Camping near McCloud

Set in the southern slopes of majestic Mount Shasta, McCloud started off as a lumber and mill town. Today, the town and its national registered historic downtown district is a gateway to adventure. The nearby McCloud River is known for a trio of pretty waterfalls, and epic trout fishing, while Mount Shasta attracts hikers, mountaineers, nature lovers, and winter sport enthusiasts. Both the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway and Modoc Scenic Byway pass through McCould. Several state parks and national forests can be found nearby, offering additional opportunities for outdoor recreation, along with a wide range of camping options from developed to dispersed.

McCloud Area 

Private camping options near McCloud and Mount Shasta offer sites for tents, RVs, and cabins. Campers can stay on the slopes of Mount Shasta, which offers both developed and dispersed campgrounds. Several forest service campgrounds can be found right along the McCloud River, including Fowlers Camp near the waterfalls, Cattle Camp, and Algoma. Further south, near the McCloud Reservoir, campground options include Star City, Ash Camp, and Ah-Di-Na.

Shasta-Trinity and Modoc National Forests 

Numerous lakeside and riverside campgrounds can be found in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California’s largest, which is known for its many water features. Forest service campgrounds can be found near Lake Shastina, Castle Lake, Gumboot Lake, and Toad Lake and the Upper Sacramento River, Trinity River, and Eagle Creek. Further east, Medicine Lake in Modoc National Forest offers scenic lakeside campgrounds.

State Parks and Lassen National Forest 

Southeast of McCloud, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park offers a campground near a waterfall, while there are two PG&E campgrounds around Lake Britton. Boaters can head to Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park’s unique boat-in campground on Big Lake. Additional lakeside and riverside campgrounds can be found in Lassen National Forest, while Lassen Volcanic National Park offers eight campgrounds and a surreal landscape of volcanic and alpine terrain, and scenic lakes.

Shasta Lake 

Further south, California’s largest reservoir is a hotspot for water activities. More than 30 public campgrounds can be found around the three main arms of Shasta Lake, including developed, group, boat-in, and dispersed campgrounds along the shoreline. Popular options include the Lakeshore East Campground along the Sacramento River Arm, the Bailey Cove Campground along the McCloud River Arm, and the Jones Valley campgrounds along the Pit River Arm. 

The McCloud region offers activities year-round. Trout fishing season kicks off in the spring, when waterfalls are at their fullest. Wildflowers can be seen in spring and summer. Camping and hiking are the most popular in the summer. Many winter activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are weather dependent. McCloud also holds a popular Victorian Christmas celebration every weekend in December.

• You’ll need a vehicle to explore the region. Chains and 4WD are a good idea in winter.
• Permits are required for theMount Shasta Wilderness Area and to summit Mount Shasta.
• Fishing licenses are required for anglers aged 16 and older. Additional regulations apply for certain areas, including the Lower McCloud River, a Wild Trout Stream.
• Exercise caution when jumping near the Lower Falls due to new submerged boulders.
• Be bear aware. Always store scented items in a bear-proof container.