Camping spots near Lakehead, California surround Shasta Lake at elevations ranging from 1,060 to 1,500 feet. Summer temperatures often exceed 95°F from June through August with overnight lows around 60°F. Water levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, affecting shoreline camping access and boat launch availability at most Lakehead campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing from shore: At Beehive Point Shoreline Campground, campers can access various fishing spots along the shoreline when water levels permit. "Easy to move about. Great for water sports powered or canoes and paddle boards," notes Paul T., who found the area convenient for multiple water activities.
Crag hiking: Located 30 minutes from Lakehead, Castle Crags State Park Campground offers challenging trails with significant elevation gain. "The top section of the trail is very exposed and there is no water, so make sure you bring enough. The trail is steep and requires a bit of scrambling over rocks," explains Michael I., who recommends starting early during summer months.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campers report bear sightings in the Lakehead camping areas, particularly at Hirz Bay Campground. "Around 4am a black bear (maybe 500lbs?) came through our site and pulled on the bear box and kept it moving to check neighboring sites," reports jojo B., who recommends bringing bear spray and using the provided bear boxes.
What campers like
Off-season solitude: Many Lakehead area campgrounds empty out during fall and spring. "We stayed here for 4 nights mid week in early May and mostly had the whole place to ourselves. There were a few day use visitors, and 2 neighbors who stayed one night each," writes a visitor about Hirz Bay Campground.
Waterfront access: Direct lake access represents the main draw for many campers. "The campground itself is wooded and very pretty," and "we scored ourselves a really cool spot right along the water," notes Laura M. about her experience at Beehive Point, though she cautions about weekend crowds.
Basic amenities: Most campers appreciate the simplicity of Lakehead area campgrounds. "Bathrooms were clean and stocked with the necessities," reports Rebecca L. about Castle Crags State Park, while others mentioned appreciating the bear boxes, picnic tables, and flat camping spots throughout the area.
What you should know
Transportation noise: Multiple campgrounds in the Lakehead area experience noise from nearby Interstate 5 and train tracks. "Several train pass each night and you will hear them," warns one camper about Castle Crags State Park. Another notes, "we had to sleep with earplugs to not hear traffic which is unnerving."
Wildlife concerns: Bear activity is frequently reported around Antlers RV Park and Campground, with one long-term visitor stating, "They got into the trash pretty regularly though. It was very evident in the morning when the cans would be knocked over and rummaged through."
Water level variability: Shoreline access changes dramatically based on season and drought conditions. "We stayed here a few years ago and the water was so low that we literally could not reach it, even after a long walk down, it just became too rocky," reports Laura M. about Beehive Point.
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: When camping with children near Lakehead, be aware of specific hazards. "If you happen to have pets be cautious there is a lot of broken glass everywhere, my dog had several cuts on her pads," warns Rosa P. about Beehive Point Shoreline Campground.
Insect preparation: Pack bug spray for mosquitoes, particularly near water. "The mosquitoes were bad when the sun started to go down but wasn't a problem with a fire, thermacel and bug spray," shares Mandi W., who camped with children at Ellery Creek.
Timing considerations: School breaks significantly impact campground crowding. "We were incredibly happy this time around that the water levels were so high. It was beautiful. We scored ourselves a really cool spot right along the water on a Thursday afternoon...But. It was spring break. And just about an hour after we arrived, so did everyone else," shares Laura M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Mountain Gate RV Park, RVers recommend specific site areas. "We're traveling in a 40ft RV for reference though they do also have tent spaces... The spaces are all in the woods with mostly shade, though there are some that get more sunlight than others," notes Adam.
Utility planning: RV hookup quality varies significantly among Lakehead area campgrounds. "Full hookups, wifi, cable, showers, laundry, etc. There's a cell tower on the way in to the campground. You can expect two to three bars of LTE from both AT&T and Verizon," reports a visitor about Antlers RV Park, making it suitable for digital nomads.
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