The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Douglas City Campground, located in northern California, is a peaceful camping area and one of many natural sites administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Located near several of the state's lush national forests and only an hour from the Pacific Coast, the campground represents one of the wonderful destinations in California.
The Douglas City Campground lies on the banks of the Trinity River, making it a popular place for boating and fishing enthusiasts to camp out. Other recreational opportunities that are frequently enjoyed near the campground include hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and even gold panning.
Located within the nearby Shasta-Trinity National Forest, the East Weaver Creek Trail is a challenging out-and-back route perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and backpacking. The trail takes visitors along the gentle East Weaver Creek and through lush woodlands with beautiful wildflowers. The trail, which offers plenty of solitude, starts off fairly easy but gets much more difficult about halfway through with quite a bit of steep climbing. The trail is open year-round, but the best times to visit are between April and October.
Length: 6.8 miles
Intensity: Hard
The McKenzie Gulch Loop lies near the town of Weaverville, CA and offers lush, gorgeous scenery. The route doesn't feature much shade, but the views are quite impressive, and there are great opportunities for bird watching. The trail can be a bit hard to follow at certain points, and there are many side trails that break off from it. If you allow some extra time, you can really do some adventuring.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Canyon Creek Lakes Trail is an absolutely breathtaking out-and-back route located in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Although the trail is very difficult and very long, those who are willing to make the trek will be rewarded with stunning views, awesome natural features, and perfect opportunities to get closer to nature. To traverse the whole route, you'll need to do some significant climbing and cross a creek, and if you want to stay overnight, you'll need a wilderness permit. There are several natural water sources along the trail, so if you have a means of filtering it, you don't need to bring a full supply of drinking water with you.
Length: 15.4 miles
Intensity: Hard
Visitors to the Douglas City Campground won't have to travel far to find top-notch fishing and boating opportunities. The nearby section of the Trinity River is known for its world-class fly fishing and its many large steelheads. Other fish that inhabit the stream include chinook and coho salmon and sea-run brown trout. The river is also perfect for paddle-boating, with the waters near the campground being relatively gentle. However, if you're in search of some exciting rapids, the waters found below Pigeon Point feature Class III and IV rapids.
While rock-climbing opportunities are sparse around the Douglas City Campground, there are a few nearby peaks that bold technical climbers can attempt to summit. If you head north to the nearby Trinity Alps Wilderness, there are mountaineering opportunities at areas such as Sawtooth Peak, Little Granite Peak, and Mount Hilton. Sawtooth Peak, for instance, offers several different routes that climbers can take to reach its summit, and although only a handful of people make the climb each year, it's a spectacular mountain with incredible views.
Those visiting the Douglas City Campground may spot a few wild animals, but some of the best nearby opportunities for wildlife viewing can be found within Shasta-Trinity National Forest. A wide variety of interesting creatures inhabit the forest, including black bears, ringtails, mountain lions, bobcats, river otters, coyotes, gray foxes, elk, and many others. Several types of eagles and hawks and numerous species of songbirds have been spotted flying above the woodlands as well.
If you choose to camp at the Douglas City Campground, your campsite will come equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. The campground makes for a nice, pleasant spot to enjoy a picnic lunch, and because the Trinity River is so close by, you can listen to the peaceful sounds of its flowing water as you eat.
The Douglas City Campground is an ideal location to enjoy BLM RV camping. The serene campground features 23 campsites available for $10 per night on a first-come, first-served basis. While the campground does offer potable water, vault toilets, and showers, there are no RV hookups available, and there are no nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds with hookups, either. However, if you prefer to camp with access to electricity and other RV hookups, you can camp at the nearby Indian Creek Mobile Home and RV Park.
If you want to partake in Bureau of Land Management free camping near the Douglas City Campground, you'll have a couple of options. One choice is to stay at the nearby Steiner Flat Primitive Campground, which features eight free campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, you can find a secluded spot outside of the established campgrounds and put together a dispersed campsite. When you arrive in the area, search "BLM camping near me" to find other options.
If you're planning a trip to stay at the Douglas City Campground, remember that the site closes each year in either November or December, depending on the weather, and then opens once again during spring. While the community of Douglas City, CA is located right beside the campground, visitors should keep in mind that it's a very small town without much more than a few small stores and businesses. If you need to purchase any significant supplies or equipment during your trip, you'll probably need to travel either north to Weaverville or east to Redding, CA. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
During your stay at the Douglas City Campground, please do your part to help preserve the natural area for future generations. You can do so by following the Leave No Trace principles and minimizing your impact. If you burn any campfires while you're camping, keep them as small as possible and fully contained within the designated fire rings.
To reach the Douglas City Campground from Redding, follow State Highway 299 W for approximately 37 miles and then turn right onto Steiner Flat Road and follow it for about 0.5 miles. At that point, you'll reach the turnoff for the BLM campground.
Ready to visit Douglas City Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
