The best campgrounds near Fort Bidwell, California with swimming

In Fort Bidwell, you’ll find over 90 campsites where swimming isn’t just an option—it’s part of daily life. Most sites sit near creeks, small lakes, or spring-fed ponds, so you can cool off after a long hike or just float the afternoon away. Expect average nightly prices around $60, with some spots dipping as low as $30. At Camp Freedom (19 reviews), campers rave about the clear water and open skies. Back of Beyond (18 reviews) draws swimmers and wildlife-watchers, while Camp Plush (2 reviews) keeps things quieter. Most sites welcome pets and offer showers and toilets, making it easy to stay comfortable between swims and trail rides. If you’re after a swim-friendly base with room for both relaxation and adventure, Fort Bidwell covers it.

83% (26)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Bidwell

In Fort Bidwell, you’ll find over 90 campsites where swimming isn’t just an option—it’s part of daily life. Most sites sit near creeks, small lakes, or spring-fed ponds, so you can cool off after a long hike or just float the afternoon away. Expect average nightly prices around $60, with some spots dipping as low as $30. At Camp Freedom (19 reviews), campers rave about the clear water and open skies. Back of Beyond (18 reviews) draws swimmers and wildlife-watchers, while Camp Plush (2 reviews) keeps things quieter. Most sites welcome pets and offer showers and toilets, making it easy to stay comfortable between swims and trail rides. If you’re after a swim-friendly base with room for both relaxation and adventure, Fort Bidwell covers it.

83% (26)

Top-rated campgrounds near Fort Bidwell

1. Camp Freedom

100%

(24)

31mi from Fort Bidwell · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

The recreation opportunities in the Alturas CA area are endless, fishing, hiking biking, hunting, boating and OHV. The camping site has nearly 3 acres with a view of the town of Alturas and is a great place to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of fresh air and juniper trees. There are flat usable campsites around the property and one portion of the property is fenced for horses (bring your own water trough). The property is approximately 3 minutes from downtown Alturas with restaurants and stores. The sleepy town is a perfect place to hang out and relax at the big park in town behind the VFW Hall on Main Street, have refreshments at the two bars in town or try your luck at the Desert Rose Casino. The Wildlife Refuge has a self driving tour where you can see all kinds of birds and wildlife. Take a drive outside town to the "Ranches" to see deer, antelope, eagles and various waterfowl! Alturas is a high desert area with wonderful views of the Warner Mountains and has an enchanting feel to it. Temperatures in the summer rarely get over 100 degrees, mostly low 90's, and in the fall the cool nights make for great sleeping. Pop over Cedar Pass to Cedarville which is about 20 minutes away to check out the newly designated "Dark Sky" area. Come up and hang out in this very cool and special place, you will not want to leave!!  The town of Alturas is also in the coveted X hunting zones, X3a, X3b and X2, for those of you who like to hunt. Two sites have full hook ups and the small trailer site on the above pad (see trailer picture) has electric only.  During the winter, the pump house is turned off and drained due to freezing temperatures and the risk of blowing a pipe, so campers must bring their own water during November through March.  Please ask if there are changes in these dates for the water hook ups.

2. Camp Calamity

100%

(1)

31mi from Fort Bidwell · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

A beautiful place to camp. There is (1) 2 trailer or car camp spot and (3) single trailer spots. This is completely a dry camping site. There are 110 extension cords available. Located 5 minutes from town this is the perfect place to stop and rest if you are just passing through or if you plan on staying a while.

3. Camp Plush

38mi from Fort Bidwell · 7 sites · Tents, RVs

Our 20-acre property in Plush, Oregon is located just south of the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge on the shore of Hart Lake. The land is completely undeveloped and littered with Sagebrush and a few large boulders. This property gives you true isolation, silence and skies free of light pollution. This kind of isolation comes with minimal cellular service. It is one of the darkest places in America. 25 miles from both the Nevada and California borders, this location is a great relay point for Burning Man or other music festivals. The way the land is situated gives you great views at both sunrise and sunset. Great for families, campers, ATVing and just much-needed escape from the hustle and bustle of society. The property is accessed via an easement through a ranch. Please close any gate that you open (only one). The road to the property traverses a designated wetland, so the sage is pretty gnarly due to our legal inability to remove it.

4. Modoc National Forest

88%

(4)

274 sites · Canby, California

Over one and a half MILLION glorious acres of majestic and mysterious volcanic territory in NorCal.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Fort Bidwell

Lassen Creek Campground

7.4mi from Fort Bidwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Stough Reservoir Campground

21mi from Fort Bidwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Pepperdine Equestrian Campground

29mi from Fort Bidwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Jane's Reservoir Campground

31mi from Fort Bidwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Big Sage Campground

31mi from Fort Bidwell · 11 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Reservoir C Campground

35mi from Fort Bidwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Soup Springs Campground

39mi from Fort Bidwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Mill Creek Falls Campground

41mi from Fort Bidwell · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Emerson Campground

41mi from Fort Bidwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Patterson Campground

46mi from Fort Bidwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

East Creek Campground

46mi from Fort Bidwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

100%

(1)

Howard's Gulch Campground

49mi from Fort Bidwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Modoc National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

R

Ricky

October 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Camp Freedom

Super well kept property with new utilities. Perfect location for me while duck hunting the refuge which only 13 minutes away. Definitely will be back!

R

Rachel

September 2025

25 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Camp Freedom

What a beautiful spot this was! It felt so private and was nice and level. There was room for another camper, but we were there by ourselves and enjoyed the quiet. Stacie was very kind to work with.

A

Adam

August 2025

21 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Camp Freedom

Very nice property with easy access and plenty of space. Would definitely recommend if you are planning to visit the area.

C

Charles

June 2025

26 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Camp Freedom

Great views, private, quiet, level, new utilities, close to town. Highly recommend

Molly

June 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camp Freedom

Very private, large site. Host is very kind and helpful! There are several barky dogs in the neighborhood that woke me up a few times but otherwise a perfect camping experience.

D

Diana

June 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Camp Freedom

The property sits above the town and is peaceful and serene. Stacie is super responsive and helpful, the recommendation for the Basque restaurant in town was great! Loved it!

Travis

March 2025

34 ft fifth wheel

1 night at Camp Freedom

Camp Freedom is well loved and thoughtfully layed out for multiple campers. Easy to locate and host Stacie provides clear communication. 10/10 would stay again!

Travis

March 2025

34 ft fifth wheel

1 night at Camp Freedom

A beautiful, quiet, welcoming, and well loved retreat with great wonderful landscaping. Great communication with the host. Woke up with 4 deer investigating us while we made breakfast. 10/10 would recommend for anyone looking for a private camp space. Looking forward to staying again in a couple weeks!!