Lakehead, California provides a range of camping experiences along the shores of Shasta Lake and throughout the surrounding Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Established campgrounds like Beehive Point Shoreline, Hirz Bay, and Ellery Creek offer access to the lake with varying levels of amenities. The area supports multiple accommodation types including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals at locations such as Lakehead Campground & RV Park and Shasta Lake RV Resort. Most campgrounds in this region are situated within wooded settings that provide shade and natural surroundings while maintaining proximity to water recreation.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability near Lakehead, with many campgrounds operating only from April through September. Hirz Bay Campground typically opens April 1st and closes September 30th, while Ellery Creek operates from mid-May to early September. Winter conditions and reduced visitation lead to closures at many sites during the off-season. Facilities vary considerably across the area, with some locations offering full hookups, showers, and dump stations, while others provide only basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas around the lake. A review noted, "This campground is situated near the Trinity Alps surrounded by beautiful mountains next to the Trinity River. It's a pretty amazing location."
Water access represents a primary draw for campers visiting the Lakehead area, with multiple campgrounds offering direct lake or river frontage. Beehive Point Shoreline Campground provides boat-in access options, allowing visitors to reach campsites directly from the water. Several campgrounds feature swimming areas, boat ramps, and fishing opportunities. The surrounding forest lands also support hiking and exploration beyond the immediate shoreline. Campers frequently mention the scenic mountain views and clear water as highlights of their stay. During periods of drought or low water levels, lake access points may require longer walks from some campgrounds. As one visitor observed, "The campground itself is wooded and very pretty," highlighting the natural setting that complements the water recreation opportunities in the area.
"Beehive point offers camping right on the waters of Shasta Lake and has absolutely amazing views. We have been up there a few times and it has rarely been busy."
"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."
$30 - $500 / night
"Found it to be nice, quiet, close to the highway buy not noisy. Office staff is very friendly and quick to answer phone/email inquiries."
"We're happy to welcome that property that is close to Lake Shasta & Mt Shasta. Set-up camp, go out and explore, then come back here for some rest. Check them out and leave them a review!"
"The owner was very nice and got us situated right away. I will definitely be coming back!"
"I went traipsing around and found my way to Shasta Lake. If you do the same, watch out for poison oak!"
$25 / night
"From our campsite we were able to walk to the trailhead and do the crags trail all the way to the top of the rocks. Would highly recommend this campground!"
"Oldest camping area is right next to I-5 (which was not there when the campground was built!). But there are newer camping sites farther away from I-5."
$30 - $60 / night
"The campground is about 30 mins from the highway, in beautiful forest and has easy access to the water. Campground was quiet, clean and empty when we were there."
"It took us 11 hours to drive there and even the little kids thought it was worth the drive. We had so much fun walking down to the lake fishing, swimming and playing with the dogs."
"Small gas station within walking distance, and a small grocery store in driving distance. 1.5 miles off the highway. Big rigs welcome."
"I say that only because it was 4th of July weekend and there was a dirty bunch around us. But even with that the park crew was great and did the best to keep things up as much as they could."
$30 / night
"Really nice campground with access to the water. I was there in mid July so it was very hot, but there is enough shade that the camp site stayed fairly cool."
"Beautiful views from our campsite and easy access to water. It was super peaceful!"
$30 - $60 / night
"At night, it was a little tough to fall asleep with trains running next to the campground and the highway noise, but other than heat and noise, we enjoyed it."
"It has all the amenities you need, along with a store, swimming pool, laundry facility, WiFi, bathrooms/showers, cabins, tent spaces, RV slots, easy access to the marina, boat launching service, boat rentals"
"Close to the mountain for skiing. Close to the lake for skiing. Nancy the manager was extremely helpful! We found this to have an old fashioned touch. Garbage facilities close by!"
"Only downside was the highway noise."
"Gas station right up the road and many access point to the lake"
GuideThis was a very nice park. Had a clean dog park that we enjoyed. Everything in the park seem like it was well kept. All of the other campers we interacted with seem very nice and courteous to each other. However outside of the park is a shady neighborhood. We went to do laundry and saw what appeared to be people doing drugs outside a hotel near by, and there were numerous homeless people wandering around.
GuideThis is almost a, “I don’t wanna share with others” kind of a spot. One of the first most breath-taking spots we’ve found with views of Mount Shasta. This place was so good, we had go back for several days just to stay. This is a stay a week worthy place.
Its elevation can make winter cold and below freezing. March 21st got to 28 degrees at night and about the 50’s during the day. April 18th got to about 40 at night and 60’s during the day. But check the weather!
The drive is easy as in any vehicle can make it. The drive is also long about 25 minutes to get from Mount Shasta the town to the turn-off spots, but there are so many spots and so few people.
We even parked for a few days and just walked up to castle lake where there are several other trails to hike.
GuideThis spot was well enough off the road to feel secluded. There’s a warning sign to be careful if going down the road in a “low clearance vehicle.” The trail is moderate difficulty but could be done in 2-wheel drive just fine; If you pull-off right away. We explored about a mile down the dirt road and the pull-offs were very minimal, NOT set the chairs out-worthy. In other words, pick the early clearings such as the big one by the pine tree or else there is not much down the trail.
We actually had moments of silence, which, but the echo of vehicles is heard probably everywhere in the Valley. The back side of Mount Shasta was beautiful and the view was great. We did have a small campfire having visited in May.
I’ve stayed at about 6 spots so far, and I rate this a 4/5. For view, seclusion, comfort, and that nice feeling of being relatively safe. I’d stay a couple nights here if I needed.
Scout10/10, no notes. Beautiful view of Shasta from the tent sites, and the owners are responsive, nice, and have a thoughtful little camp store.
GuideThis was our second visit, last one 6 years ago. Friendly staff, clean facilities, nice laundry, and lots of trees. Mostly seasonal folks staying here, but we stayed in a spot right near restrooms and laundry. Grocery store short walk away and steakhouse at end of street (short walk) . Very quiet and would return!
TravelerGreat spot with great views. 6ish sites along the road.
There is a railroad at the far end and a train passed twice during the night. Gave polar express vibes with the snow though.
Camp sites are extremely sandy and lots of dust.
GuideI have camped there for years now. Love the water the seclusion and the amazing views. Again not free. There is an area before you get to the campground gate that is free there is a big table and outhouse
GuideHad a really good time at the campground. It definitely is not free they recently raised the prices, but did no maintenance and added no amenities. The outhouse if you can call it that is barely still got walls.
ScoutNice park, convenient location, spacious Sites! Their new management is doing a great job remodeling and cleaning the park
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lakehead, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lakehead, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 234 campgrounds and RV parks near Lakehead, CA and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lakehead, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lakehead, CA is Beehive Point Shoreline Campground with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lakehead, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Lakehead, CA.
What parks are near Lakehead, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Lakehead, CA that allow camping, notably Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
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