Glamping in Hayfork, California offers unique camping experiences in Trinity County's mountainous terrain, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 feet throughout the region. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with hot, dry summers reaching 90°F and cold winters with occasional snowfall at higher elevations. Water temperatures in local lakes and rivers remain cool even during summer months, typically ranging from 55-65°F.
What to do
Paddle sports on Lewiston Lake: Bailey Canyon Campground provides excellent access for water activities. One visitor reported, "Swimming, fishing and boating. Caught bass and catfish. Watched Osprey diving for fish in the early morn right from my campsite."
Wildlife observation: Trinity County offers exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. At Bailey Canyon Campground, campers can spot "Bald eagles, Herons and Hawks" according to recent visitors.
Short hiking trails: The region features accessible trails connecting directly to many sites. One camper at Mary Smith Campground mentioned, "Great little hiking trail steps from our site. Easy access to the water for some swimming."
Fishing in mountain streams: The Trinity River and surrounding waterways offer productive fishing spots. Campers report success catching multiple species, with one noting, "Caught bass and catfish" while staying at Bailey Canyon.
What campers like
Peaceful lake settings: Many visitors appreciate the tranquil water experiences. A camper at Mary Smith stated, "It's especially so calming because there isn't a million boats on the lake partying and such it's just quiet and calm water."
Uncrowded camping experience: Even during peak season, many sites remain relatively quiet. A visitor to Mary Smith Campground noted, "We had the campground to ourselves as they hadn't put up the glamping tents yet."
Natural swimming areas: Despite cool temperatures, swimming is popular. One review mentions, "We took tubes out and laid in the water and soaked up the sun, it was so nice."
Wildlife viewing from campsites: Hayden Flat Campground provides riverside sites with animal sightings. A camper at Bailey Canyon shared, "Kids enjoyed swimming catching frogs, turtles and baby catfish with their hands."
What you should know
Site elevation considerations: Many glamping platforms in the area are positioned on hills. A camper noted about Mary Smith, "This campground is hilly and one must pack gear down or up to one's spot which was a pain but once settled it was a fun and relaxing time."
Limited services: Philpot Picnic Area has "drinking water" but most sites have minimal services. One camper described it as "a great little spot never too many people here nice and quiet lots of forest around it good for hiking."
Cold water temperatures: Despite hot summer air temperatures, water remains cold. A visitor mentioned, "The lake was too cold for swimming and the fish were hanging out in deep water."
Poison oak awareness: Some areas have native hazard plants. A camper warned, "My only precaution is the campground has LOTS of poison oak," though they also noted at Bailey Canyon that "Poison oak is cleared from around the campsite but need to use care off trail."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water exploration: Shallow water areas allow for safe nature interaction. A Bailey Canyon visitor shared, "Kids enjoyed swimming catching frogs, turtles and baby catfish with their hands."
Platform tent options: Elevated sites provide both comfort and views. A Mary Smith camper explained, "We set our tents up on the platforms and had a great view of the lake and trinity alps in the distance."
Proximity to bathrooms: When booking sites with children, consider bathroom locations. One camper noted, "There's a bathroom in front of site 12, but doesn't have light. And there are flushable toilets near the entry of the campground but also no lights."
Varied terrain for different ages: Shell Gulch Campground offers accessible creekside options. A visitor mentioned, "Nice creek and there is a fish ladder just down the way," providing educational opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Strawhouse Resorts and Cafe offers the most comprehensive RV services with "electric-hookups," "fifty-amp-hookups," "thirty-amp-hookups," "water-hookups," and "sewer-hookups" according to site information.
Road access considerations: Some sites have challenging access. Shell Gulch Campground is described as "right off of Wildwood road" but visitors should note they're "in the heart of grow land so don't wander too far!"
Limited dump stations: Only select locations offer sanitary dump facilities. Strawhouse Resorts and Hayden Flat Campground are among the few with "sanitary-dump" facilities in the area.
Seasonal access restrictions: Some roads become difficult in winter. Hayden Flat Campground has a seasonal operation period of "May to October" due to access limitations and weather conditions.
