Shasta-Trinity National Forest
A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Trip · 3-day camping trip
For · Friends and new campers
Vibe · Relaxing and chill
Reservations · Reserve a site at Fowlers Campground or snag a FCFS (first-come, first-serve) campsite nearby
Drive · 5 hours from SF
Ideal dates · May to October
Pets · Welcome at camp and trails
Shasta-Trinity National Forest (STNF) is the largest national forest in California! It features 2.2 million acres and over 6,200+ miles of streams and rivers. There are five wilderness areas: Castle Crags, Chanchellulla, Mount Shasta, Trinity Alps, and Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel, and more than 150 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail runs through the forest. This place is a natural wonderland that starts at 1,000 feet of elevation at Shasta Lake and tops out at Mt. Shasta at 14,179 feet. Color us impressed, aren't you?
Official Forest Service Website
Main image credit: The Modern Female Hiker
Each campsite comes with a:
Fowlers Campground is walking distance from the waterfalls, but available campsites are often reserved months in advance. If you're willing to play by ear, there are several first-come, first-serve campgrounds that are only a 15-minute drive away from the falls. Camp 4 Group Campground, Cattle Camp Campground, and Algoma Campground are a few other options. Check out the McCloud Area Recreation Guide or the forest service website for more details.
Check-in: After 3 PM · Check-out: 2 PM
Nightly Rate: $23
Image credit: Campsite Photos
In 1905, President Teddy Roosevelt designated over 1.2 million acres as the Trinity Forest Reserve, and a few months later created a separate Shasta Forest Reserve. These two areas officially became Shasta–Trinity National Forest in 1954.
For years, The Winnemem (McCloud River) Wintu Tribe lived, fished and hunted around what is now Lower McCloud Falls
McCloud River Canyon carves through multiple layers of lava rock caused by Mt. Shasta's volcanic eruptions. Look out for columnar basalt, which is the result of those lava flows cooling and contracting to create cool-looking vertical fractures.
This was GCI's first rocker and it remains their most popular. It's easy to open and close, and comes with a handle to carry around.
Shared Gear
A dreamy, colorful sweater to sport around camp and on chillier day hikes.
Clothes
Light as a feather and versatile enough to use for running, camping, and other nighttime activities.
Essential Items
Imagine a sleeping pad, bag, and blanket all in one. It takes some getting used to, but people love it.
Essential Items
It's not the lightest cot available, but it's comfortable, easy to set up, and break down.
Essential Items
Sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and more expensive than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
They're expensive, but you can lean on these bad boys for river crossings and navigating all kinds of terrain.
Essential Items
This mineral-based sunscreen is good for the envrionment and your skin. It's water resistant too.
Personal Stuff
When a campground is short of sinks, bring your own. Clean your dirty dishes in this expandable bin.
Kitchen
This backpacking stove weighs a couple of ounces and has a built-in igniter. It stands out in windy weather.
Kitchen
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
