Gurnsey Creek Campground

20 reviews

Gurnsey Creek Campground Introduce

Gurnsey Creek Campground offers a unique camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a blend of nature and convenience. Located in the scenic CA-89 area of Hat Creek, California, this campground is an ideal base for exploring Lassen National Park, nearby lakes, and charming local towns. With its mix of basic and improved sites, Gurnsey Creek Campground caters to both traditional campers and those looking for a touch of luxury ("glamping") during their adventures.

The campground provides a variety of amenities, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent-only areas, and picnic tables. While it lacks hookups for water and sewer, the restrooms are kept clean by dedicated camp hosts. The site also offers bear lockers to ensure safety for both campers and wildlife. Gurnsey Creek is situated near a small creek, adding to its natural charm and providing opportunities for fishing or simply enjoying the soothing sounds of flowing water.

One of the standout features of Gurnsey Creek Campground is its location. It sits right off the main highway leading into Lassen National Park, making it a convenient starting point for outdoor adventures. However, this proximity to the road also means that campers sensitive to noise should aim for sites further back in the campground. The area is known for its cooler temperatures, especially in October and early spring, making it a great destination during those seasons.

Gurnsey Creek Campground is part of a larger network of parks and natural attractions. nearby towns like Chester and Lake Almanor offer additional services, dining, and shopping opportunities. The campground's central location allows visitors to easily explore the surrounding area, whether they're interested in hiking, mountain biking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada landscape.

Environment: Nestled in a lush forest setting with plenty of shade and woodsy charm, Gurnsey Creek Campground provides a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. The nearby creek adds to the serene atmosphere, while the cooler temperatures make it an ideal destination during fall and spring.
Service Items: The campground offers basic facilities such as restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear lockers. While there are no hookups for water or sewer, RVs can utilize electric connections for a more comfortable stay.
Characteristics: Gurnsey Creek Campground is a first-come, first-served facility with plenty of space for tents and RVs. The sites vary in size, catering to both small and large groups. The campground's remote location often means fewer crowds, though it can be busy during peak seasons.

Customer feedback highlights the campground's strengths while also pointing out areas for improvement. Many visitors praise the cleanliness of the facilities and the peacefulness of the sites, especially those further from the main road. One guest noted that while the location is convenient for exploring Lassen National Park, it unfortunately comes with increased risk of theft due to its proximity to the highway. Another visitor appreciated the glamping experience but emphasized the importance of securing gear properly.

Gurnsey Creek Campground is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Northern California while enjoying the comfort of basic amenities. Whether you're an experienced camper or someone looking to try "glamping," this campground offers something for everyone.

Location

California Tehama County Hat Creek California 89

Customer Reviews

3.0

20 reviews

Ivan Brouwer

Oct 16, 2024

First day there setup camp and went exploring on my mountain bike with my dog. Got back about 3 hours later and someone had stolen everything but my tent. Sleeping bag, air cot, cooler with all my food, even the dog’s food. I normally do dispersed off grid camping but decided to “glamp” to get an early start at Lassen N.P. 2nd day of a 5 day trip and had to do the 5 hour drive home instead because I had no gear left. Two things to note it is the middle of October and I was the only person at the campground which honestly I prefer. Secondly this campground is right off the main highway through to Lassen from Chester which increases the risk of this sort of thing.

Rebeca

Jul 14, 2024

One of our favorite spots to camp, nice size sites, lots of shade, lots of wood. Camp hosts keep it really clean. Chester and Lake Almanor are a short drive east, Lassen Park entrance, a short drive the other way. First come, first serve. Nice little creek. Only downside is it's pretty close to the road, so try to get towards the back if you're sensitive to road noise.

Larry Biondolillo

Jun 10, 2018

This is a good campground for a short visit. You are in between Lassen Volcanic National park and lake Almanor. The creek is year round but has no fish. You can go about 2 miles away and fish in Deer creek with better success. The vault toilets were clean and the water from the spigots was good. The campground is right next to the highway and you could hear and see traffic until around 9pm when it finally stopped.

Tyler Doyle

Jun 22, 2023

Why we booked: Came to see Lassen NP. Manzanita Lake Campground canceled on us, and we needed a spot with plenty of FCFS availability. Campground: Basic USFS campground. Heavily wooded with pine and sequoias, sites relatively spacious, vault toilets and threaded water spigots throughout. We were able to fill our tank by connecting a couple of hoses. Some spots for okay solar—we were getting 200W of a possible 400 after picking a sunny campsite in the summer. Being on a 55mph road, you do get road noise that dies down at night. Probably makes this a better campground for RVs than tent camping. Combining Verizon and T-Mobile with our router and booster let my wife and I work on video calls with few problems. Quirks: Huge stacks of free firewood due to work done in 2022/2023. Site: Ours was one of a handful that can fit bigger rigs. Most folks should be able to get in here just fine—but if you're bigger, be good at backing. Nearby: The southwest Lassen NP entrance is about 20 minutes away. The town of Chester is 20 minutes the other way, with propane and diesel and some decent food. Value: Perfect!

wayne salo

Sep 13, 2022

Nice large spaces. Was heavily forested at one time, shade is nice, and now most of the trees are gone?? No one can be trusted to have a campfire without burning down the forest, which never happened, ever. Just wish our government would spend money on servicing our National forests, National Parks, and campgrounds, instead funding $50 trillions into nothingness. This campground is currently closed??