Modoc National Forest
Dispersed camping is generally allowed
On national forest and grassland, camping outside developed campgrounds is generally permitted unless an area is posted closed or a local order says otherwise. Stay on existing surfaces, camp away from water and trailheads, and check the forest's current orders before you go — fire restrictions change through the season.
Rules change with fire season and local order. Checked 2026-08-05. Confirm on the managing office’s official page
- Area
- 3,161 sq mi
- Managed by
- Forest Service
- Campgrounds
- 24
- Longest rig
- 75 ft
Where the land is, and what fits
The official Forest Service boundary with every campground we hold inside it. Tell it how long your rig is and the map keeps only what takes it — public land rarely matches the shape people picture, and neither does what you can actually get into.
Official unit boundary · USDA Forest Service · 24 campgrounds shown
- Ash Creek CampgroundFirst-come, first-served
- Big Sage CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Blanche Lake CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Blue Lake CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Cave Lake CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- East Creek CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually late May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Emerson CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Howard's Gulch CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Jane's Reservoir CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Lassen Creek CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid -May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Lower Rush Creek CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; Campground is inaccessible during inclement weather. Use Caution · First-come, first-served
- Medicine Lake Recreation Areato 75 ft · 75 sitesTraditionally open from July 1st - October · First-come, first-served
- Mill Creek Falls CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early June to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Patterson CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Payne Springs CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Pepperdine CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Pepperdine Equestrian CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Red Tail Rim Trail South TrailheadFacilities open as weather and road conditions permit; usually early June to late October. · Reservations accepted
- Reservoir C CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Reservoir F CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Schonchin Springs CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early July to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Soup Springs CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually early June to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Stough Reservoir CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
- Willow Creek CampgroundFacilities open as weather permits; usually mid-May to late October. · First-come, first-served
Modoc National Forest
Modoc National Forest is a 1,654,392-acre (6,695 km2) U.S. national forest in Northeastern California.
Extract from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA. Agency description not published.
No vehicles past these lines
Designated wilderness is closed to every wheeled vehicle, including bicycles. You can walk in and camp; you cannot drive or park a rig inside one.
- South Warner Wilderness70,288 acres
Byways through this country
National parks close enough to pair
Drive to Modoc the long way
Byway plans the road in, not just the destination — real places along the way, weighted to what you like, with nothing invented.