The best desert camping near Calpine

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Looking to go camping near Calpine, California? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 1,100 options available, you're sure to find the perfect campsite for your adventure. Whether you're into horseback riding, wind sports, or snow sports, there's something for everyone. Want to know where other campers are raving about? Check out these top campsites: Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Maple Creek Ranch (307 reviews). Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like campfires, cooking equipment, and trash disposal. So, get ready to pitch your tent and enjoy the great outdoors for as low as $20 per night!

98% (229) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calpine

Olde LYFE Alpacas Milford CA

1. Olde LYFE Alpacas Milford CA

96%
(255)
35mi from Calpine · 3 sites
WE MOVED!! We are excited to present our new locations.... We sit on 5 beautiful acres overlooking Honey Lake in Milford CA. The property is sprinkled with oak and pine trees which make looking at the lake just wonderful. There are many elevations to choose from to pitch your tent! NOTE: Alot of the pics are of our previous location! I'm sure we will accumulate new photos now that we are open again! Olde LYFE Alpacas offers visits with the animals, including an organized 60 min Peaceful Walk with an alpaca, that you make book separately, where you’ll experience them up close. There is a small retail store on site with a variety of products made with alpaca fiber, including the most delightful alpaca socks!! The ranch store is self serve mostly. There are price sheets and payment methods listed!
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night
Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

2. Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

96%
(37)
45mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
We love to pass our free time here in the sunshine and juniper drafts overlooking the Sierras. Some days we watch the electric storms across the valley, other afternoons we picnic and nap while listening to the birds and wind.  We love the peace and silence, which feels remarkably remote and only 20 minutes from Reno.  Learn more about this land: We would love to share our 12 junipered acres with nature enthusiasts like ourselves. Bring your tent or camper and spend afternoons watching beautiful sunsets and wildlife from our land.  Spectacular expansive views across the valley to the Sierras and Mount Rose.  Conveniently 15 minutes from South Reno (40 minutes from North Lake Tahoe), the silence and absolute privacy here are restorative and replenishing.  We do not have trash collection services available and we ask all guest to practice a “leave no trace” philosophy.  **Because of extreme fire risk in our area we ask guests to refrain from having campfires for now. As this area is home to beautiful wildlife (and a few other distant homeowners) please visit with an intent to respect the quiet and privacy that makes this area so pleasurable for us all.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy your time!  
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$131
 / night
Welsh Grizzly Camp

3. Welsh Grizzly Camp

100%
(6)
14mi from Calpine · 2 sites
Tucked in the pines, you'll easily find our 4 acre camping paradise. We offer RV parking with power and water hookups and access to an outhouse. Our sites offer plenty of shade in the trees, picnic benches, a swing set, large open graveled space with outdoor furniture to sit and relax in, play cornhole or grill. Located less than a mile from Lake Davis, for swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, etc. General Store close by, with dump station. Several hiking trails nearby. 5 minute drive to Grizzly Golf Course, 10 minute drive to Portola for Mountain Pizza, Frosty, and more, just 20 minutes to Graeeagle Shops, Breweries, Fine Dining, horseback riding and other activities. This is the perfect place to camp with your family and friends!
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$80
 / night
Washoe Lake State Park

4. Washoe Lake State Park

100%
(1)
State park 46mi from Calpine · 49 sites
Just a stone’s throw from Reno and Carson City, this park sits on a lake at the base of the Tahoe Range.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
The Range Rural Raw Desert

5. The Range Rural Raw Desert

31mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
🌵 Welcome to O’Doyle Grade! 🌵 Pitch your tent or park your RV in the raw desert beauty of Doyle—where wide-open skies meet small-town charm. Just 10 minutes from Plumas Forest (home to some of the area’s best-kept bouldering secrets) and only 30 seconds from the friendly Buck Inn Bar, you’ll be perfectly positioned for both adventure and relaxation. Enjoy a quiet rural escape just off the freeway, with endless forest fun and mountain views only moments away. Whether you’re here for climbing, exploring, or simply soaking in the peace of the high desert, O’Doyle Grade is your gateway to it all.
Pets
from 
$19
 / night
The 395 Ranch, Seclusion & Views!

6. The 395 Ranch, Seclusion & Views!

33mi from Calpine · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
This property lies at the base of the Sierra Mountains, approximately 9 miles north of Doyle, CA on the west side of US Route 395. Access to the ranch road is from US Route 395. Its elevation starts at 3800 feet and rises higher than 5,000 feet. The lower half is rolling high chaparral and the upper half is steep with forest land that was burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire. There are still plenty of live trees left. This ranch lies in Deer Hunting Zone X6b. Lassen National Forest is on the west boundary of this ranch, with a gate that allows access to the national forest. The 395 Ranch boasts incredible views for nearly 75 miles. The ground is primarily decomposed granite so mud never becomes a problem. Wind can be strong when weather systems approach. The campsites are very basic with no toilet facilities (at this time) but water is available for cooking and washing dishes. An outdoor enclosed shower is available as well. At this time (summer) the water is naturally warm from the pipe’s exposure to the sun and hot water from a flash heater will be available in the near future. Tents can be erected almost anywhere on the property, but campfires are strictly prohibited until the rainy/cold season. Water and an electric hookup is available next to the barn for RVs and travel trailers at an additional cost. Sewer service is not available. There is also an older but nice three-bedroom, one bath home that is also available for short term rentals. It is heated during the winter by two wood burning stoves and cooled comfortably during the summer with a swamp cooler. The rent for this house is based on the season, ranging from $169-$229 nightly plus extra fees for pets or more than three people. Visitors of the past have found hiking, looking for artifacts and rocks to be fun activities. It’s also been an amazing place for stargazing and using telescopes. Others simply enjoyed relaxing and enjoying the peace, quiet and views. High quality campfire wood is available for $12.00 a bundle.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
from 
$22
 / night
JD Hemphill Ranch Corner

7. JD Hemphill Ranch Corner

100%
(8)
43mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
JD Hemphill Ranch is fourth generation cattle and hay ranch on the edge of the Great Basin. We have great views of both the Sierra and the Skedaddle Mountains. We offer a quiet campsite minutes from Highway 395 on a tranquil county road named after the family. Biking and walking is easy and can be done without fear of traffic. We are close to bike trails and the Bizz Johnson Rails to Trails project is just 17 minutes away in Susanville.
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$20
 / night

Looking to go camping near Calpine, California? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 1,100 options available, you're sure to find the perfect campsite for your adventure. Whether you're into horseback riding, wind sports, or snow sports, there's something for everyone. Want to know where other campers are raving about? Check out these top campsites: Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews), and Maple Creek Ranch (307 reviews). Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like campfires, cooking equipment, and trash disposal. So, get ready to pitch your tent and enjoy the great outdoors for as low as $20 per night!

98% (229) 11 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Calpine

Olde LYFE Alpacas Milford CA

1. Olde LYFE Alpacas Milford CA

96%
(255)
35mi from Calpine · 3 sites
WE MOVED!! We are excited to present our new locations.... We sit on 5 beautiful acres overlooking Honey Lake in Milford CA. The property is sprinkled with oak and pine trees which make looking at the lake just wonderful. There are many elevations to choose from to pitch your tent! NOTE: Alot of the pics are of our previous location! I'm sure we will accumulate new photos now that we are open again! Olde LYFE Alpacas offers visits with the animals, including an organized 60 min Peaceful Walk with an alpaca, that you make book separately, where you’ll experience them up close. There is a small retail store on site with a variety of products made with alpaca fiber, including the most delightful alpaca socks!! The ranch store is self serve mostly. There are price sheets and payment methods listed!
Pets
Campfires
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night
Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

2. Sunshine, Serenity and Sierras

96%
(37)
45mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
We love to pass our free time here in the sunshine and juniper drafts overlooking the Sierras. Some days we watch the electric storms across the valley, other afternoons we picnic and nap while listening to the birds and wind.  We love the peace and silence, which feels remarkably remote and only 20 minutes from Reno.  Learn more about this land: We would love to share our 12 junipered acres with nature enthusiasts like ourselves. Bring your tent or camper and spend afternoons watching beautiful sunsets and wildlife from our land.  Spectacular expansive views across the valley to the Sierras and Mount Rose.  Conveniently 15 minutes from South Reno (40 minutes from North Lake Tahoe), the silence and absolute privacy here are restorative and replenishing.  We do not have trash collection services available and we ask all guest to practice a “leave no trace” philosophy.  **Because of extreme fire risk in our area we ask guests to refrain from having campfires for now. As this area is home to beautiful wildlife (and a few other distant homeowners) please visit with an intent to respect the quiet and privacy that makes this area so pleasurable for us all.  Thanks for visiting and enjoy your time!  
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$131
 / night
Welsh Grizzly Camp

3. Welsh Grizzly Camp

100%
(6)
14mi from Calpine · 2 sites
Tucked in the pines, you'll easily find our 4 acre camping paradise. We offer RV parking with power and water hookups and access to an outhouse. Our sites offer plenty of shade in the trees, picnic benches, a swing set, large open graveled space with outdoor furniture to sit and relax in, play cornhole or grill. Located less than a mile from Lake Davis, for swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, etc. General Store close by, with dump station. Several hiking trails nearby. 5 minute drive to Grizzly Golf Course, 10 minute drive to Portola for Mountain Pizza, Frosty, and more, just 20 minutes to Graeeagle Shops, Breweries, Fine Dining, horseback riding and other activities. This is the perfect place to camp with your family and friends!
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from 
$80
 / night
Washoe Lake State Park

4. Washoe Lake State Park

100%
(1)
State park 46mi from Calpine · 49 sites
Just a stone’s throw from Reno and Carson City, this park sits on a lake at the base of the Tahoe Range.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
The Range Rural Raw Desert

5. The Range Rural Raw Desert

31mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
🌵 Welcome to O’Doyle Grade! 🌵 Pitch your tent or park your RV in the raw desert beauty of Doyle—where wide-open skies meet small-town charm. Just 10 minutes from Plumas Forest (home to some of the area’s best-kept bouldering secrets) and only 30 seconds from the friendly Buck Inn Bar, you’ll be perfectly positioned for both adventure and relaxation. Enjoy a quiet rural escape just off the freeway, with endless forest fun and mountain views only moments away. Whether you’re here for climbing, exploring, or simply soaking in the peace of the high desert, O’Doyle Grade is your gateway to it all.
Pets
from 
$19
 / night
The 395 Ranch, Seclusion & Views!

6. The 395 Ranch, Seclusion & Views!

33mi from Calpine · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
This property lies at the base of the Sierra Mountains, approximately 9 miles north of Doyle, CA on the west side of US Route 395. Access to the ranch road is from US Route 395. Its elevation starts at 3800 feet and rises higher than 5,000 feet. The lower half is rolling high chaparral and the upper half is steep with forest land that was burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire. There are still plenty of live trees left. This ranch lies in Deer Hunting Zone X6b. Lassen National Forest is on the west boundary of this ranch, with a gate that allows access to the national forest. The 395 Ranch boasts incredible views for nearly 75 miles. The ground is primarily decomposed granite so mud never becomes a problem. Wind can be strong when weather systems approach. The campsites are very basic with no toilet facilities (at this time) but water is available for cooking and washing dishes. An outdoor enclosed shower is available as well. At this time (summer) the water is naturally warm from the pipe’s exposure to the sun and hot water from a flash heater will be available in the near future. Tents can be erected almost anywhere on the property, but campfires are strictly prohibited until the rainy/cold season. Water and an electric hookup is available next to the barn for RVs and travel trailers at an additional cost. Sewer service is not available. There is also an older but nice three-bedroom, one bath home that is also available for short term rentals. It is heated during the winter by two wood burning stoves and cooled comfortably during the summer with a swamp cooler. The rent for this house is based on the season, ranging from $169-$229 nightly plus extra fees for pets or more than three people. Visitors of the past have found hiking, looking for artifacts and rocks to be fun activities. It’s also been an amazing place for stargazing and using telescopes. Others simply enjoyed relaxing and enjoying the peace, quiet and views. High quality campfire wood is available for $12.00 a bundle.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
from 
$22
 / night
JD Hemphill Ranch Corner

7. JD Hemphill Ranch Corner

100%
(8)
43mi from Calpine · 1 site · Tent, RV
JD Hemphill Ranch is fourth generation cattle and hay ranch on the edge of the Great Basin. We have great views of both the Sierra and the Skedaddle Mountains. We offer a quiet campsite minutes from Highway 395 on a tranquil county road named after the family. Biking and walking is easy and can be done without fear of traffic. We are close to bike trails and the Bizz Johnson Rails to Trails project is just 17 minutes away in Susanville.
Pets
Picnic table
from 
$20
 / night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field