Boy Scout Cove Campground

There is a 14-day limit for occupying a campground, and pets on leashes are permitted.

Bailey Canyon Campground

## Overview

Fir Cove Campground is located on beautiful eastern shore of Ruth Lake, a 13,800-acre jewel situated in the thickly forested mountains of northern California. A variety of recreational opportunities abound.  
  
Fir Cove is one of three Forest Service campgrounds in the area, and one of two on the lake. Bailey Canyon Campground is the companion to Fir Cove. It is located east of Fir Cove and is first-come, first-serve.

## Recreation

The lake provides boating, water skiing, fishing and countless other recreation opportunities.   
  
Anglers can enjoy a catch of small and largemouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout, Kokonee salmon, bluegill and crappie.   
  
Forested peaks and valleys offer ample opportunities for hunting, hiking and off-road vehicle use. The Bailey Vista and Lakeview Trailheads start from Fir Cove, and the Picket Peak Trailhead starts from Bailey Canyon.

## Facilities

The campground offers several tent-only and multiple combined sites, many of them overlooking the lake. All sites are within a short walk from Ruth Lake. Sites 11 and 12 are companion sites.   
  
Tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as well as accessible vault toilets and drinking water.

## Natural Features

The campground straddles a seasonal creek that empties into Ruth Lake. It is nestled in a mixture of mature Douglas fir, oak, pine and cedar trees at an elevation of about 2,700 feet.   
  
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.

Fir Cove Campground

## Overview

This historic guard station offers a unique stay in the oldest Forest Service building on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This charming two-story structure was built in 1916 under the direction of John T. Grey, District Ranger of the Mad River Ranger District on the old Trinity National Forest.   
  
Visitors can relax on the front porch and enjoy the tranquil surroundings from mid-April to the beginning of December.

## Recreation

The South Fork National Recreational Trail can be accessed one and a half miles up the road from the cabin, or from the Scott Flat Campground when conditions permit crossing the swinging footbridge. The trail is 21 miles long, but the first 7.2-miles that parallel the South Fork Trinity River are the most traversed. The trail offers numerous scenic views. Visitors may also want to drive to Ruth Lake for a picnic and additional hiking, which is about a 45 minute drive west of the cabin. Visitors can find a few excellent swimming holes on the South Fork Trinity River.

## Facilities

The cabin has electricity. The lower level has a living area with two barrel chairs and a double futon, along with a large kitchen area equipped with a cook stove and refrigerator, dining table, and chairs. The kitchen is fully stocked with dishes, pots, pans, and utensils.   
  
There is an indoor bathroom with flush toilet. There are 4 twin beds, and a double futon, and sleeping bags can be placed on the floor to accommodate a total of eight people in the cabin. Visitors should bring all bed linens (e.g., sheets, blankets, sleeping bags and/or blankets, pillows), kitchen linens, and bath towels.   
  
A fire pit, Adirondak chairs, and picnic table are provided outside.   
  
Space heaters are in the cabin.

## Natural Features

Forest Glen Guard Station is located in the Hayfork Area, an area rich in natural beauty. One of its three major watersheds is the South Fork Trinity River, which is adjacent to the guard station and considered to be one of wildest and most scenic waterways in northern California. Glen Creek flows year round right next to the cabin. The surrounding area is forested with ponderosa pine, Douglas Fir, and oak. There are many numerous open meadows in the area. 

## Nearby Attractions

South Fork National Recreation Trail, South Fork Trinity River, South Fork Mountain Ridge, Ruth Lake.

Forest Glen Guard Station

Campground offers 10 campsites that can accomodate up to a 20 foot trailer. Access to facility is unpaved and there is no water system. The trailhead for the South Fork National Recreation Trail is located at this facility. Swimming, fishing, hiking on the South Fork Trinity River National Recreation Trail.

Scott Flat Campground

Campground offers 17 camping units that can accomodate up to a 16 foot trailer. There is beach access, swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching.

Hells Gate Campground

## Overview

Mad River Campground is located on banks of its namesake river, about two miles south of Ruth Lake in the thickly forested mountains of northern California.

## Recreation

Fishing is a popular activity and anglers can expect to catch a variety of trout in the Mad River. Nearby Ruth Lake is open for boating, swimming and other water-related activities. A marina and boat ramp are available for easy lake access, and maps and directions to the marina are located on the information boards in the campground.

## Facilities

The campground offers multiple single-family campsites, available for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A majority of the sites are adjacent to the Mad River.   
  
Tables and campfire rings are available at each site. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are also provided.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated on a bluff overlooking the river among a forested area of oak trees and evergreen shrubs. Portions of the campground are capped with tall Douglas fir trees, providing ample shade.   
  
The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park. 

## Nearby Attractions

The 13,800-acre Ruth Lake is about three miles south of the campground.

Mad River Campground

The Hensons' Hideaway

Philpot Campground

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.

Philpot Picnic Area

Critter Creek Campground & RV Park

County

we stayed there the last weekend in may and enjoyed the mild weather and the lack of other campers. the views of the cove are great and provide decent fishing from the bank. we were in for a show with a lightning storm as it moved in from the northeast. it rained, but the tree canopy did a decent job of providing coverage so we werent immediately. the site is truly primitive and while its advertised as having water available, its marked non-potable. its a bit of an adventure driving in, but well worth it.

Boy Scout Cove Campground

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