How much does camping cost at Hirz Bay Group 1?

Camping fees at Hirz Bay Group 1 are $170/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Hirz Bay Group 1 first-come first-served or reservation?

Hirz Bay Group 1 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 Group 1 before I book?

Yes! Hirz Bay Group 1 has 6 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 Group 1?

Hirz Bay Group 1 is open April 01 to September 30. 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 Group 1?

Hirz Bay Group 1 does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Hirz Bay Group 1 have?

Hirz Bay Group 1 has 1 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 Group 1?

Yes, pets are allowed at Hirz Bay Group 1. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Hirz Bay Group 1?

Hirz Bay Group 1 offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Hirz Bay Group 1?

Popular activities at Hirz Bay Group 1 include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Hirz Bay Group 1

3.84

29 reviews

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

Pet FriendlySummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,067 ft

Price

$170/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Top 3% in state

RV Friendly

Book on Shasta Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,067 ft

Price

$170/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Top 3% in state

RV Friendly

Book on Shasta Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Hirz Bay Group 1

$170.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $170.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$170.00

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Provider

530-275-8113

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

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

Hirz Bay Group 1

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

Nearby places

San Francisco (250 miles), Sacramento (approximately 200 miles), Redding (25 miles)

Weather at Hirz Bay Group 1

Best Time to Camp at Hirz Bay Group 1

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Hirz Bay Group 1 because lake and water-based activities are at their peak — expect reliable warm, dry weather and full access to boating, swimming, and group beach time. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-80s to low-100s°F with cooler nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s, so early-morning hikes and late-afternoon boating are most comfortable. Weekends and holiday weeks are noticeably busier with group reservations and boat traffic, so book the site in Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is peak season; best for boating, swimming and warm, dry weather per overview and reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 01 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open for reservations from April 1 to September 30, 2025.

About Hirz Bay Group 1

Hirz Bay Group 1 is a group campground on Shasta Lake in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, operated by Shasta Recreation Company. The site accommodates large groups with tent and RV options, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Campers use the site for lake access, boating, fishing, and hiking in the surrounding foothills.

Hirz Bay Group 1 Campground is designed for group camping, accommodating up to 120 people. It is suitable for tent camping, but RVs are welcome with a trailer size limit of 30 feet.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Hirz Bay Group 1 because lake and water-based activities are at their peak — expect reliable warm, dry weather and full access to boating, swimming, and group beach time. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-80s to low-100s°F with cooler nights in the mid-50s to mid-60s, so early-morning hikes and late-afternoon boating are most comfortable. Weekends and holiday weeks are noticeably busier with group reservations and boat traffic, so book the site in Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1067 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies terrain where oak trees and manzanita cover steep slopes leading down to Shasta Lake's shoreline. When lake levels drop, exposed rocks create a different landscape along the water's edge. The setting is secluded despite the group site's capacity. Poison oak grows in the area, a detail multiple campers mention. The combination of forest and lakefront creates varied habitat for wildlife, including an active bear population.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging accommodations such as cabins or hotels are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay limit is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 120 guests per group site.

Groups

The group site can accommodate up to 120 people, but user reviews suggest that 50 people filled all good tent locations. Parking capacity may also limit practical group size.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsAvailable on Recreation.gov and through the contact center.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in the provided material.

Site SizeThe group site is described as large, accommodating up to 120 people. However, reviews suggest that 50 people filled the good tent locations, indicating a practical capacity closer to 50 for tent camping.

PrivacyThe campground is secluded, offering privacy despite its size. "The group site is large and secluded" - User review.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommended for groups of 50-70 due to limitations on tent locations and parking. "The site is big but 125 would be way too many. We had about 50 people, and all the good tent locations were taken.

Need help booking Hirz Bay Group 1?

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 Group 1 Campground is equipped with amenities to support large groups, including a picnic area, two large pedestal grills, a single large fire ring, and two sinks with faucets. A paved parking lot is available but has limited capacity (21 spaces), which may be inadequate for a full group, especially with RVs or boats. Vault toilets are provided, and bear-proof trash bins are available, but reviews note issues with their capacity and occasional bear activity.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Hirz Bay Group 1

Hirz Bay Group 1 offers various recreational activities with access to nearby trails, water sports, and fishing opportunities. Popular activities include power boating, fishing, water skiing, and non-motorized boating. The Hirz Bay Trail (2 miles long) and nearby attractions such as Lake Shasta Caverns further enhance the camping experience. Seasonal lake levels and wildlife (including bears) may affect usability.

Fishing4.0/5

Boating4.0/5

Boat ramp ~1 mile away; resorts rent watercraft; popular for power boating and water skiing.

Water Sports3.5/5

Non-motorized boating is popular and lake access is available via ramp or shore.

Hiking3.0/5

Hirz Bay Trail is 2 miles, scenic but can be steep in sections.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography3.5/5Lake vistas, hillside vegetation and exposed rock shelves at low water offer varied photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Food Storage RequiredTwo bear-proof lockers are available, though one was reported as broken.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

Rate Hirz Bay Group 1

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From Booking Sources

3.8

29 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Hirz Bay Group 1 has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight issues with bears, trash management, and poison oak but praise the large size and seclusion of the campground. Sentiment varies, with some describing the site as ideal for groups and others as unsafe due to wildlife.

Review Summaries

Based on 29 reviews

What Campers Love

"Pictures don’t do this place justice. We had a really large group and still had plenty of room to spare." "Lovely place" "Nice outhouses and picnic tables too" "Our favorite place to camp, we go...

Based on 29 reviews

Common Concerns

"Terrible experience there were people partying and screaming playing loud music." "Bears are surprisingly scary when banging on trash cans at 4 am." "There is a pair of bears that pillage through...

Based on 29 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

"The group site is large and secluded." "The parking lot held about eight more cars and trucks in addition to two RVs." "One of the bear lockers was broken." "Pit toilets were cleaned Saturday but...

Based on 29 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bear-proof containers and manage trash carefully due to high bear activity. Avoid tent camping if bears make you uncomfortable. Watch out for poison oak. Consider the lake levels and steep...

Based on 29 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer appears to be the peak season, with most reviews referencing July camping experiences. Wildlife activity, including bears and mosquitoes, intensifies during this time. Poison oak is...

Based on 29 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Terrible experience there were people partying and screaming playing loud music." "Party ended about 2 am each night and bears came into camp about 4 am each morning." "Lovely place no phone...

Based on 29 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is not explicitly mentioned in the reviews.

Based on 29 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

"Our favorite place to camp, we go about 5 times a year. Our dogs love it for swimming in the lake." "Lovely place"

Based on 29 reviews

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Hirz Bay Group 1

$170.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $170.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Group Site Fee$170.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

530-275-8113

Go if

You're organizing a large group outing and want direct lake access for boating and fishing.

Skip if

You prefer quiet, dispersed camping or need ample trash facilities for extended group stays.

Nearby Campgrounds

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

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.