Shasta Lake, CA
CAMPGROUNDS
Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area
The Shasta Unit is one of three units that comprise the Whiskeytown - Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. It was established by Congress in 1965. These areas were recognized for their unique and varied recreation potential.
Shasta Lake forms the core of the Shasta Unit and offers recreationist a variety of outdoor activities including: boating, water-skiing, swimming, fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, and mountain biking.
The Shasta Lake Unit and the Shasta Lake Boating Safety maps are available at no charge through the USDA website and in their offices.
For information on purchasing the Shasta-Trinity National Forest map as well as many other National Forest maps, please browse to the Maps & Publications page.
Interpretive programs are offered at the Antlers Amphitheater during the summer months and are free to the public. For locations and times, please contact the Shasta Recreation Company (concessionaire to the Forest Service) @ 530-275-8113.
Shasta Lake Detail Map: Click here.
How far to the water? Click here for a detailed matrix of Shasta Lake campgrounds and their proximity to the water
Boat Ramps at Shasta Lake Shasta Unit
Whiskeytown - Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Shasta Lake
Camping, Campsites, Day Use and Hiking
Shasta Lake Area
Campground Camping Areas
Antlers campground is located adjacent to Antlers boat ramp and Antlers amphitheater. The campground is located on a bluff above the lake and although some sites are near the lakeshore, direct access to the water is difficult. The campground area is flat and level, covered with oak and pine forest which provide shade and good screening between units.
Each campsite contains a paved parking spur, a table, bear boxes, and one fire ring.
Antlers amphitheater consists of a building and stage and a adjacent paved parking lot for 22 vehicles. During the summer months, Interpretive Programs are provided.
Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, raised fire ring, bear boxes, and paved parking spur. Each camping site has brick pavers which provide increased accessibility.
Directions: From Interstate 5, take Highway 299 East 35 miles to Big Bend Road (Co. 7M01). On Big Bend Road, drive 17 miles to the town of Big Bend then 5.5 miles to Iron Canyon Reservoir.
Ellery Creek campground is a 19 single unit campground close to the shores of Shasta Lake. It is a popular campground because boats can be moored on the shore within sight of the campground. All sites have a picnic table, tent pads, fire rings, bear boxes, and paved parking spurs.
Each site has a picnic table, and a fire ring.
Operating season is subject to change for bald eagle habitat protection.
The campground is located within the Hirz Bay recreation complex. Included within the recreation complex is this family campground, two group camps, and boat ramp. Each campsite contains a paved parking spur, a table, bear boxes, and one fire ring.
This campground has a pay phone, an overflow parking area, access to Hirz Bay trail, and is located near Hirz Bay boat ramp.
This campground is close to both Antlers and Sugarloaf boat ramps.
Each site has a paved surface area, a picnic table, raised fire ring, and parking spur.
This campground is located in a small canyon adjacent to the lake. The Jones Valley boat ramp and the Clickipudi Trail are located nearby.
All sites have an paved parking spur, tent pad, raised campfire ring, bear boxes, and a picnic table.
Madrone Campground is a beautiful, remotely located facility. This campground is very popular with hunters and visitors that want to get away from the crowds.
All campsites have picnic tables, raised fire rings, tent pads, bear boxes, and paved parking spurs. The units have brick pavers to provide an accessible surface. Adjacent to the McCloud Bridge Day Use Area. McCloud Bridge is a very popular campground for easy lake access and is located on an old ranch site that is set amongst fruit trees, sweet peas, and berries.
All campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, bear boxes and paved parking spurs.
All sites have a picnic table, unpaved parking spur and either a campfire ring, grill or stove available.
Water for this campground is inoperable.
All campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, bear boxes, and paved parking spurs.
All sites have a picnic table, campfire ring, and a paved parking spur.
Activities: Off-highway vehicle staging area and trail access, camping, and access to the Sacramento River for kayaking and fishing activities. Swimming, not recommended. No motorized boat launching area.
Area Description: Shasta campground is located within the designated Chappie Shasta Off-Highway Area, which offers 250 miles of roads and trails over 52,000 acres for off-road enthusiasts. Elevation within this area ranges from 1000 to 5000 feet with a wide variety of topography, soil, and vegetation types. The southeastern portions offer rocky and challenging terrain, while the more remote northwestern portions offer scenic views of Mt. Shasta, Lake Shasta, and the Trinity Alps.
Seasons of Use: open year round. This campground in only accessible by crossing Shasta Dam.
Due to Homeland Security guidelines, an access permit must be acquired at least 72 hours in advance in order to cross Shasta Dam. This will link to the Bureau of Reclamation application for permission to cross Shasta Dam. Bureau of Reclamation permit to cross Shasta Dam (pdf -16578Kb)
This document is in Adobe Acrobat format (get Adobe Reader).
All sites have a picnic table, campfire ring, and an unpaved parking spur.
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Shasta Lake Area
Arbuckle Flat Boat-In Campground
Arbuckle Flat is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located far up the Pit Arm of the lake, this facility is very popular with those visitors who want to get away from the crowds. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water.
Beehive Point Shoreline Campground
There are no permanent facilities at Beehive dispersed area. Portable restrooms and trash receptacles are provided during the peak operating season.
Gooseneck Cove Boat-In Campground
Gooseneck Cove is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located on the upper Sacramento arm of the lake, this facility is very popular. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water.
Greens Creek Boat-In Campground
Greens Creek is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located on the McCloud Arm of the lake, this facility is popular with those visitors who want to get away from the crowds. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water.
Gregory Beach Shoreline Campground
There are no permanent facilities at the Gregory Beach area. Portable restrooms and trash receptacles are provided during the operating season (May - Sept).
Jones Valley Inlet Shoreline Campground
There are no permanent facilities at Jones Valley Inlet area. Portable restrooms and trash receptacles are provided during the operating season.
Lower Salt Creek Shoreline Campground
There are no permanent facilities at the Lower Salt Creek area. Portable restrooms and trash receptacles are provided during the operating season.
Mariners Point Shoreline Campground
Mariner`s Point shoreline camping area has seven ( 7) tables, and seven (7) fire grills. Portable restrooms and trash receptacles are provided during the operating season (mid-May - mid-Sept).
Ski-Island is one of four boat-access only campgrounds on Shasta lake. Located near the Mariners Point campground on the Pit Arm of the lake, this facility is very popular during the summer months. Whether or not the access is difficult varies depending on the current lake level. There are vault toilets and no piped water.
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Shasta Lake Area
This group camp has the following facilities; eight (8) large tables; two (2) large pedestal grills, one (1) large family barbecue grill, two (2) campfire rings and four (4) unpaved parking spurs. An additional unpaved parking lot with eight (8) spaces provided for boat trailers and overflow use.
Hirz Bay 1 group camp has a maximum capacity of 120 people. The camp has the following; two (2) large pedestal grills; one (1) large fire ring; two (2) large sinks with faucets and a paved parking lot with 21 spaces. The parking area is separate from the sleeping/camping area.
Hirz Bay 2 group campground has a maximum capacity of 80 people. The camp has the following facilities; nine (9) picnic tables, one (1) large open fire ring, one (1) large pedestal grill, two (2) grate type fireplaces and two (2) hydrants. A paved parking area for 23 vehicles is provided and located away from the sleeping/camping area.
All campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, bear boxes and paved parking spurs.
All sites have a picnic table, unpaved parking spur and either a campfire ring, grill or stove available. Water for this campground is inoperable.
All campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, bear boxes, and paved parking spurs.
Click here for Mt. Shasta Camping
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