Forest camping near Chico

Answer the call of the wild in Chico—your gateway to Butte County reservoirs and the Sierra Nevada.

96% (2088 reviews)
96% (2088 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Chico

Under $50

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12 top forest campgrounds near Chico

99%
(875)

Maple Creek Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Cohasset, CA
The Maple Creek Ranch and Tree Farm has been family owned and operated since 1934. The patriarch of the family, whose family had moved here from Sweden, had a great love of the forest and trains. The property was one of the first certified tree farms in California with the goal of nurturing a healthy forest. In the 1960’s, a mile of railroad tracks was laid and the whistle of a small, steam engine train could be heard throughout the community. Local residents and kids were treated to free train rides and special events for many years.There is a natural spring with a small creek that supplies the ponds with fresh water year around. There is also a small canyon on the property with a larger stream called Mud Creek. The land is rich in Indian history and there a artifacts and other signs on the Indians presence.The Cohasset area is relatively unknown. 15 miles from our property is Deer Creek and the Lasson National Forest is about a 2 hour drive north.  While staying with us you can pitch your tent on our private 500 acres. We have 2  primitive camping spots on our property. Each spot has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a flush toilet shared for both camp sites. * During freezing weather the toilets may be closed so they don’t freeze! Please check before booking *The spots are spread out to ensure privacy. Our property is surrounded by the forest and is loaded with deer, squirrels, turkeys and other forest animals. We have numerous walking trails, a fresh water pond for fishing and swimming. Please notify us if you have an RV.  Site 1 is best for RV's. Site 2 can accommodate smaller RV's. We look forward to meeting you!
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$60
 / night
95%
(138)

Lake Concow Campground

99 sites · RVs, TentsOroville, CA
Ancestors of Maidu people lived here long ago. European settlers arrived and took control of the area. In recent history, a multi-cultural group of community members formed the Konkow Partnership to attempt to hold, steward, and preserve the wilderness that survives here. We look forward to your post fire visit.Learn more about this land:Congratulations Campers!  The campground is reopened after the last couple of years of wild fires and tough winters. We are reopened even as repairs and upgrades are being made. Thank you to all visitors who love this place for your patience as we continue to improve the features of the Campground. Stay tuned for progress reports. We hope to see you real soon. Visit, fish, or camp in a rare jewel forest, hidden in the Sierra/Cascade foothills, less than an hour's drive to Chico, Oroville, or Paradise. Surviving forests of mature cedars, pines, oaks, and madrones provide shady camping, fishing along the lake shore, or picnicing along the banks of the creek that runs through a recovering creekside area. Stargaze or fly kites in our Great Meadow or admire copious wildflowers and other native plants on over 80 acres of wilderness. We provide a variety of recovering wilderness areas near water faucets, pit toilets and an RV dump station. Our site features mature forests, grassy meadows, a year-round creek in a fire recovery zone. The site also features lakefront shoreline access for bank fishing, a central fire pit and lots of space for group camping. Fires are permitted in the central pit when weather allows. The Lake Concow/Konkow Campground is a wilderness sanctuary and houses many variety of rare and endangered plants, animals, and insects. Please be aware of and give respectful space to all of the residents of the park. The list of year round residents may include poison oak, thorny berry vines, mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, deer, eagles, osprey, owls, squirrels, skunks, foxes, bears, mountain lions, snakes, bats, and more. Please be responsible for personal camp supplies and trash. The Campground is a Pack In/Pack Out location and garbage cans are supplied near the office house near the entrance. Good hiking shoes, protective clothing, and hats are recommended. All Campground faucets supply delicious, potable water tested regularly. The modern listings spell the name Concow, Ancestors spelled it Konkow. Both are correct, though may give different search results. There is plenty of room for parking large vehicles and for turning around. TOW VEHICLES MUST STAY THE DURATION OF THE CAMPING VISIT. Sorry, we DO NOT allow towed-in-and-dropped-off campers or 5th wheel trailers at this time. This may change as clean up work progresses through the year. Stay tuned for updates. Thank you.
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$20
 / night
98%
(2055)

Mill Creek Resort

48 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Mineral, CA
Welcome! We’re Jillian and Joe, along with our sidekicks Sonora + Ayla, the brains and the brawn behind Mill Creek Resort. Since 2017, we have been pouring every ounce of our love and energy into this landmark 1930’s resort. We take great pride in honoring it's rich history while creating a space for the next generation of mountain adventurers. Nestled in 12 acres of cedars and towering pines on the south side of Lassen Volcanic National Park, we offer 9 cabins open year-round, along with 17 campsites, some featuring glamping tents and 8 RV spots, one featuring a vintage 70's trailer and 2015 modern RV. We hope your path leads you here to experience all that Lassen has to offer. Miles of trails, pristine waters, dark skies, and wildlife abound, all awaiting to be discovered. Find your Wild, be kind, and leave no trace.
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$35
 / night
100%
(47)

Windsong Ridge Village

5 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · North San Juan, CA
Welcome to Windsong Ridge, an evolving homestead on 25 acres of oak, pine, and manzanita woodland about 30 minutes outside of the historic gold rush towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City in Nevada County, CA. The property overlooks the iconic South Yuba River canyon and is 100% solar-powered and off grid with excellent cell coverage (Verizon and T-Mobile). Come be serenaded by the wind chimes throughout the property. Enjoy sitting by a fire and you may hear the coyotes in the distance after a day of swimming, hiking, paddling, site-seeing or attending one of the many festivals held throughout the year in town. We are at 1800 feet, therefore the summers are hot (sometimes in the triple digits), and winters are mild (snow is a surprising event at this elevation). We have developed an RV/tent site called Manzanita Rock Meadow (includes a wood-burning chiminea, composting toilet, trash, grill, and tables), with a pad for a van, RV and/or tent and plenty of room to spread out and set up camp. Hike the adjacent trails on public lands or enjoy hiking trails in the state park along the Yuba River. Bring your kayak or paddle board to Englebright Lake at any time of year. In less than two hours, you can visit Truckee, Lake Tahoe, or the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin areas and much more. In town you will find a variety excellent restaurants, farmers markets, live entertainment and wildly popular events throughout the year. We’ll be happy to help you plan your visit! (Start by checking out https://www.nevadacountygold.com/) We keep bags of instant light charcoal available for sale if you need it for $5. A bundle of firewood is available for $5 as well.
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$40
 / night
96%
(403)

Sierra Sol Camp

11 sites · Lodging18 acres · Camptonville, CA
Welcome to Sierra Sol Camp! We have 9 different sites available to book as well as the option to book the entire property. Please scroll down to see all of the available options. Here are the sites we offer: -Sierra Sol Diva Den (cabin) -Water Tower (cabin) -Daisy Belle (canvas tent) -Rise and Shine (canvas tent) -Sierra Sol Camp Lotus (cabin) -Sierra Sol Vintage Trailer (onsite trailer) -Sierra Shipping Container Retreat (cabin) -Sierra Sol Main Cabin (cabin) -Sierra Sol Camp Whole Property (all sites) The Sierra Sol Camp project has been hosting community events and friend gathering for years. We take great pride in extending a warm and welcoming space for all our visitors and extending the invitation to campers was a great next step. We have listings ranging from yurts to shipping containers, an old water tower converted to a mini suit to a vintage trailer and canvas tents. The diva den was my old music studio and the main cabin is our family cabin. This is a magical and sacred space filled with a ton of memories please come join our community and nook in the sierras and make some more. We are based in between the middle fork of the Yuba river right where it meets up with Oregon Creek. If you like a long walk it is 2.5 miles down the dirt road to Oregon Creek and the middle fork of the Yuba. Driving takes 5 to 10 mins. The other direction is the largest lake in our county Bullards Bar Reservoir and Emerald Cove Marina. We are 1 mile down Marysville Rd. from a launch called dark day. There is a trailhead at the top of overflow boat parking for a public swimming hole on the lake. On our property, we have a main house with its own private facilities such as a kitchen, shower, and bath. On the land, we have 9 total unique cabin and canvas tent structures converted into boutique-like campsites. We have an epic outdoor entertaining kitchen and patio with an outdoor pizza oven and a little dog rinse behind the outdoor shower. The bathhouse is right across the way and provides a private but shared guest shower house, tub and sink. The sauna and fenced-in dog area are near the shipping container site. The sauna has just been remodelled with a shower and bathtub right outside the sauna house. Like anywhere in the woods there is an hour at sunset when you may have mosquitoes down near the sites in the spring and some of the summers depending on the year. We have a natural spray for that or fans in the kitchen. Off the path, you may find poison oak in the thick of the woods. So please stay on the marked trails.
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$100
 / night
83%
(6)

Ring of fire ranchero

3 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Chico, CA
Quiet peaceful nature nudity and marijuana allowedLearn more about this land:Beautiful view of canyon, trees manzanita, oak, pine, bay trees very private, remote, lots of wildlife. Perfect for motorcycle dirt bike or mountain bike enthusiasts.
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$46
 / night
99%
(182)

Hickman Family Vineyards

3 sites · Tents15 acres · Bangor, CA
Our love affair with wine began in the late 90s. We could not get enough of the wine tasting experience in our native Sonoma County. Before we knew it, Alyse was working for a small startup winery owned by Korbel. This afforded us insight and access to the production side of the wine world, and before long, we were cultivating our own ideas for a startup winery. One of the defining features of this industry is the willingness of everyone to share their knowledge. We are very appreciative of those accomplished individuals that helped us along the way.Our dream soon led us to the foothills and the former gold rush town of Bangor. This is the second time Tod has lived in Bangor. The first time was in Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. The oak studded foothills and terroir reminded us of the eastern side of Sonoma County. Affordable land and a favorable business and regulatory climate completed the package, making Bangor California our new home.We started developing the winery property in January 2002. The first acre of zinfandel was planted in the spring of 2005. We officially opened the winery doors to the public on Mother’s Day 2011. We personally do all aspects of the wine production and management with much needed and appreciated help from our children, family, and awesome wine club.
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$45
 / night
100%
(6)

Little House in the Big Woods

1 site · Lodging5 acres · Forest Ranch, CA
The cabin shares the property with our home but a large portion of the yard is maintained solely for the use of cabin guests. The space feels private with no obligation to interact with the main house residents. Enjoy cooking on the BBQ or sitting by the firepit while taking in the woodland scenery. The area features a plethora of nearby hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, and swimming. Or enjoy the simplicity of reading a book, sitting by the fire, and letting the forest share its splendor with you. This house is also only about an hour drive to beautiful Lake Almanor and the amazing gem of Lassen National Park. It is very easy to go up for a day to go boating, fishing, a hike to the hot springs and hydrothermal areas, or have a picnic. The drive between here and there is on well maintained roads and the scenery is absolutely stunning. While Chico may look a bit far away on the map, the highway gets you there in 20 short minutes. This university town is well known for its mixture of vibrance, the arts, and small town rural living. The area boasts truly amazing restaurants, bars, shopping and modern amenities. Our property is very close to access points for the famous Upper Bidwell park. We will share a guidebook full of our personal recommendations of things to do in the area.
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$99
 / night

Campbellville

4 sites · Lodging50 acres · Chico, CA
This property will have your group absolutely raving! It's built in the 60s and was restored about 10 years ago. There's plenty to do and many creeks and roads to go off roading on.Learn more about this land:With 40 plus acres it's one of the best campgrounds in town! Just 30 min from beautiful downtown Chico. Home of Chico State University. This property has so much life and beauty all around. Surrounded by tall pines, manzanita trees, ferns, lavender and much mor. All to enjoy in complete privacy. In front of the cabin there's a fire pit. So relax under the stars and breathe in the fresh mountain air. About 4,000 feet in elevation in the Sierra Nevada mountains so theirs snow at times. The property is perfect for anyone looking to relax and get away from it all. Ride your off road vehicles or enjoy hiking the property and surrounding roads. There's a studio cabin w fridge, bathroom and a shower. A outhouse toilet as well and a 30x40 enclosed storage house with a pool table that can be used for family activities and storage. Hunters with proper licensing are welcome. Theirs wood burning stoves in both just bring dry lumber. The people in the surrounding areas are super nice and very friendly. Take a trip with the entire family or your best buds! Bring your own generator for power please.
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$100
 / night
100%
(11)

Oregon House Falls

45 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Dobbins, CA
Nestled in the foothills of Western Sierra Mountains lies a piece of heaven. If you are looking for a quiet peaceful place to escape, this is your spot. Here you will find peace and quiet and the beauty of nature. Sit lakeside or Creekside and enjoy the scenery or a picnic along side one of the beautiful waterfalls. You can even grab a pole and fish in our lake. Trout are known to migrate through these waters, there has been bass and sun fish pulled from this lake as well. There is also some history here as you can hunt for one of the few grinding rocks that have been found on this land. With tons of wildlife like deer, turkeys, ducks, fish, crawdads, river otters, herons, owls, lots of song birds, and even bald eagles. This hidden gem is surrounded by many lakes rivers and even wineries . We are located 17 miles from The Yuba River, 9.2 miles to Bullards Bar (one of the tallest dames in the US) 7.2 miles to Collins lake and 3.8 miles to lake Frances not to mention tons of nearby swimming holes and creeks. You can boat, kayak, fish, swim, horseback ride, bike and hike all within a stone’s throw. The Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains are rich in history as you visit, you will find many historical landmarks. The Sierra Nevadas played a crucial role in history during the gold rush. Take a 5 min drive down the road and you will find an original stagecoach stop from back in time and pick up anything you might need for your stay from gas, food ,ice and all the essentials. They even have a deli with delicious food. The Sierras are ideal for any outdoor enthusiasts.
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$35
 / night
100%
(4)

Private Property - Ishi Wilderness

4 sites · Tents200 acres · Cohasset, CA
Experience the “wild” native culture of the Sierra Nevada foothills at this private remote property. Camp under the stars and enjoy the stunning canyon views. Discover hidden gems, swimming holes, fishing, and wild animals see the only wild horse heard on the wester slope of the Sierra Nevada's. as well as bears, ring tailed cats, ouzels, and more. View the Sacramento Valley from Mt. Diablo to Oregon, including Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen. Pitch a tent on a deck with scenic view of Mt Lassen to your right and the Majestic Mt Shasta to your left. Hike to a nearby Native American Cave where the inside polished to marble from natives inhabiting the space for thousands of years and camp on the creek nearby. This is on 280 acres of private property, with base camp nearby Transportation into the canyon and hiking guides are included. any designated campsites available at the ranch, some on a raised wood deck overlooking the canyon, or you can camp in a hidden cave or by the water. You will also enjoy nature hikes and learn the rich history of the Yahi Indian tribe. The last of the Yahi people were discovered living in this remote area in 1908. Over the years, we have guided book author Richard Burrill on journeys to collect information for his book on Ishi. Our guides will tour you through this remote canyon and show you caves and areas that were used by the tribe for shelter and ceremonies. You will also learn a variety of skills such as preparing camp, building a fire from scratch (seasonally), and preparing safe drinking water. Remember this is very rugged and remote territory . Sleep under the stars and spend time outdoors learning lifelong lessons. This is a one-of-a-kind experience you will never forget. Tours are offered for all levels of adventures depending on your physical strength, condition, and type of challenge you want to experience. For more information, please visit www.butteadventures.com There is a good reason that the last documented “wild” Native American (in the lower 48) was found living here. In 1908, Ishi, the last of the Yahi people were discovered living in the Sierra Foothills northeast of Chico, CA. If you have a 4x4 you can follow us in, if not we will 4x4 you in our Adventure Vehicle. Experience the “wild” native culture of the Sierra Nevada foothills at this private remote property. Camp under the stars, enjoy stunning canyon views, and discover hidden gems, swimming holes, fishing, and wild animals. Maybe you will get lucky and see the only herd of wild horses on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. View the Sacramento Valley from Mt. Diablo to Oregon, including Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen. Transportation into the canyon and hiking guides are included. There are many designated campsites available on this 280 acre private property. Camp on a raised wood deck overlooking the canyon, or in a hidden cave, near water. Enjoy nature hikes and learn the rich history of the Yahi Indians and where the last of the Yahi tribe were discovered in 1908. Over the years, we have guided archeologist and many more. Including book author Richard Burrill on journeys to collect information for his books. . Our guides will tour you through this remote canyon, and show you caves and areas that were used by the tribe for shelter and ceremonies. You will also learn a variety of skills such as preparing camp, building a fire from scratch (seasonally), and preparing safe drinking water. Remember, this is very rugged and remote territory. Hike to a nearby Native American Cave where the inside had been polished to marble from natives inhabiting the space for thousands of years. Sleep under the Galaxy of stars and spend time outdoors learning lifelong lessons. This is a one-of-a-kind experience you will never forget. Tours are offered for all levels of adventures depending on your physical strength, condition, and type of challenge you want to experience. There is a good reason the last documented “wild” Native American (in the lower 48) was found living here. In 1908, Ishi, the last of the Yahi people were discovered living in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Chico, CA. If you have a 4x4 you can follow us in. Otherwise, transportation will be provided.
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$75
 / night
94%
(50)

Trank Family Farm and Gold site

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Oroville, CA
We have lived on the farm now for over 19 years. The back part of the property was a stop point for the stage line between Oroville and Bangor during the 1880, Then gold was discovered on the property. There were multiple Gold claims on this property. The Old rock pilings are still there to explore. It is a favorite spot for finding Jasper, Agates and quartz crystals Campers are welcome year-round to this tent site on the old Gold Claim of our 20-acre family farm! Drive right up to this fun-filled, family-friendly campsite, easily accessible by cars and SUVs alike - though 4WD is helpful during the rainy season. This site features two seasonal streams that cross on the property, as well as bushes full of ripe blackberries - if you catch them at the right time, help yourself. You'll enjoy hearing the birds echoing through the trees and could easily see deer tip toeing through the woods. Dogs on leash only. We raise 4H and FFA show and market goats, llamas, and a donkey and a cow, all of whom are very friendly! You'll also see our chickens, ducks, peacocks, and guinea hens. Rock pilings are on the island between the two seasonal streams that cross our land. Gold panning, hiking and creek walking is available on the property. Campers are welcome to stargaze in the field, create scavenger hunts for the kids, or simply sit back and enjoy the tranquility. We also have zip line and a rope course on the property that is closed due to maintenance. The streams dry up in late June and fill up in November when the rains start. Trank Family Farm is 30 minutes from Lake Oroville, 20 minutes from Oroville Wildlife Area and the Feather River - great for kayaking, swimming, and fishing! Be sure to check out the trails and seasonal waterfalls at Table Mountain, 35 minutes away. There are 2 Indian Casinos & Hotels in Oroville, as well as 2 golf ranges - and all with in 20 minutes of the camp site. The college town of Chico is about 30 minutes outside of Oroville. If you want to explore farther, Butte Mountain range and the city of Paradise, CA is 45 minutes away. We can't wait for you to come visit!
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$65
 / night
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Forest camping near Chico guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for a camping experience near Chico, California, surrounded by lush forests, you're in luck. With over 1,900 options available, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect campsite that suits your preferences. Some of our top campsites include Finnon Lake Recreation Area (780 reviews), Mill Creek Resort (638 reviews), and Camp Nauvoo (546 reviews). Whether you're into hiking, horseback riding, or biking, these campsites offer a range of activities to keep you entertained. Plus, with amenities like potable water and trash disposal, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Prices start as low as $20 per night, with an average price of $66 per night. So, get ready to immerse yourself in nature and create unforgettable memories at our beautiful campsites near Chico, California.

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