The best river, stream, or creek camping near Big Bend

·

On the outskirts of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, in the shadow of Chalk Mountain and Bald Peak, lies Big Bend and its glorious wilderness. Set in Shasta County along the Pit River (the longest tributary to the Sacramento River), Big Bend is named for the dramatic change of direction that occurs in the river exactly in that spot. Majestic Cascade Mountains and wide-open, scenic, high-desert vistas await all around with camping, backpacking, boating, and day hiking opportunities. Not to mention, Big Bend and the surrounding region are hotbeds (pun intended) for natural hot springs. Mount Shasta, Lassen National Volcanic Park, and Castle Crags State Park all await within a two-hour drive.

95% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

T3 Tent site on Chaparral Loop

2. Trailer Lane Campground

92%
(265)
38mi from Big Bend · 21 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Weed, CA
Conveniently located along I-5 just south of the CA/OR border, we have 15 acres that are a mix of conifer forest and a chaparral hilltop with spectacular views of Mount Shasta. Our small, friendly campground offers clean, comfortable bathrooms with (free!) hot showers and a coin-op laundry room. Community fire pit and BBQ area, too! Minutes from world-class fishing, hiking, climbing, kayaking, skiing... all year long, it's an outdoorsman's paradise! Use us as your base camp for all your North State adventures! Did we mention we have barn cats, goats, chickens, and turkeys to watch, feed and pet? Fruit trees and wild blackberries. Walking trails through the forest, and the most perfect hilltop spot to kick back in our comfy Adirondacks with a glass of wine to stargaze.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$31
 / night
Wonderland RV And Camping

3. Wonderland RV And Camping

94%
(54)
28mi from Big Bend · 69 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Redding, CA
Wonderland RV and Camping is a popular destination just minutes from Downtown Redding, Shasta Lake, Shasta Caverns, and much more! Nestled away just off of Interstate 5, our stunning park features 33 spacious RV sites, and a large open field for those wanting to pitch a tent, play some games or to let your children and dogs frolic in the sunshine. Wonderland is surrounded by a forest with a relaxing stream running alongside it. We have 30 amp and 50 amp electrical hookups available, water, sewer, WIFI and cable, ensuring a comfortable stay. Additionally, our laundry facility, showers and bathrooms are available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Come discover the beauty of Wonderland! Also, there is a goat and a pig who live on property! In addition to Redding and Shasta, there are several attractions that should be on your itinerary while in the region. The mountain hamlet of Dunsmuir, home of top fly-fishing streams, a railroad museum, and the nearby Castle Crags State Park. Farther away but worth the drive, especially in the warmer months, is Whiskeytown Lake, a 3,000 surface-acre reservoir of crystal-clear water that’s perfect for sailing, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing. If you prefer to stay dry, admire it from the shore and hike to the 220-foot Whiskeytown Falls. A drive to the east are the fascinating steam vents, mud pots, fumaroles, and Sulphur Works of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$35
 / night
Lakehead Creek Retreat

6. Lakehead Creek Retreat

25mi from Big Bend · 1 site · Tent, RV · Lakehead, CA
The campsite is about 3 miles from the river, however the campsite connects to a creek that flows into the river. These creeks run year round and are perfect for taking a dip! This is a 253 Acre property near the Sacramento River that flows through the area of Lakehead near Redding and Shasta lake. There are a couple of really good fishing spots along the river . On the property itself there is 3 year round flowing creeks. Lots of Deer on the property since we don’t hunt and so they come on our land as a little sanctuary. Beautiful view of the Shasta area mountains. Multiple places to hike and find water holes. There is Poison Oak on the property, please be mindful. There are bears, but will normally stay away from the campsite. Please put your food away to prevent wildlife from coming into your camp. There are fish in the Sacramento River that can be fished for. This is the wilderness, there are mosquitos, flys, and other bugs. Please bring bug spray.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Swimming hole up Kosk Creek. "Deliciously cool" on a hot day.

7. Camp Stoney Meadows

100%
(353)
3mi from Big Bend · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Big Bend, CA
Our 120 remote acres are adjacent to Shasta Trinity National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Range between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta in Northern California. It's a working ranch with tree farms, animals, hydroelectric power, sawmill, gardens, orchards, creeks, springs, trails, and our camp alongside Kosk Creek. We're 54 miles from Redding off of 299E, (about 1-1/2 hour drive). DO NOT TAKE ROAD 11 FROM THE NORTH, IT IS CLOSED! PIease try to ignore the "car art" in the Pit River Tribe's Rancheria as you're coming here. Drive right through it, it's no reflection on us. The last mile or so of the road here can be pretty rough, but on arrival, you'll know it's worth the trip! No Cell phone service available here, so it's the perfect opportunity to unplug. We do have a land line up at the house in case of an emergency. Also, if you really need it, WiFi is available at the house.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
ShastaView

15. ShastaView

94%
(163)
36mi from Big Bend · 3 sites · Lodging · Weed, CA
Shasta View Campsites are part of a former 30,000 acre ranch that was split up into smaller parcels in the 1970's. It is comprised of 5 to 500 acre parcels. All these parcels are homesteads. There are no commercial or industrial areas on the Ranch. In 2005, I started looking for land in the Shasta area after falling in love with the Mountain and it's surrounding lakes. I have always known exactly what the land I would spend time on would look like. One day, in 2006, I was driving on the Hammond Ranch, again hoping I would find that place. I was driving my van, with my 2 kids and some of our friends, through a heavily wooded area. I made a left turn down a dusty dirt road and Eureka! I had found IT. I was at the top of a 60 acre meadow that had a full unobstructed view of Mt. Shasta, encircled by lenticular clouds. I told a friend of mine, who was at the time a realtor in the Shasta area, that I had found a piece of land that looks perfect to me. If, that is, it also had a creek on it. She did some searching around and found out that the land that is now Shasta View was in fact for sale. And, it had a creek on it. And it was comprised of some acreage in the meadow and some in the trees. This was everything I had wanted. I bought the land within the next 2 weeks. After camping on the land a few times, I started to understand where the best sites would be to build some structures. Because the meadow always has a certain amount of moisture to the ground, it is not suitable for building a structure. The good thing about that, is that nobody who owns land in that meadow will ever build there. We will only be looking at Mt. Shasta from that meadow. Never a building. The platform I built in the meadow offers on a chance to sleep under the stars. Billions of them. My property is only one of two that have old, large Cedar and Pine trees on it. It made perfect sense that I would be building a small house in those trees. While camping on this land, you will find exquisite beauty and solitude. Within 30 minutes, you will find Lake Siskiyou and Castle Lake for some of the finest swimming around. If you fish, the McCloud and the Sacramento rivers offer some of the best trout fishing in the state. There are two “Blue Ribbon” designated streams. The first is Upper Sacramento River. It starts as a trickle from the melting snows of Mt Shasta and by the time it reaches the area around the town of Dunsmuir which is just south of Shasta City, it is a true “Blue Ribbon” designated trout stream. The place to find all the ins and outs of fly fishing in this area is at the Ted Fay Fly Fishing shop in Dunsmuir. The second “Blue Ribbon” trout fishing is on the McCloud River. Historically some of the best trout fishing to be found. I have fished both these streams and always caught fish. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING IF YOU'LL BE SLEEPING IN THE TREEHOUSE. And need I say anything about hiking on Mt. Shasta?
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$140
 / night
Charcoal grills are provided for all cabins.

17. Lewiston Lake Getaway

100%
(33)
48mi from Big Bend · 3 sites · Lodging · Lewiston, CA
Originally a gold and quartz mine, Lakeview Terrace Resort was built by the Army Corp of Engineers to house the workers building the Trinity Dam in the 1960's.  Experience the rich history and tranquil setting of the Shasta Trinity National Forest!There is a reason some call Lewiston Lake the best-kept secret in California. Far less crowded than neighboring Trinity and nearby Shasta Lakes, Lewiston Lake is the ideal destination when you truly wish to get away from it all. Nestled hillside overlooking the peaceful Lewiston Lake, you will find Lakeview Terrace Resort serving up some of the best camping in Northern California. Large pool, open late spring through the hot months. Playground, Horseshoe pit, Restrooms with showers, Coin laundry, Wi-fi hotspot, Darts, croquet, badminton, ping pong, Fire pits, Amphitheatere. We offer many options for your Lewiston Lake camping adventure.Fully appointed cabin rentals with 1-5 bedrooms Full 30 and 50 amp RV hookups. We'd love to speak with you about your upcoming travel plans.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$195
 / night

On the outskirts of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, in the shadow of Chalk Mountain and Bald Peak, lies Big Bend and its glorious wilderness. Set in Shasta County along the Pit River (the longest tributary to the Sacramento River), Big Bend is named for the dramatic change of direction that occurs in the river exactly in that spot. Majestic Cascade Mountains and wide-open, scenic, high-desert vistas await all around with camping, backpacking, boating, and day hiking opportunities. Not to mention, Big Bend and the surrounding region are hotbeds (pun intended) for natural hot springs. Mount Shasta, Lassen National Volcanic Park, and Castle Crags State Park all await within a two-hour drive.

95% (1.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

T3 Tent site on Chaparral Loop

2. Trailer Lane Campground

92%
(265)
38mi from Big Bend · 21 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Weed, CA
Conveniently located along I-5 just south of the CA/OR border, we have 15 acres that are a mix of conifer forest and a chaparral hilltop with spectacular views of Mount Shasta. Our small, friendly campground offers clean, comfortable bathrooms with (free!) hot showers and a coin-op laundry room. Community fire pit and BBQ area, too! Minutes from world-class fishing, hiking, climbing, kayaking, skiing... all year long, it's an outdoorsman's paradise! Use us as your base camp for all your North State adventures! Did we mention we have barn cats, goats, chickens, and turkeys to watch, feed and pet? Fruit trees and wild blackberries. Walking trails through the forest, and the most perfect hilltop spot to kick back in our comfy Adirondacks with a glass of wine to stargaze.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$31
 / night
Wonderland RV And Camping

3. Wonderland RV And Camping

94%
(54)
28mi from Big Bend · 69 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Redding, CA
Wonderland RV and Camping is a popular destination just minutes from Downtown Redding, Shasta Lake, Shasta Caverns, and much more! Nestled away just off of Interstate 5, our stunning park features 33 spacious RV sites, and a large open field for those wanting to pitch a tent, play some games or to let your children and dogs frolic in the sunshine. Wonderland is surrounded by a forest with a relaxing stream running alongside it. We have 30 amp and 50 amp electrical hookups available, water, sewer, WIFI and cable, ensuring a comfortable stay. Additionally, our laundry facility, showers and bathrooms are available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Come discover the beauty of Wonderland! Also, there is a goat and a pig who live on property! In addition to Redding and Shasta, there are several attractions that should be on your itinerary while in the region. The mountain hamlet of Dunsmuir, home of top fly-fishing streams, a railroad museum, and the nearby Castle Crags State Park. Farther away but worth the drive, especially in the warmer months, is Whiskeytown Lake, a 3,000 surface-acre reservoir of crystal-clear water that’s perfect for sailing, kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing. If you prefer to stay dry, admire it from the shore and hike to the 220-foot Whiskeytown Falls. A drive to the east are the fascinating steam vents, mud pots, fumaroles, and Sulphur Works of Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Pets
Toilets
Full Hookups
from 
$35
 / night
Lakehead Creek Retreat

6. Lakehead Creek Retreat

25mi from Big Bend · 1 site · Tent, RV · Lakehead, CA
The campsite is about 3 miles from the river, however the campsite connects to a creek that flows into the river. These creeks run year round and are perfect for taking a dip! This is a 253 Acre property near the Sacramento River that flows through the area of Lakehead near Redding and Shasta lake. There are a couple of really good fishing spots along the river . On the property itself there is 3 year round flowing creeks. Lots of Deer on the property since we don’t hunt and so they come on our land as a little sanctuary. Beautiful view of the Shasta area mountains. Multiple places to hike and find water holes. There is Poison Oak on the property, please be mindful. There are bears, but will normally stay away from the campsite. Please put your food away to prevent wildlife from coming into your camp. There are fish in the Sacramento River that can be fished for. This is the wilderness, there are mosquitos, flys, and other bugs. Please bring bug spray.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Swimming hole up Kosk Creek. "Deliciously cool" on a hot day.

7. Camp Stoney Meadows

100%
(353)
3mi from Big Bend · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Big Bend, CA
Our 120 remote acres are adjacent to Shasta Trinity National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Range between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta in Northern California. It's a working ranch with tree farms, animals, hydroelectric power, sawmill, gardens, orchards, creeks, springs, trails, and our camp alongside Kosk Creek. We're 54 miles from Redding off of 299E, (about 1-1/2 hour drive). DO NOT TAKE ROAD 11 FROM THE NORTH, IT IS CLOSED! PIease try to ignore the "car art" in the Pit River Tribe's Rancheria as you're coming here. Drive right through it, it's no reflection on us. The last mile or so of the road here can be pretty rough, but on arrival, you'll know it's worth the trip! No Cell phone service available here, so it's the perfect opportunity to unplug. We do have a land line up at the house in case of an emergency. Also, if you really need it, WiFi is available at the house.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night
ShastaView

15. ShastaView

94%
(163)
36mi from Big Bend · 3 sites · Lodging · Weed, CA
Shasta View Campsites are part of a former 30,000 acre ranch that was split up into smaller parcels in the 1970's. It is comprised of 5 to 500 acre parcels. All these parcels are homesteads. There are no commercial or industrial areas on the Ranch. In 2005, I started looking for land in the Shasta area after falling in love with the Mountain and it's surrounding lakes. I have always known exactly what the land I would spend time on would look like. One day, in 2006, I was driving on the Hammond Ranch, again hoping I would find that place. I was driving my van, with my 2 kids and some of our friends, through a heavily wooded area. I made a left turn down a dusty dirt road and Eureka! I had found IT. I was at the top of a 60 acre meadow that had a full unobstructed view of Mt. Shasta, encircled by lenticular clouds. I told a friend of mine, who was at the time a realtor in the Shasta area, that I had found a piece of land that looks perfect to me. If, that is, it also had a creek on it. She did some searching around and found out that the land that is now Shasta View was in fact for sale. And, it had a creek on it. And it was comprised of some acreage in the meadow and some in the trees. This was everything I had wanted. I bought the land within the next 2 weeks. After camping on the land a few times, I started to understand where the best sites would be to build some structures. Because the meadow always has a certain amount of moisture to the ground, it is not suitable for building a structure. The good thing about that, is that nobody who owns land in that meadow will ever build there. We will only be looking at Mt. Shasta from that meadow. Never a building. The platform I built in the meadow offers on a chance to sleep under the stars. Billions of them. My property is only one of two that have old, large Cedar and Pine trees on it. It made perfect sense that I would be building a small house in those trees. While camping on this land, you will find exquisite beauty and solitude. Within 30 minutes, you will find Lake Siskiyou and Castle Lake for some of the finest swimming around. If you fish, the McCloud and the Sacramento rivers offer some of the best trout fishing in the state. There are two “Blue Ribbon” designated streams. The first is Upper Sacramento River. It starts as a trickle from the melting snows of Mt Shasta and by the time it reaches the area around the town of Dunsmuir which is just south of Shasta City, it is a true “Blue Ribbon” designated trout stream. The place to find all the ins and outs of fly fishing in this area is at the Ted Fay Fly Fishing shop in Dunsmuir. The second “Blue Ribbon” trout fishing is on the McCloud River. Historically some of the best trout fishing to be found. I have fished both these streams and always caught fish. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BEDDING IF YOU'LL BE SLEEPING IN THE TREEHOUSE. And need I say anything about hiking on Mt. Shasta?
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$140
 / night
Charcoal grills are provided for all cabins.

17. Lewiston Lake Getaway

100%
(33)
48mi from Big Bend · 3 sites · Lodging · Lewiston, CA
Originally a gold and quartz mine, Lakeview Terrace Resort was built by the Army Corp of Engineers to house the workers building the Trinity Dam in the 1960's.  Experience the rich history and tranquil setting of the Shasta Trinity National Forest!There is a reason some call Lewiston Lake the best-kept secret in California. Far less crowded than neighboring Trinity and nearby Shasta Lakes, Lewiston Lake is the ideal destination when you truly wish to get away from it all. Nestled hillside overlooking the peaceful Lewiston Lake, you will find Lakeview Terrace Resort serving up some of the best camping in Northern California. Large pool, open late spring through the hot months. Playground, Horseshoe pit, Restrooms with showers, Coin laundry, Wi-fi hotspot, Darts, croquet, badminton, ping pong, Fire pits, Amphitheatere. We offer many options for your Lewiston Lake camping adventure.Fully appointed cabin rentals with 1-5 bedrooms Full 30 and 50 amp RV hookups. We'd love to speak with you about your upcoming travel plans.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$195
 / night

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The best river, stream, or creek camping near Big Bend guide

Where to go

Natural hot springs

Big Bend is quite literally a hotbed for natural hot springs, with several st along the Pit River. While there’s no guarantee if or when any particular hot spring will be open, the adventurous can certainly find a spot of their own.

National and state parks

If you’re already in the Big Bend area of Shasta County, Lassen National Volcanic Park, Castle Crags State Park, and Burney Falls are all within a two-hour drive and worth the trek for an incredible camping trip. Hike above 10,000 feet on Mt. Brokeoff or Mt. Lassen in Lassen National Park, make your way up the rough-but-beautiful rock “crags” at Castle Crags, or unwind next to the picturesque natural waterfalls in Burney, enjoying the scenic drives along the way.

Iron Canyon Reservoir

Beyond the Pit River, the Iron Canyon Reservoir sits near Big Bend and offers both canoeing and float tubing. In addition to dispersed camping, there are two designated campgrounds as well: Deadlun Campground and Hawkins Landing Campground.

When to go

Big Bend sits at approximately 1,700 feet above sea level, so while it gets cold in winter, it’s unlikely you’ll be snowed in. Its nearby destinations like Lassen and Mount Shasta, however, put visitors above treeline with the potential to be in need of tire chains fast. In mountain ranges such as the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, trekking is typically safest between Memorial Day and Labor Day for favorable weather and clear roads. Campgrounds in this area’s popular locations are most difficult to obtain in the summertime and over holiday weekends, so it’s best to book in advance online.