Tent camping near Hayfork, California provides access to the southern section of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which encompasses over 2.1 million acres with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 9,000 feet. Summer temperatures in the Trinity County region often reach 90°F during daytime hours, while nighttime temperatures drop to the 50s even in July and August. Primitive campsites throughout the area require visitors to pack out all trash and observe seasonal fire restrictions.
What to do
Creek swimming access: Several campgrounds near Hayfork provide direct creek access. Slide Creek Campground offers "the most breathtaking views you could ever imagine with the south for Trinity River running right through it plenty of hiking plenty of fishing and plenty of beautiful scenery," according to one visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Boy Scout Cove Campground at Ruth Lake provides "decent fishing from the bank" with "great" views of the cove, as noted by camper Paul H. Fish for trout in creeks or try lake fishing at established sites around Ruth Lake.
Natural feature exploration: Several unique geological formations exist within driving distance of Hayfork campsites. One camper at Shell Gulch Campground mentioned, "This wildwood area is super nice there are lots of caves and rock formations. Natural bridge is 5 miles or so up the road to the left."
What campers like
Quiet environment: Deerlick Springs Campground receives praise for its peaceful atmosphere. Mindy G. reported, "I love this place. I camped here several times last year and just went up again for my first trip this season... There is a creek (Browns Creek) running through most sights."
Mineral springs access: The mineral springs near some camping areas attract visitors seeking therapeutic waters. At Deerlick Springs, campers can "access via an easement from a paid campground (trinity outpost) which is directly next to this free campground."
Stargazing conditions: Trinity National Forest camping areas offer excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Trinity O. described Deerlick Springs as "A wilderness paradise" with "beautiful trails and swimming holes, nature and wildlife surrounding a dark night sky."
What you should know
Campground conditions vary: Some sites may be poorly maintained during certain periods. One visitor to Deerlick Springs reported, "The campground is overgrown with weeds/grass... The toilets need some work, appears they haven't been pumped since last year."
Supplies and amenities: Mary Smith Campground near Weaverville has more facilities than most Hayfork-area sites. A camper noted, "There isn't a camp store, so you do need to buy firewood and ice up the street from Lewiston gas station."
Site access challenges: Many camping areas require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor to Deerlick Springs cautioned, "The drive in could be a challenge for an RV, so I'd caution anyone to check it out first, before pulling a trailer in."
Water temperature variations: Streams and lakes in the region remain cold even in summer. A Mary Smith camper reported, "The lake was too cold for swimming and the fish were hanging out in deep water so no swimming or successful fishing."
Tips for camping with families
Terrain considerations: Many campsites feature uneven, sloped terrain that may challenge families with young children. At Mary Smith Campground, "You do have to do a light hike up the the campsite, cause the sites are sloped. It's not bad though."
Water safety planning: Philpot Picnic Area provides creek access but parents should supervise children closely. One visitor described it as "a great little spot never too many people here nice and quiet lots of forest around it good for hiking."
Wildlife awareness: Trinity County camping areas have active wildlife populations including bears and deer. Families should observe proper food storage protocols and teach children about maintaining safe distances from wild animals.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. A Mary Smith camper advised, "We had the campground to ourselves as they hadn't put up the glamping tents yet. We set our tents up on the platforms and had a great view of the lake... Birds and frogs were in abundance."
Tips from RVers
Road condition research: Forest service roads leading to tent camping areas often present challenges for RVs. At Slide Creek Campground, access roads require careful navigation as they lead through remote sections of Trinity County.
Limited hookup options: Most sites near Hayfork lack RV hookups and dump stations. RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks, prepared for boondocking conditions.
Size restrictions: Smaller rigs fare better at these primitive sites. One Big Bar camper noted the area is "Pretty basic...can't camp here just a cool spot to park with a little bit of river access and some park benches."
Alternative campgrounds: RVers requiring more amenities should consider larger established campgrounds outside the immediate Hayfork area, as most local sites primarily accommodate tent camping.
