Lower Rush Creek Campground

Star4.05
23 reviews
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Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Modoc National Forest site

Official Website
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Lower Rush Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
There is no fee for camping at Lower Rush Creek Campground.
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

4.05

Satisfactory

Based on 23 reviews

17 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleansites

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, cleanliness, and quiet atmosphere. Several users appreciated the creek, shaded sites, and privacy between campsites. Complaints focused on the lack of potable water and cell phone service."

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Campground Map

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Lower Rush Creek Campground

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Driving directionsFrom Adin, CA, take State Routes 299/139 east 7 miles to Forest Route 22 (County Route 198). Turn right onto Route 22 and go less than 0.1 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign onto Forest Route 40N05 (dirt and gravel) and go 0.6 miles to Lower Rush Creek Campground sign. Turn right after sign into campground.
"From Adin, travel north on Hwy 139/299 for 7.6 miles to County Road 198. Turn right on County Road 198 and go 0.1 miles to Rush Creek Drive/Lower Rush Creek Road. Turn left and continue for 0.5 miles to Lower Rush Creek Campground." Roads are gravel and dirt; trailers over 22 feet are not recommended. During winter, roads may become soft or impassable due to weather conditions.
Nearby places
Adin (7 miles, approximately 10 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Adin, a town on Hwy 299 approximately 7 miles from the campground, likely offers basic supplies, dining options, and fuel.

Best Time to Camp at Lower Rush Creek Campground

The campground experiences dramatic seasonal transformations throughout the year. Summer brings warm, pine-scented days perfect for creek-side relaxation, while autumn paints the forest in golden hues. Winter's arrival brings freezing temperatures and heavy snows that often block access roads, creating an isolated winter wonderland. Spring emerges slowly at this elevation, with wildflowers gradually reclaiming the forest floor. The sweet spot for camping runs from mid-May through the end of October, when nature strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and comfort. Plan your visit between May 15 and November 1 to ensure the roads welcome your arrival.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Summer offers warm, pine-scented days but can bring dust and mosquitoes.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Autumn paints forest in golden hues; fall is noted as popular and quieter.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring popular for moderate temperatures and quieter settings; creek flows noted.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed seasonally (outside May 15–Nov 1); winter camping discouraged.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season is likely May 15 to November 1 as the campground is closed outside this period due to weather conditions.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open seasonally from May 15 to November 1, dependent on weather conditions.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts are specifically mentioned, but seasonal accessibility depends on weather conditions.

About Lower Rush Creek Campground

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.
Lower Rush Creek Campground provides primitive camping with minimal facilities, tent sites, and some RV accommodation. The campground caters to individual campers and small groups.
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Stay Limit
Camping limit is 14 days.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Camping at Lower Rush Creek Campground centers around enjoying nature, scenic drives, and exploring the nearby Ash Creek Wildlife Area. Activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are possible, though amenities for these are minimal.
FishingFishing opportunities for rainbow trout are available in Rush Creek.
Wildlife viewingThe nearby Ash Creek Wildlife Area provides opportunities to observe wildlife.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water is available, and roads may become impassable during inclement weather. Wildlife concerns include the presence of plague-infected nests, as noted by a user review. Campers should keep pets on a leash and watch for private property boundaries.
Active AlertsNo current alerts are specifically mentioned, but seasonal accessibility depends on weather conditions.
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 Lower Rush Creek Campground

Reviews

4.1
23 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Lower Rush Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, cleanliness, and quiet atmosphere. Several users appreciated the creek, shaded sites, and privacy between campsites. Complaints focused on the lack of potable water and cell phone service.
Review Summaries
Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

"Nicest campsite of our 5-day trip." "Free, quiet, easy half mile off paved road." "Cleanest bathroom I’ve ever seen at a campground." "Nice camp sites and sweet little creek and paths."
Based on 23 reviews

Common Concerns

"The place is not well taken care of." "No potable water." "No cell service whatsoever."
Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water. Keep pets on a leash due to potential wildlife hazards. Avoid winter visits due to impassable roads and extreme conditions. Stop in the nearby town on Highway 299 for supplies.
Based on 23 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are popular due to moderate temperatures and quieter settings. Winter camping is discouraged due to weather-related challenges, and summer can bring dust and mosquitos.
Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Surprisingly developed for BLM land. Having trash bins and picnic tables is very handy." "Only one other person there, over Memorial Day Weekend." "Cleanest bathroom I’ve ever seen at a campground."...
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Based on 23 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One user noted: "Dusty closer to the road, but I preferred that to the mosquitos near the stream." Another stated: "Lower Rush is pretty tight but we have a very small RV and it was absolutely lovely...
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Based on 23 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility features were found.
Based on 23 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

"Kept him on a leash per the suggestion on the sign." Users highlighted leash policies and potential wildlife hazards as important considerations for pet owners.
Based on 23 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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