The campground is a single loop and is moderately to thickly wooded with a mix of oak and pine trees that provide plenty of shade in the hot summers (80% + cover). The understory, which consists of manzanita, blackberries, poison oak, tree fern, wild grape and a variety of native grasses and forbs provide limited privacy between campsites. When the lake level is high, the bank is moderately sloped to provide access to the water. As the lake level drops, it exposes a step drop off to the water, especially on the side of the campground nearest Gregory Beach. There is a boat ramp nearby at Antlers. Lake activities include fishing, swimming, motorized and non-motorized boating, and watersports.

 Each site has a picnic table, and a fire ring. Operating season is subject to change for bald eagle habitat protection. See Forest Order 14-58-40 – Eagle Closure. Please check with the Shasta Lake Ranger Station (530) 275-1587 regarding the status of this campground.

Directions

Located adjacent to Gregory Beach dispersed area along the Upper Sacramento River Arm of Shasta Lake. 15 miles northeast of I-5 on Gilman Road. From I-5, take exit 698 Salt Creek/Gilman Road. Turn left at end of off ramp and follow Salt Creek Road (also known as Gregory Creek Road) for 4 miles.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 53′ 16.7010″ N

Longitude 122° 22′ 5.3350″ W

** Due to fluctuating water levels on Shasta Lake, visitors are encouraged to contact the Shasta Recreation Company (concessionaire to the Forest Service) @ 530-275-8113 or the Shasta-Triinity National Forest, Shasta Lake Ranger Station at (530) 275-1587 for possible temporary campground closures. **

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 availble at no charge through this website and in our 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.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 54′ 29.8970″ N

Longitude 122° 9′ 45.0565″ W

Incorporates parts of Highway 89 out of McCloud and Highway 49 northeast to Medicine Lake. There are two Recreation Opportunity Guides available on request for the Modoc Volcanic National Scenic Byway.  The 49 road to Medicine Lake is open.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

Happy Camping!  Our campgrounds are open and are very popular already! 

Are you interested in camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, picnicing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, or sight seeing?  The choices for recreation are almost unlimited on the McCloud District.

During the late spring, summer and early fall, the McCloud Area offers fishing, hunting, swimming, camping, hiking, photography oppurtunities, and spectacular scenery. During the winter months, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow- shoeing, hunting, fishing, and downhill skiing are the top ranking outdoor opportunities. The Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile Park has vault toilets, a warming hut, and miles of groomed trails for your use. 

There are a number of developed campgrounds and day use facilities located along the scenic McCloud River, that includes Fowlers, Cattle Camp, and Camp 4. Fowlers CG has 31 reservation only and 8 first come, first served sites. (All walk-in until May 15th) Camp 4 is a reservation only group campground.  You can reserve a site at recreation.gov.  There is a 14 day stay limit at our campgrounds.  Cattle Camp is first come first served.

The McCloud River parallels Highway 89 from its source near Dead Horse Summit to Fowlers Campground. There it turns south and continues through private property to the McCloud Reservoir. At the “Res” as it is known locally, the river again flows through National Forest lands to a point several miles below AhDiNa Campground, plus several other areas downstream to the Nature Conservancy’s  McCloud River Preserve. From here, the river passes through mostly private property and public access from the banks is extremely limited until the river enters the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. 

Another popular camping option on your National Forest is the dispersed camping option.  You may camp anywhere on NF land unless designated otherwise for 14 days in any given spot and up to 30 days.  You may not disperse camp on the McCloud River Loop area, see map.  

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 20′ 1.7260″ N

Longitude 121° 52′ 55.8034″ W

Description: This small primitive campground is nestled in a thick mixed conifer forest approximately ¼ mile below Castle Lake. There are 6 sites with tables, fire rings and vault toilets. Bring your own water. 3-night limit. No fee. No reservations. Not recommended for large vehicle or trailers. Usually opens around the end of May depending on when the snow melts, and usually is closed by snow around the first of November. Features: Visitors may walk or drive the short distance to the lake. Castle Lake is a pristine glacial cirque lake with granite cliffs and clear water, one of the most popular attractions in the Mt. Shasta area. Hiking, swimming, fishing, and flat-water kayaking are favorite activities here. There are a few hiking trails to explore including the short and easy Shoreline Trail on the west side of the lake.

Special note about Castle Lake

Please be aware that Castle Lake is partially situated on private property.  The traditional trail to Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake leaves the east end of the parking area and ascends to the divide above the east side of the lake. It begins on public land in section 24 of T39N R5W but immediately crosses the boundary of section 19 of T39N R4W. This entire section of land (about 640 acres) is privately owned property and posted as such. There is no legal access across this section to these lakes. Please be respectful and avoid trespassing. However, the west shore of the lake is public and features a short trail with easy access to the water.

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Directions

From Mt. Shasta city, head west on Lake Street over the freeway and to the stop sign at Old Stage Road. Turn left (south) and drive 1/4 mile to a fork in the road. Stay to the right at the fork and continue on this road (W.A. Barr Road). In 2 miles you will cross the dam at Lake Siskiyou and then you will see the turnoff for Castle Lake. Turn left and drive the paved road 7 miles to the lake. castle Lake Campground is located 1/4 mile below the lake on the left (east) side of the road.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 14′ 8.4023″ N

Longitude 122° 22′ 44.4187″ W

Recreation on the unit centers on the two designated wilderness areas of Mount Shasta and Castle Crags. Dominating the landscape for several hundred miles in all directions, Mount Shasta looms 14,162 feet, a beautiful snow-cloaked massif, second only to Mount Rainier in height among the famous Cascade Range volcanoes. No trails lead up Mount Shasta, but trails provide access to the Wilderness and the foot of the mountain.

The Wilderness shares its southern border with Castle Crags State Park. You’ll find 27.8 miles of maintained trails starting from nine trailheads. The Pacific Crest Trail rambles for 19 miles through the area.

Most of the National Forest lands on the Mt. Shasta district are open for dispersed camping. Remember, most dispersed sites will be affected by campfire restrictions starting sometime in July. When restrictions are in effect, you may still operate a gas stove and/or a gas-only barbeque with a valid campfire permit. Wood fires and charcoal barbeques are strictly prohibited. Please use proper sanitation methods for human waste, pack out all of your garbage, and leave no trace of your stay.

Current list of Road Closures, Campground & Trail information.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 41° 13′ 45.1105″ N

Longitude 122° 24′ 55.1218″ W

Some trails and roads in the area of Blackrock Mountain near the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness were affected by the Buck Fire; for more information, please call the Yolla Bolla Ranger Station at 352-4211.

In the Wintun Indian language, “Yo-la” meant “snow covered”, and “Bo-li” meant “high peak.” The second part of this Wilderness’ name refers to the headwaters of the Middle Fork Eel River, which originates in this remote and rugged land.This area was first protected in 1931 when it was classified as a primitive area. Further protection was given when this area became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, created by the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The Wilderness Act of 1984 added another 2,000 acres to the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, for a total of about 151,626 acres.

The Wilderness is roughly oval in shape, being about 19 miles long in the north-south direction and 24 miles wide in the east-west direction. The majority of the Wilderness lies in two districts of the Mendocino National Forest (Covelo and Grindstone Ranger Districts). The far northern portion of the Wilderness is in the Yolla Bolla Ranger District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. To the far west, a part of the Wilderness is in the Mad River Ranger District of the Six Rivers National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management has a small portion of the Wilderness (also on the western edge).

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ S

Longitude 0° 0′ 0.0000″ W

The SFMU is based in Hayfork and contains the Hayfork and Yolla Bolla Ranger Districts. The SFMU encompasses over 590,000 acres. Three major streams from the primary watersheds within this area; the South Fork of the Trinity River, Hayfork Creek and Beegum Creek.

The SFMU is bounded along its western side by South Fork Mountain, one of the longest continuous ridgelines in North America. At the southern end of the unit are the Yolla Bolla Mountains and one of two wilderness areas with the unit, the Yolla Bolla/ Middle Eel Wilderness. Situated along the eastern side of the SFMU is the Chanchelulla Wilderness. The northern end of the unit is bounded by a series of ridgelines and peaks that include Pattison Peak, Hayfork Bally and Hayfork Divide.

The large variety in terrain and ecosystems that exist on the South Fork Management Unit (SFMU) provide for a wide range of recreational opportunities.

You can rent an historic cabin, camp in a wide variety of campgrounds, both developed and undeveloped, hike into either the Yolla Bolly or Chanchelula Wilderness area, or enjoy a 40+ mile wild and scenic river corridor. With this wide range of recreational opportunities, you should be able to find just the right one for your interests.

The Chanchelulla Wilderness is the second of the two wilderness areas in the South Fork Management Unit, which provides opportunity for wilderness hiking and camping.

The South Fork of the Trinity is a rich resource with its serene beauty and its many recreational opportunities.

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 16′ 11.0043″ N

Longitude 123° 0′ 33.9030″ W

Slide Creek Campground is has 5 tent only camp units. There is no water system.

Nearby Activities

• Camping

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 40′ 6.9600″ N

Longitude 123° 30′ 12.6000″ W

This facility has 6 picnic spots. There is no water system and it is unpaved access to the facility. The facility provides hiking access for the Philpot Interpretive Trail.

Nearby Activities

• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 40° 27′ 57.4767″ N

Longitude 123° 11′ 26.9844″ W