Break out the s’mores and your favorite tent — summertime is camping season in Butte County!
The high country includes several excellent camping opportunities tucked away inside Lassen National Forest and Plumas National Forest. Bring your fishing poles, hiking shoes, and kayaks along, because these campgrounds put you right on the doorstep of your next outdoor adventure.
Know Before You Go
Season: Most campgrounds are open late May through early October.
Water & Restrooms: Most, but not all, provide access to drinking water and vault restrooms. Please check the National Forest website for updated information.
Campfire Safety: Fire safety is a massive priority in our mountain communities. Always check for active restrictions before starting a campfire at your site.
Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Lassen National Forest
Butte Meadows Campground
The Butte Meadows campground is a perfect spot for families wanting to get away without being too far from local amenities.
With Butte Creek rushing nearby and a huge canopy of trees overhead, you might not even realize that you’re within easy walking distance of the Butte Meadows Mercantile or a hot burger at the Bambi Inn.
- Cost: $12/night (First-come, first-served)
- The Setup: 13 individual camping sites, each equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring.
- Getting There: It’s about a 40-minute drive from Highway 99 in Chico. Travel 26.7 miles up the hill on Highway 32, turn right onto Humboldt Road, and the campground will be on your right in about five miles (just after the CAL FIRE Station).
Cherry Hill Campground
The well-shaded Cherry Hill Campground is found alongside Butte Creek just upstream of Butte Meadows.
Cherry Hill gets you incredibly close to many of the area’s top recreational spots, including the historic Jonesville area, Colby Mountain Lookout, and the Pacific Crest Trail.
- Cost: $14/night (First-come, first-served)
- The Setup: 26 total sites, with several secluded walk-in sites available across Butte Creek for extra solitude.
- Getting There: Located on Humboldt Road, 8.8 miles after the initial turnoff from Highway 32.
Philbrook Campground
The Philbrook Campground is located right by Philbrook Reservoir, which sits over a mile high in the Lassen National Forest and offers a peaceful, scenic place to paddle or fish for trout.
Both day-users and campers can take advantage of the car-top boat ramp or hang out at the lakeside picnic area.
- Cost: $20/night
- The Setup: Operated by PG&E, this facility features a mix of first-come, first-served campsites alongside reservable sites (which require a 2‑night minimum). Reservations can be made online through PG&E’s campground booking system.
- Getting There: Philbrook Road is off of Humbug Summit Road and can be reached via the Skyway (6 miles south of Butte Meadows or 22 miles north of the Magalia Reservoir Dam).
Plumas National Forest
Strawberry Campground
Strawberry Campground is a beautiful mountain getaway nestled in a lushly forested area alongside Sly Creek.
Because it sits just before the creek enters the expansive 562-acre Sly Creek Reservoir, it’s a popular location for visitors who want to bring along a kayak or paddleboard.
- Cost: $20/night (First-come, first-served)
- The Setup: 17 total campsites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings.
- Getting There: About one hour from Highway 70 in Oroville if traveling via Highway 162 and Forbestown Road. Continue east on La Porte Road through the community of Strawberry Valley and turn left at the campground sign to follow the 1.5‑mile access road.
Golden Trout Campground
The Golden Trout Campground in the South Fork Feather River is the perfect place to start your next adventure. Known as a prime destination for outdoor recreation, visitors flock here to enjoy refreshing swims in the river, scenic day hikes, and excellent stream fishing.
If you’re looking for more speed, the surrounding forest routes offer great off-highway vehicle (OHV) road riding.
- Cost: $15 per site per night
- The Setup: 15 first-come, first-served sites, including one accessible site and select layouts that can accommodate larger groups. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and a seasonal hand pump for potable water. (Note: Visitors should always bring backup water in case the hand pump is temporarily unavailable).
- Getting There: Located in the high country east of Oroville via the Oroville-Quincy Highway.
Milsap Bar Campground
Milsap Bar Campground lies right on the scenic south shore of the Middle Fork Feather River at the confluence of the river’s South Branch.
For those willing to rough it, it’s a popular, rustic escape for river fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating, though OHV use is strictly prohibited inside the campground loops.
- Cost: Free (First-come, first-served)
- The Setup: Dedicated primitive campsites featuring a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a strict 14-day stay limit, a maximum of 8 people and 2 vehicles per site.
- Important to Know: This facility has no running water or garbage collection, meaning visitors must come fully prepared to pack out all trash and waste. Road access is highly rugged and is not recommended for RVs or trailers. Because it sits deep in the canyon, seasonal storms can occasionally leave debris or fallen trees on the road; always check current forest conditions before heading out.
- Getting There: About 75 minutes from Oroville via HWY 162. Located deep in the canyon off Milsap Bar Road