Reading Island Group Campground
Reading Island Group Campground is located on the beautiful Sacramento River in Shasta County, California. The campground has one group site that can accommodate up to 20 campers, has one vault toilet, fire rings, and picnic tables. There is easy access to the Sacramento River with informal access areas along the shore and a concrete boat ramp where campers can enjoy swimming, paddling, and fishing during the non-summer months. The boat ramp is inaccessible during the summer months due to aquatic plants. The campground is nearby to many other recreational experiences in Tehama and Shasta Counties such as - trails, wildflowers, wildlife, multi-day floats, more.
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Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site 1 | 40 | Paved | No / No | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Reading Island Group Campground contains fire rings, picnic tables, and a vault toilet. The area is generally flat with room for 20 campers. There is ample vehicle and RV parking at the group area, but no hook-ups for water, electricity, or sewer. Adjacent to the area is a boat ramp into Anderson Creek Slough that flows into the Sacramento River. This ramp is ideal for canoes, kayaks, and rafts; however, the slough can be difficult to navigate with motorboats during the summer months when plant life becomes thick on the surface of the slough. The boat ramp may be entirely clogged with plants during summer months making in inaccessible by any craft. The downstream tip of the island offers a fair landing site, but is ½ mile from the parking area. There are short dirt trails around the island to explore on foot.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate Highway 5 take exit 664 onto 4th St heading east for approximately 1 mile. Turn left on Balls Ferry Rd and travel approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto Adobe Rd and follow it until it ends and you encounter the yellow BLM gate.
| Nearest town | Cottonwood, California |
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 40.27° N, 122.20° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedShf Rx
19 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Natural features
Reading Island is a lush riparian island located between the Sacramento River and Anderson Creek Slough. The surrounding area is made up of the rolling hills of blue oak savanna with a diverse habitat for bald eagles, osprey, migratory and song birds, deer, and salmon.
Recreation
Paddling, fishing, and hiking are popular activities along the Sacramento River. The campground has informal river access points, while the day-use area has a concrete boat launch ideal for kayaks, canoes, and rafts during the non-summer months. The boat ramp is inaccessible during the summer months due to aquatic plants. Multi-day floats on the Sacramento River are popular, using Reading Island as an overnight stop. The island has a short system of informal hiking trails to be explored on foot. Birding and other wildlife viewing activities are great here. The greater Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area offers more recreation opportunities including equestrian friendly trails, wildflower viewing, waterfowl hunting in wetlands, and an undeveloped shooting range - all within a 30 minute drive.
Nearby
Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area has a diverse network of river access, trails, and parking areas. Horseback riding, hunting, target shooting, birding, and wildflower viewing are all very popular in the area. Redding offers hundreds of non-motorized multi-use trails including paved paths and singletrack dirt, many optimized for downhill mountain biking. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking. Cottonwood and Anderson, CA: Small towns with dining and shopping options. Redding, CA: Large town with an airport, hospitals, dining and shopping at larger box-stores.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Reading Island Group Campground?
Sites at Reading Island Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Reading Island Group Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Reading Island Group Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Reading Island Group Campground?
Reading Island Group Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Reading Island Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Reading Island Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Reading Island Group Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Reading Island Group Campground?
Paddling, fishing, and hiking are popular activities along the Sacramento River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Reading Island Group Campground?
Cottonwood, California. Sacramento River Bend Recreation Area has a diverse network of river access, trails, and parking areas.
Source: Getting there