Campgrounds on Mt. Shasta

McBride Springs (Elevation 4,780 feet)

The Forest Service maintains two campgrounds located off the Everitt Memorial Highway. The first camp is McBride Springs located at the 5-mile marker about 6 miles from the Bunny Flat trailhead. There are restrooms and drinking water available, and the 9 sites available are surrounded by tall pines and firs. The campground is closed during the winter. Contact the Ranger Station in regards to availability and the overnight fee.

Sand Flat (Elevation 6,800 feet)

Another site available for camping is at the Sand Flat trailhead located about a mile below Bunny Flat. There are two parking lots each a mile apart and both have a dirt road which form a loop leading to Sand Flat. During the summer, the Flat makes for an excellent overnight camp and the trail leading out of the flat merges with the Bunny Flat trail to Horse Camp. If you plan on camping there, check with the Ranger Station to see if the snow has melted from the area.

Bunny Flat (Elevation 6,860 feet)

Climbers arriving on the Mountain late in the day sometimes just pitch a tent in the Bunny Flat parking lot. This will suffice for an overnight stay if you're in a pinch, although it is not encouraged for more than a quick night's sleep. Camping is allowed inside the National Forest which means you can pitch a tent almost anywhere around the Bunny Flat area. Camping is also allowed inside the Wilderness Area as long as you have your permit with you. Check with the Ranger Station to see if campfire permits are required.

Panther Meadows (Elevation 7,500 feet)

The most spectacular campground is Panther Meadows located close to mile 13, about 2 miles above Bunny Flat. This camp has a parking lot with a short walk to the 10 walk-in campsites. There are maintained pit toilets, but no drinking water is available. The stay limit is 3 days with no overnight fee required. The view is splendid and the camp is protected from the wind; although the nights do get cold here, even during the summer. This camp is only accessible by skis or snowmobiles during the winter, and on heavy snow years, the road leading to the camp may not be open till midsummer. Because of some political and environmental issues the Everitt Memorial Highway presently has a locked gate across the road at Bunny Flat; the gate may be permanently closed in the future, but for now it is subjected to seasonal closures. The camp can still be used by climbers wishing to pack in. Contact the Ranger Station for availability and accessibility.