4 votes

Castle Lake Campground

California CA USA

Independent
Not Wheelchair
Accessible
Public
Restrooms

“The place to camp in Dunsmuir!”

Description: This small primitive campground is nestled in a thick mixed conifer forest approximately ¼ mile below Castle Lake. There are 6 sites with tables, fire rings and vault toilets. Bring your own water. 3-night limit. No fee. No reservations. Not recommended for large vehicle 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. Features: Visitors may walk or drive the short distance to the lake. Castle Lake is a pristine glacial cirque lake with granite cliffs and clear water, one of the most popular attractions in the Mt. Shasta area. Hiking, swimming, fishing, and flat-water kayaking are favorite activities here. There are a few hiking trails to explore including the short and easy Shoreline Trail on the west side of the lake.Special note about Castle LakePlease 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.

Reviews of Castle Lake Campground

4 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.5 Access

5.0 Location

5.0 Cleanliness

4.5 Site Quality

5.0 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on October 03, 2021

AT&T 4G

Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on July 03, 2021

Reviews

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Reviewed by
Campendium

October 13, 2016

Very nice location in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about 20 minutes west of the town of Mt. Shasta. Campsites are free, first-come first-served, and there are only 5 of them (the 6th one is taken by the camp host); maximum stay is three days (changed from 14 days) and campsites fill up quickly. The sites are large and relatively private, with level areas for parking as well as for pitching tents. Each site has a large concrete picnic table and a large fire ring with a grill. There are two pit toilets but no water or trash cans are available.The campground is located 1/2 mile from Castle Lake where there is swimming, fishing, small boating, etc. The area is quiet and peaceful and has easy access to the nearby lakes and towns.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $0.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 4

5 Access

5 Location

5 Cleanliness

5 Site Quality

5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Reviewed by
Campendium

June 16, 2020

Drove thru and walked each site while looking for boondocking location for my 32' Bounder. 3 day max stay As of 06/06/2020 There are six camping sites. All sites a clean, with plenty of space. You can get a 25' RV in sites 3,4,5. they are over 30' in length. Site 1 and 2 is long a narrow. made for Vans. Site 6 was the camping host. Also a large site. There are two bathrooms across from site 1 and 2. Just a 1/4 mile from Castle Lake. Awesome place to hike or kayak / paddle board. I forgot to check cell service.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $0.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 1

RV Length: 32 ft

RV Type: Class A

5 Access

5 Location

5 Cleanliness

5 Site Quality

5 Noise

Reviewed by
allbetz1

9 Reviews
0 Helpful

July 03, 2021

Went by to scope it out As stated there are 6 sites, but there is no way we could have gotten our 30’ TT in to any of them Much better suited for car/van or tent camping First come/First served

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Nightly Rate: $0.00

Days Stayed: 0

Site Number: 0

RV Length: 26 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

3 Access

5 Location

5 Cleanliness

3 Site Quality

5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Reviewed by
roadtripper9768532

6 Reviews
0 Helpful

October 03, 2021

Not sure I found this actual campground, but did find a dirt road off Castle Lake Road that had nice dispersed spots. I have a Ford Transit 350 and it fit down the road and the spots easily. No other humans for two days.

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roadtripper9768532 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $0.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: -

5 Access

5 Location

5 Cleanliness

5 Site Quality

5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G