Hirz Bay
Shasta-Trinity National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Lakehead, CA, CA
Price: From $30 per night
Price range: $30–$60 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Season: May through October
Hirz Bay Campground is nestled among Manzanita and oak trees on a hilltop overlooking the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. The scenic location offers a variety of recreational activities, including a nearby boat ramp for water sports and a hiking trail.The nearest boat launch is about 1 mile away at Hirz Bay. Resorts on the lake have watercraft rentals and marinas with fuel.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Bear Boxes, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hirz-bay to be notified when sites open up.
Hirz Bay offers scenic hilltop camping overlooking McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake with excellent recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, and hiking. Campers consistently praise clean flush toilets, spacious sites with shade, and convenient water access.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area — bear boxes are essential. Also watch for Bald Eagles, Steller's Jays, and rattlesnakes (Striped Racer, Diadophis punctatus).
Insider tips for Hirz Bay: Site 27 is a double site with extra shade, two tables, and BBQ grill — request it if available. Bring insect repellent — yellow jackets are prevalent and campground has no control over them. Verify bear box is functional before setting up; actively use it for all food and coolers. Boat launch is approximately 1 mile away; watercraft rentals and fuel available at nearby lake resorts.
Skip Hirz Bay if: You need RV hookups — this campground has none and is suitable only for self-contained RVs.. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only..
Best time to visit Hirz Bay: May-October — Official operating season only. Peak visitation likely summer months; book early as noted for this federal campground..
Nearby campgrounds: Hirz Bay Group 1 (Lakehead, CA), Dekkas Rock (REDDING, CA), Moore Creek (Lakehead, CA), Hirz Mountain Lookout (REDDING, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hirz Bay
Cell signal at Hirz Bay (Lakehead, CA): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Hirz Bay Campground is nestled among Manzanita and oak trees on a hilltop overlooking the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. The scenic location offers a variety of recreational activities, including a nearby boat ramp for water sports and a hiking trail.The nearest boat launch is about 1 mile away at Hirz Bay. Resorts on the lake have watercraft rentals and marinas with fuel.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entrySite 27 is a double site with extra shade, two tables, and BBQ grill
request it if available.
Bring insect repellent
yellow jackets are prevalent and campground has no control over them.
Verify bear box is functional before setting up; actively use it for all food and coolers.
Boat launch is approximately 1 mile away; watercraft rentals and fuel available at nearby lake resorts.
Official operating season only. Peak visitation likely summer months; book early as noted for this federal campground.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Redding, CA, remain on I-5 to Gilman Road. (From the north, take Salt Creek exit to Gilman Road). Take Gilman Road east for 11 miles to entrance of Hirz Bay.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Shasta-Trinity National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Shasta-Trinity National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Hirz Bay cost per night?+
What season is Hirz Bay open?+
Does Hirz Bay have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Hirz Bay?+
How do I make reservations at Hirz Bay?+
What is the cell service like at Hirz Bay?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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