Cottonwood Flat Campground

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is reachable only by shallow-draft boat.

Escape to true wilderness at this remote paddle-in campground, where three pristine camping areas await along the shores of Ja She Creek, Crystal Springs, and Horr Pond. Accessible only by canoe or kayak, this hidden gem offers adventurous souls a chance to disconnect from the modern world and immerse themselves in untouched nature. While amenities are limited to basic pit toilets, the reward is an authentic backcountry experience few ever discover.

Modoc National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Modoc National Forest, Ash Creek Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness experience. This intimate, primitive campground serves as your gateway to pristine fishing waters, scenic hiking trails, and prime hunting grounds, offering a true escape from the modern world where nature takes center stage.

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Tucked away in the heart of Modoc National Forest, Lower Rush Creek Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness experience without the crowds or fees. This hidden gem unfolds across two distinct camping areas, each with its own character. The first section welcomes RVs up to 22 feet and traditional tent campers in a cozy loop configuration, while the second area reveals secluded walk-in tent sites perfect for those craving solitude. Towering cedar and Ponderosa pines cast dappled shadows across the grounds as Rush Creek whispers its timeless melody through both sections. While this free campground offers no modern amenities like potable water, it compensates with raw natural beauty and the freedom to disconnect. Pack your water and supplies, and prepare for a genuine back-to-basics camping experience. Note that winter snows can render access roads impassable, transforming this summer sanctuary into a snow-locked wilderness.

Modoc National Forest

Tucked away in a serene tree-lined gulch, Howard's Gulch Campground offers an intimate escape where the whisper of wind through pines replaces the clamor of daily life. This hidden gem features a single, thoughtfully designed loop that winds through the landscape, creating private pockets of tranquility for each campsite. Whether you're seeking a peaceful weekend retreat or a memorable stopover on your journey through Northern California, the campground serves as your gateway to exceptional day hikes and some of the region's most rewarding birdwatching opportunities.

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Nestled in the heart of Modoc National Forest, Big Sage Campground offers adventurers a gateway to the untamed beauty of California's high desert country. This rustic retreat sits alongside the expansive Big Sage Reservoir, where juniper trees stand sentinel over endless sagebrush plains. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn, casting a line into the reservoir's quiet waters, or simply savoring a sunset picnic with loved ones, this campground delivers an authentic wilderness experience far from the crowds.

Modoc National Forest

Nestled along the pristine shoreline of a mountain reservoir, this hidden gem invites you to pitch your tent beneath a cathedral of towering pines. Each generously-sized campsite offers the perfect balance of lakeside access and forest shade, where the gentle whisper of pine needles mingles with the soft lapping of water against the shore. Whether you're seeking solitude or family adventure, Reservoir F Campground provides a refreshing escape into nature's embrace.

Reservoir C Campground, Modoc National Forest

Nestled along the tranquil waterfront with convenient access to the boat ramp, Reservoir C Campground offers an intimate escape where nature's serenity takes center stage. Here, partially shaded sites blend seamlessly with the shoreline, creating peaceful retreats perfect for those seeking respite from the everyday. When darkness falls, the absence of light pollution transforms this haven into a stargazer's paradise, where the Milky Way stretches across the sky in breathtaking clarity, making it a coveted destination for amateur astronomers and anyone who dreams under the stars.

P.O. Box 1240, Tulelake, CA, 96134, USA

Nestled within the dramatic volcanic landscape of Lava Beds National Monument, Indian Well Campground serves as your gateway to an otherworldly adventure. This intimate 43-site campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, welcoming everyone from solo tent campers to families with small trailers and motorhomes up to 30 feet. Each thoughtfully spaced site comes equipped with its own picnic table, fire ring, and cooking grill, creating the perfect basecamp for exploring the monument's mysterious lava tube caves and rugged terrain. While the campground accommodates various camping styles, those with larger motorhomes should note that some sites are better suited for tent camping and smaller rigs.

Modoc National Forest

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Modoc National Forest

Modoc National Forest

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Reservoir C Campground, Modoc National Forest

INYO, CA, USA

Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra, Big Pine Canyon offers adventurers a gateway to some of California's most dramatic alpine wilderness. This stunning canyon serves as your basecamp for exploring ancient glaciers, crystal-clear mountain lakes, and towering granite peaks that pierce the sky at over 14,000 feet. Whether you're seeking challenging mountaineering routes or peaceful streamside camping, Big Pine Canyon delivers an authentic High Sierra experience that will leave you breathless—both from the altitude and the sheer beauty surrounding you.

1 Visitor Center Dr Lee Vining, CA 93541

Tucked into a scenic bend along the melodious Lee Vining Creek, Big Bend Campground invites adventurers to claim one of its 17 intimate campsites within the majestic Inyo National Forest. This hidden gem serves as the perfect basecamp for those drawn to both Yosemite's stunning Tuolumne Meadows entrance and the otherworldly landscapes of Mono Basin Scenic Area. Each site comes equipped with essential amenities including vault toilets, fresh potable water, and bear-proof food storage lockers to ensure both comfort and wildlife safety during your stay.

Modoc National Forest

Nestled at the gateway to the South Warner Wilderness, Pepperdine Campground offers three distinct camping experiences in one remarkable location. Equestrian enthusiasts will discover a dedicated horse camp complete with convenient stock water and pole stalls at select sites. The trailhead staging area beckons adventurers with ample parking and corrals, serving as your launching point into the wilderness. For those seeking a more intimate experience, a cozy family camping loop awaits beneath a canopy of ancient fir trees. As a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility, Pepperdine encourages visitors to embrace Leave No Trace principles while immersing themselves in this pristine mountain environment.

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Gather your favorite people at Camp 4 Group Campsite, where up to 35 adventurers can create lasting memories together in the heart of nature. This thoughtfully developed campground welcomes groups with everything needed for the perfect outdoor gathering – spacious picnic tables for shared meals under towering trees, crackling fire pits for evening storytelling, convenient vault toilets, and regular garbage collection that lets you focus on what matters most: quality time with friends and family.

Upper Soda Springs Campground, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

Nestled in the heart of Reds Meadow Valley, Upper Soda Springs Campground offers an intimate escape where the melodic San Joaquin River becomes your constant companion. This tranquil retreat features 28 thoughtfully spaced campsites, each equipped with bear-proof lockers, picnic tables, and access to pristine pit toilets and fresh potable water. Adventure beckons from every direction—cast a line into the crystal-clear river waters, set out on scenic trails that wind through ancient forests, or venture to the nearby geological wonder of Devil's Postpile National Monument and the breathtaking cascade of Rainbow Falls.

13652 Highway 79 Julian, CA 92036

Saddle up for an unforgettable equestrian adventure at Los Vaqueros Group Horse Campground, where the spirit of the Old West meets modern camping comfort. This specialized horse-friendly retreat beckons riders and their four-legged companions with direct access to the legendary California Riding and Hiking Trail. Well-appointed horse corrals ensure your equine partners rest as comfortably as you do, making this the perfect basecamp for exploring miles of scenic trails that wind through California's stunning backcountry.

Doran Regional Park

Nestled along a stunning 2-mile stretch of sandy beach on Bodega Bay, Doran Regional Park Campground offers 112 year-round campsites where the Pacific Ocean meets coastal adventure. With five distinct camping zones ranging from harbor-side spots to tent-only areas, this family-friendly destination combines beach camping with exceptional access to fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. Whether you're launching your kayak into the bay, exploring tide pools along the rock jetty, or simply enjoying soft sand and mellow surf, Doran delivers a quintessential California coastal camping experience.

Mendocino National Forest

Tucked into a peaceful inlet at Lake Pillsbury's northwestern corner, this campground offers the perfect blend of lakeside tranquility and easy water access. Just a short stroll from your campsite, the shimmering waters of Mendocino National Forest's largest lake beckon with endless possibilities for adventure. Whether you're launching your boat from the nearby ramp at dawn, casting a line into the crystal-clear waters, or taking an afternoon swim, this scenic basecamp puts you at the heart of one of Northern California's most beloved recreational lakes.

17119 Avenue of the Giants, Weott CA 95571

Escape into the cathedral-like sanctuary of Hamilton Barn Environmental Campground, where primitive hike-in campsites nestle beneath towering old-growth redwoods. This hidden gem rewards adventurous souls with unparalleled privacy and profound solitude, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's ancient rhythms.

CA-108, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, California

Nestled along the scenic Sonora Pass on CA-108, Sonora Bridge Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with 22 tranquil sites carved into a landscape of towering Jeffrey pines and aromatic sagebrush. Here, where the melodious West Walker River flows just steps away, anglers cast their lines into pristine waters while hikers set off to explore the dramatic high country. This rustic mountain retreat offers the perfect basecamp for your Sierra Nevada adventures, complete with firewood available on-site to fuel evening campfires under star-studded skies.