints the landscape with its unique palette. Spring arrives with wildflower meadows bursting into color and gentle rains that awaken the forest floor. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for swimming and hiking, with cool mountain breezes providing natural air conditioning. Fall transforms the campground into a photographer's paradise of golden aspens and crimson maples, while crisp nights invite cozy gatherings around the fire. Winter blankets the area in pristine snow, creating a wonderland for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts willing to brave the cold for unparalleled serenity.

ElevationPerched at an elevation that strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and alpine adventure, the campground offers a natural climate advantage that extends the camping season. The altitude creates a unique microclimate where summer temperatures remain pleasantly cool even during heat waves in the valleys below, while the thinner air adds a crisp clarity to morning sunrises and evening stargazing. This elevation supports a diverse ecosystem where lowland and mountain species converge, creating exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors should allow time to acclimate to the altitude, but most find the slight breathlessness a small price to pay for the spectacular vistas and refreshing mountain air.

Natural Features and SceneryNature has crafted a masterpiece of diverse landscapes that unfold like chapters in an epic adventure novel. Dramatic granite cliffs rise like ancient sentinels, their faces painted with lichens in shades of orange and green. Pristine alpine lakes mirror the sky with such clarity that clouds seem to float both above and below. Meandering trails lead through groves of old-growth forest where shafts of sunlight create natural cathedrals, while hidden waterfalls reward those who venture off the beaten path. Wildlife thrives in this protected habitat – from majestic elk grazing in dawn meadows to playful otters in mountain streams, each day brings new discoveries for observant visitors.

Geological RegionImmerse yourself in a geological wonderland millions of years in the making, where ancient forces have sculpted a landscape that tells Earth's epic story. Volcanic activity, glacial carving, and tectonic shifts have created a terrain rich with fascinating formations – from towering spires of columnar basalt to smooth granite domes polished by ice age glaciers. Mineral-rich hot springs bubble up from deep underground, their vibrant colors creating natural art installations. Rock hounds delight in discovering semi-precious stones and fossils that speak of prehistoric seas and extinct creatures. Educational signage throughout the campground helps visitors decode the geological mysteries surrounding them, turning every hike into a journey through deep time.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people per site

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMultiple links and phone contact numbers and varrets.

Walk-in Availability}}

Cancellation PolicyReservations cannot be canceled within any activity or policy

Site SizeThe campground contains 15 designated campsites, which are described as small by some reviewers.

PrivacySites are in a small campground, suggesting limited privacy.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at Elam Campground include fishing in the creek, hiking in nearby trails, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the natural surroundings and creekside ambiance.

HikingThe campground is close to hiking opportunities, though specific trail details are not provided.

FishingFishing is a popular activity, especially for families. Children enjoy fishing in the creek, which is said to be stocked, while adults can explore further upstream for larger fish.

Wildlife viewingCampers have reported seeing deer and chipmunks in the area, adding to the wildlife experience.

Weather at Elam Campground

Reviews

4.6

42 reviews

Top-Rated

Elam Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Elam Campground is described as a small, peaceful destination with convenient access to highway routes, making it an ideal stopover for travelers. While the proximity to the highway is appreciated by some for convenience, others find the traffic noise disruptive. The campground is noted for its quaint charm and serene creekside setting, making it a favorite for repeat family visits.

Review Summaries

Based on 42 reviews

What Campers Love

"Nice little campground w/ fee, right along Highway 32 N of Chico. Super convenient overnight stop near 2 highways," notes a reviewer. Others highlight the clean facilities, the lovely creek for...

Based on 42 reviews

Common Concerns

The campground's proximity to the highway is a common complaint, with noise being disruptive to some campers. Some users have also expressed dissatisfaction with the presence of RVs running...

Based on 42 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Plan for no mobile service, as the signal is out from an hour south of the campground to Chester." Another tip includes keeping food secure as bears have been known to frequent the area.

Based on 42 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summers are busier with families fishing and enjoying the creek, while weekdays tend to be quieter. The cooler months see fewer visitors, and wildlife like deer may be more visible.

Based on 42 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Clean campgrounds. People we met were very cool and the place was dead silent at night." "Great campsite, nice people, just a bit close to the road for unbroken sleep."

Based on 42 reviews