LaTour Demonstration Forest

LaTour: Campgrounds are currently opened in accordance with State Guidance and County Health Officer Approval.   

The State of California recognizes the importance of outdoor activities and exercise during this challenging time of COVID-19. As such, CAL FIRE Demonstration State Forest staff are working with local officials on a regionally-driven approach to increase access to camping and recreating.

While stay-at-home orders may be modified, it does not mean things are going back to normal. It is critical that Californians continue to stay close to home, practice physical distancing, and avoid congregating with others outside their immediate household to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, CAL FIRE is asking that visitors and campers at Demonstration State Forests adhere to the following guidelines to keep you and our staff safe:

• Stay Clean:
  • Bring and use your own soap, disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, paper towels and toilet paper.
  • Bring plastic table cloths for picnic tables that can be disposed of or taken back home for washing.
• Pack out what you pack in:
  • Pack out all trash wherever possible to minimize the amount of trash staff must dispose of at the campsite, trailhead, or other facilities.
• Practice Physical Distancing:
  • Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more
  • Do not gather in groups larger than currently recommended by the local county.
• Camp Safely
  • Only one household should occupy each campsite.
  • Group campsites remain closed.
• Stay Informed:
  • Visit CA GOV for the latest information on COVID-19.
  • Check the local city and county reopening guidelines for additional regulations and safety procedures.
  • When arriving at a Demonstration State Forest for camping or other recreation activities, be sure to follow any posted signs or verbal direction from CAL FIRE staff.

Shasta County COVID-19 Information: https://www.co.shasta.ca.us/covid-19/overview 

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Established: 1949
Area: 9,033 acres
Elevation: 3,800 to 6,740 ft.
Precipitation: 46 inches per year
Temperature: Max: 90 F - Min: 30 F

This property became a state forest in 1946 when the State Lands Commission deeded the property to the then California Division of Forestry. It is located in Shasta County south of Burney and east of Redding at the edge of the Lassen National Forest. LaTour forest contains many interesting volcanic and glacial geological features.

The forest supports 10 coniferous tree species of commercial value. These are sugar, ponderosa, Jeffrey, western white and lodge-pole pine, Douglas-fir, white and red fir incense cedar and mountain hemlock. The stands contain lesser amounts of hardwood trees, such as California black and canyon live oak, big leaf maple, and red alder.

As part of the Cascade Range, the area is popular with hikers, bicyclists, snowmobilers, and equestrian groups. Hunting and fishing may be enjoyed in season and in accordance with the Department of Fish and Game laws.

Normally, the forest is accessible to vehicles from late June until November. Winter and spring months are often a time of high winds, deep snow, and extreme cold, making the area inaccessible to vehicle traffic except for snowmobiles. Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, restroom facilities, and water is available. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash. Please keep horses out of campgrounds.

In the summer and fall, forest roads are open to public travel except when there is danger due to logging equipment. The use of scooters, carts, mountain bikes, etc., is restricted to the forest roads.