Best Northern California Spot with 40ft 5th

IMO, you're better off using web resources rather than printed materials to locate boondocking spots (or campsites of any type); web sources, including several camping apps, e.g., The Ultimate Campground Project, are far more numerous and varied, and (usually) a lot more current and accessible.

The OP asked about Northern California; individual national forest websites, the CA BLM website (click on "Recreation" for each district), and public utility websites, e.g., PG&E, are good starts to find boondocking spots.

WackAway wrote:
Thanks to those that replied so far. Great info!

I will be visiting the Forest Service and BLM to get updated maps of the areas described. The ones I have are all 20+ years old from my hunting and woodcutting days.

I was looking in Amazon and they have a book called Camping With the Corps of Engineers. Anyone know if that is good for the type of spots I'm looking for?

Again, thanks in advance.

Army Corp of Engineer sites are usually developed campgrounds associated with dams and reservoirs.

EsoxLucius wrote:

WackAway wrote:
Thanks to those that replied so far. Great info!

I will be visiting the Forest Service and BLM to get updated maps of the areas described. The ones I have are all 20+ years old from my hunting and woodcutting days.

I was looking in Amazon and they have a book called Camping With the Corps of Engineers. Anyone know if that is good for the type of spots I'm looking for?

Again, thanks in advance.

Army Corp of Engineer sites are usually developed campgrounds associated with dams and reservoirs.

Not familiar with any ACOE camping areas in this part of the state.

https://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDirectoryListByAgencyID.do

Does this link work?

EsoxLucius wrote:
https://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDirectoryListByAgencyID.do

Does this link work?

Nope:h

korbe wrote:
...
Nothing to repair. Those types of campgrounds started out just as dispersed camping areas, like many up that way, and the Forest Service took them over so they could regulate. Don't see them going back in the other direction. Butte Lake is not at all like boondocking, like the OP requested.

Quite a few FS campgrounds in more remote areas are being decommissioned from lack of use. The traditional model of camping from a car and tent is declining and self contained RVs are increasing. So the FS is removing the outhouses and picnic tables, fire pits and delineated parking spurs, leaving just a large flat spot often under shady trees -- in other words a fine boondocking site. The remaining campgrounds are being upgraded as budget allows to accommodate large RVs. Several others on Lassen NF have been decommissioned. I am somewhat surprised Butte Creek has not. I seldom see anyone camping there and further upstream are some great boondocking sites also on the creek.

Phone apps are available with FS Visitor Maps to help navigate. The phone GPS will track you on the map even in areas with no phone signal.
The two I use are Backcountry Navigator where you buy the app and the maps are free. Another is the Avenza app, the app is free and you buy the maps (cheaper than the paper maps from the FS). Some Avenza maps are free.

https://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDirectoryListByAgencyID.do?contractCode=NRSO&agencyID=70902

Maybe this? Select State of interest.

We always had good luck using this site with our 40' motorhome. It gives good directions, also.

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pictures/pictures.htm

There are many good spots along 395.

This is all great help everyone. We will have fun with our 15 dogs and 8 kids in these places. Just kidding... Just me, the wife and a little Cavalier Spaniel.

Highways 305 and 108 look really good for campsites being close to the water. Now I gotta teach the wife how to fly fish. Lessons might be better though. I want to stay married :-)