How much does camping cost at Hirz Bay?

Camping fees at Hirz Bay range from $30-$60/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Hirz Bay first-come first-served or reservation?

Hirz Bay accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Hirz Bay before I book?

Yes! Hirz Bay has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Hirz Bay?

Hirz Bay is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Hirz Bay?

Hirz Bay does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Hirz Bay have?

Hirz Bay has 60 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Hirz Bay?

Pets are not allowed at Hirz Bay. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Hirz Bay?

Hirz Bay offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Hirz Bay?

Popular activities at Hirz Bay include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Hirz Bay

Q: Can I have a campfire at Hirz Bay?

Fire policies at Hirz Bay: Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.53

48 reviews

Gilman Road Exit off of Interstate 5, Lakehead, CA 96051, USA

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,067 ft

Price

$30 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Open from May 9th to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Shasta Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,067 ft

Price

$30 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

Open from May 9th to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Shasta Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Hirz Bay

$30.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Double Site: $60.00; MANAGEMENT: $46.00; Scan & Pay Double: $60.00; Scan & Pay Single: $30.00; Single Site: $30.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation...

Standard Site Fee$30.00

Group Site Fee$80.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-275-8113

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Hirz Bay

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Campground Map

Gilman Road Exit off of Interstate 5, Lakehead, CA 96051, USA

Hirz Bay

Gilman Road Exit off of Interstate 5, Lakehead, CA 96051, USA

Nearby places

Redding: Approx. 30 miles, 30-minute drive

Lakehead: Approx. 15 miles, 20-minute drive

Weather at Hirz Bay

Current alerts(9)

Active Bears in the area, please keep all food in designated bear locker.
Average maximum trailer size is 30 feet
Check-in time 3 P.M. and Check-out time 2 P.M.
Click here for further information on this campground

Best Time to Camp at Hirz Bay

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather, low-to-moderate crowds, and peak outdoor recreation: expect daytime highs generally in the low 60s to mid 70s°F and chilly nights in the 40s–50s. Lake levels are often replenished by winter runoff, making fishing and boating excellent and wildflowers and fresh oak/manzanita growth add to the scenery. Trails are comfortable for hiking and wildlife viewing before summer boat traffic and heat ramp up, though some campground services may not be in full Peak months: June, May, July, August Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Described as 'best conditions' — mild temps, higher runoff/lake levels and wildflowers in spring.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 9th to September 11th during peak season; reservations begin June 24th.

About Hirz Bay

Hirz Bay sits on the shores of Lake Shasta in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about 15 minutes north of Lakehead. Operated by Shasta Recreation Company, this mid-sized campground offers spacious, spread-out sites with lake views and direct water access. Campers come for fishing, boating, and hiking in the surrounding foothills, with flush toilets and potable water on-site.

Hirz Bay supports standard nonelectric campsites. Each site includes basic amenities, making it suitable for both tent and RV camping. Group camping is available as well, accommodating larger parties.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather, low-to-moderate crowds, and peak outdoor recreation: expect daytime highs generally in the low 60s to mid 70s°F and chilly nights in the 40s–50s. Lake levels are often replenished by winter runoff, making fishing and boating excellent and wildflowers and fresh oak/manzanita growth add to the scenery. Trails are comfortable for hiking and wildlife viewing before summer boat traffic and heat ramp up, though some campground services may not be in full Peak months: June, May, July, August Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1067 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground overlooks the McCloud Arm branch of Shasta Lake from 1,067 feet elevation. Weathered oaks and twisted manzanitas cover the slopes, shaped by the area's volcanic geology. From camp, you can see where mountain, forest, and water converge. The lake's shoreline winds below, and on clear days Mount Shasta's 14,179-foot peak appears to the north. Poison oak grows throughout the area.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodges available on-site.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Reservations are subject to a rolling booking window and must adhere to check-in and check-out times.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Single sites allow one vehicle
double sites allow two. A fee of $12 per night is charged for additional vehicles.

Groups

Group sites are available and are said to be 'perfectly set up, shaded, and close proximity to bathrooms and trash/recycle.' However, users have cited issues like 'poison oak everywhere' and broken bear lockers.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov (online, app, or call center at 1-877-444-6777).

AccessibilityNo extensive details provided about accessibility features. Users have not mentioned specific accommodations for disabilities.

Site SizeSites are described as 'very large' and 'spread out,' with some offering substantial privacy.

PrivacyVaries by site. While some sites are noted for their privacy ('Super private campsites'), others are criticized for their lack of privacy ('Absolutely zero privacy').

Total Campsites60 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid sites with broken bear lockers or high yellow jacket presence (e.g., Site 35). Site 46 is recommended for privacy and convenient access to water.

Best CampsitesGroup Site 35 has shade, close bathroom access, and works well for large parties. Site 46 offers privacy and quiet. Some individual sites provide substantial space and seclusion, while others lack privacy entirely. Site quality varies significantly.

Need help booking Hirz Bay?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Hirz Bay Campground offers a range of amenities, with each campsite including a paved parking spur, a table, a bear-proof food locker, and a fire ring. The facility has a pay phone, drinking water, flush toilets, and an overflow parking area. However, user reviews frequently highlight maintenance issues: 'Bear proof trash cans were full and not being emptied,' 'Bathrooms were not restocked since we arrived,' and 'Toilet paper not replaced in bathrooms all weekend.'

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Hirz Bay Campground offers a variety of recreational activities, including water sports, fishing, hiking, and boating. The Hirz Bay Trail, a 2-mile hike, is accessible from the campground. Water activities are a highlight, with users enjoying 'power and non-motorized boating,' as well as fishing for 'trout, catfish, Chinook salmon, crappie, and bass.'

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredEach campsite includes bear-proof lockers, although some are reported to be broken.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Trash & RecyclingThe campground has bear-proof trash cans and recycling facilities. However, several users noted that trash cans were 'full and not being emptied,' which sometimes led to overflow and bear activity.

Cell CoverageNo information is provided about the availability or quality of cell phone service. Users have noted frustration with 'marginal signal.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.5

48 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Hirz Bay has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User sentiment about Hirz Bay Campground is mixed, with an average rating of 3.5. Positive reviews praise the scenic location and spacious campsites, while negative reviews highlight maintenance issues and problematic wildlife interactions.

Review Summaries

Based on 48 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 48 reviews.

Site #46Loved
Site #46 is noted for its good privacy and proximity to water and bathrooms.
Site #35Mentioned
Site #35 is frequently mentioned for yellow jacket infestations and bear activity.
Site #21Issues noted
Site #21 received heavy criticism for being poorly maintained ('looked like a bulldozer came through').

What Campers Love

Users frequently highlight the spacious sites ('very large and spread out'), scenic views ('beautiful views and water is so close'), and the availability of amenities like flush toilets and potable...

Based on 48 reviews

Common Concerns

Users express frustration with maintenance issues, such as 'trash cans full and not being emptied,' 'no toilet paper in the bathrooms,' and 'broken bear lockers.' Wildlife issues were also a concern,...

Based on 48 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own toilet paper and trash bags, as facilities may not be well-maintained. Be cautious of yellow jackets during meals, and store food securely to avoid attracting bears.

Based on 48 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often highlight extreme heat ('106 temps'), while spring visits tend to note better weather conditions. Drought conditions can affect lake levels and the quality of water activities.

Based on 48 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Bears visited all night every night.' 2. 'Super private campsites. Beautiful views and water is so close.' 3. 'Bathrooms were not restocked since we arrived.' 4. 'Our family is planning to make...

Based on 48 reviews