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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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

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Modoc National Forest

Modoc National Forest

Big Sage Campground, Modoc National Forest

Reservoir C Campground, Modoc National Forest

Bishop Creek, South Lake Road, near Four Jeffrey Campground, CA

Escape to Mountain Glen Campground, where just five secluded sites await beneath a canopy of quaking aspens and graceful willows. This hidden gem along the melodic waters of Bishop Creek offers the perfect basecamp for tomorrow's alpine adventure or a tranquil week-long retreat from the demands of modern life. Here, intimacy meets wilderness, creating an atmosphere where every camper becomes part of the mountain's quiet rhythm.

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.

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.

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.

Six Rivers National Forest

Tucked away in the vast wilderness of Six Rivers National Forest, Bailey Canyon Campground offers an authentic back-to-nature experience for those seeking solitude and simplicity. This hidden gem provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay, including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, while each thoughtfully arranged campsite comes complete with a sturdy table for meals under the stars and a campfire ring where stories and s'mores come to life after dark.

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.

Eldorado National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Eldorado National Forest, Northwind Campground beckons those seeking solitude amid towering pines and whispering aspens. This hidden gem rewards visitors who venture off the beaten path with pristine natural beauty and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that's increasingly rare in today's busy world. The smooth paved roads leading to this intimate campground make it an accessible retreat where the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and wind through the trees.

Sequoia National Forest

Perched at an impressive 7,800 feet elevation, this mountain retreat features 73 thoughtfully designed campsites nestled among towering pines and crisp mountain air. The campground welcomes RVs up to 24 feet, with each site featuring a paved parking spur for easy setup and bear-proof storage boxes for peace of mind. Adventure seekers will love the direct access to thrilling OHV trails right from camp, while fresh drinking water is available throughout the season. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping off-road adventures or simply yearning to wake up above the clouds, this high-elevation haven offers the perfect basecamp for your mountain escape.

Sequoia National Forest

Rail Creek Rd, Klamath National Forest, California

Escape to the pristine wilderness of Kangaroo Lake Campground, where 18 thoughtfully placed sites await at 6,100 feet among towering conifers and fragrant manzanita. Choose from 13 convenient drive-in sites or venture to one of 5 secluded walk-in tent sites for a more intimate connection with nature. The crown jewel is the crystal-clear, 25-acre lake that plunges to depths of 110 feet—a tranquil haven for paddlers and anglers pursuing rainbow trout in its cool waters. A gentle, quarter-mile paved trail winds through the forest to the lake's edge, making this mountain paradise accessible to all. As you settle into this bear country sanctuary, proper food storage becomes part of the authentic wilderness experience under star-filled skies.