McBride Springs

Turn into the campground at the McBride Spring signage.

You can see Mount Shasta from this camping area!

Make sure to pay and observe the postings before setting up camp.

Campsites are intimate- most have space for only a few tents, and a car.

Further back the camp sites are well shaded with large cedar trees.

The Mountain Bikers Campground

Situated on the lower slopes of Mt. Shasta at an elevation of 5000 feet, this popular campground has 12 sites. Usually opens by Memorial Day weekend and closes near the end of October. Conveniently located on Mt. Shasta and only a few minutes from I-5, services, and supplies.

- Forest Service campground
- No reservations
- $10 a night
- up to 7 nights
- For tents & small RV’s
Site |
- Firepit
- Picnic table
- Bear Box
- Decent cell service
- Pets allowed
Campground |
- Pit toilet
- Freshwater ( Check forest service site- late summer well can dry up)
Hiking |
- Black Butte Trail
- Sand Flats
Biking |
- Gateway Trails
- Plan ahead
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly ( leave no toilet paper)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
- More Details

Leave no trace note: In 2009 a root disease was discovered in the campground that affected all of the white fir trees, killing some and infecting others. These hazardous trees were removed in early 2011 to allow the campground to be reopened for use. A major effort by the Forest Service to clean up the debris and replant non-affected native species in the campground occurred throughout the spring of this year. Although the area has been temporarily impacted, in time nature will restore this popular campground to pristine conditions.

Us forest service details

Red Fir Flat

Group camping is on the side with this sign- there is more camping on the other side.

The Fir trees here are covered in bight green lichen

Observe postings before setting up camp.

The group camp ground is very large with two picnic tables, and a fire pit. The pit toilet is a bit of a walk.

Perfect For Big Groups

Red Fir Flat Group Campground is located on the southern slope of Mt. Shasta at 6,400 feet in elevation. Snowpack in this location may extend into late June on heavy snow years and usually sees late-season snowfall in early November, possibly October. It is a popular site for meditation/retreat groups.

- Forest Service campground
- Can make reservations.
- $12 a night
- up to 7 nights
- For tents & small RV’s
Site |
- Firepit
- Picnic table
- Bear proof trash cans
- Decent cell service
- Pets allowed
Campground |
- Pit toilet
- NO water
Hiking |
- Bunny Flats
- Sand Flats
Biking |
- Gateway Trails
- Plan ahead
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly ( leave no toilet paper)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
- More Details

Us forest service details

Castle Lake

Follow the Castle Lake Campground sign to the sites.

Bears are in the area, please use the trash cans and store food and smell items safely.

Beautiful and large trees shade this camp ground. A creek also adds to the pleasantness of this campground.

Sites are small. There is enough room for a tent or two and a small van camper.

Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and there is a campground pit toilet.

This campground has a host, and they will be happy to get you settled in.

The Paddler’s Campground

This small primitive campground is nestled in a thick mixed conifer forest approximately ¼ mile below Castle Lake. There are 6 sites, not recommended for large vehicles or trailers. Usually opens around the end of May depending on when the snow melts and usually is closed by snow around the first of November.

- Forest Service campground
- No reservations
- FREE
- up to 3 nights
- For tents & small RV’s
Site |
- Firepit
Campground |
- Pit toilet
- Bring Water
Hiking |
- Heart Lake Trail
- Castle lakeshore trail
- Little Castle lake trail
Paddling |
- Castle Lake
- Lake Siskiyou
- Plan ahead
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly ( leave no toilet paper)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
- More Details

Please be aware that Castle Lake is partially situated on private property. The traditional trail to Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake leaves the east end of the parking area and ascends to the divide above the east side of the lake. It begins on public land in section 24 of T39N R5W but immediately crosses the boundary of section 19 of T39N R4W. This entire section of land (about 640 acres) is privately owned property and posted as such. There is no legal access across this section to these lakes. Please be respectful and avoid trespassing. However, the west shore of the lake is public and features a short trail with easy access to the water.

Us forest service details

Shasta Nordic Center

Take a left at the Nordic Center sign.

The Skipark Hwy continues straight to the Mt Shasta Ski Park.

There is a large parking lot, or you can take one of the small roads off the parking lot into the trees.

Free dispersed camping

Hidden away in the Shasta forest, this site sits at about 5000’. This is the Noric Center in the wintertime, but in the summer, it’s a perfect place to camp out away from the crowds. This is dispersed camping, so there is no toilet, tables, or water. Note that if Mt. Shasta Ski Park is open- the road may be busy.

- Forest Service land
- No reservations
- FREE
- up to 7 nights
- For tents & small RV’s
- Make sure the Nordic Center is closed before camping.
- None
- Bring water
- No Fires
- Leave no toilet paper- dig a hole
Biking |
- Gateway Trails
Mt. Shasta Ski Park |
- Skiing in the winter
- MTB in the summer
- Plan ahead
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly ( leave no toilet paper)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
- More Details

Leave no trace note: Due to the fact that this is dispersed camping, those who stay there need to take care in leaving the space in good condition.