The best waterside camping near Shasta Lake

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Spanning 30,000 acres, Northern California’s Shasta Lake is the largest man-made lake in the state. With more than 360 miles of winding and forested shoreline, dotted with hundreds of protected inlets, coves, and bays, it’s a boater’s paradise. Houseboats are especially popular, but all manner of watercraft can be found here, along with numerous boat ramps, marinas, and service docks. Fishing and water sports are also big draws. More than 30 developed, dispersed, and group campgrounds around the lake’s three major arms offer plenty of options for campers to enjoy the water and scenic views of snow-capped Mount Shasta nearby.

95% (1.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Shasta Lake

Swimming hole up Kosk Creek. "Deliciously cool" on a hot day.

2. Camp Stoney Meadows

100%
(353)
35mi from Shasta Lake · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Big Bend, CA
Our 120 remote acres are adjacent to Shasta Trinity National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Range between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta in Northern California. It's a working ranch with tree farms, animals, hydroelectric power, sawmill, gardens, orchards, creeks, springs, trails, and our camp alongside Kosk Creek. We're 54 miles from Redding off of 299E, (about 1-1/2 hour drive). DO NOT TAKE ROAD 11 FROM THE NORTH, IT IS CLOSED! PIease try to ignore the "car art" in the Pit River Tribe's Rancheria as you're coming here. Drive right through it, it's no reflection on us. The last mile or so of the road here can be pretty rough, but on arrival, you'll know it's worth the trip! No Cell phone service available here, so it's the perfect opportunity to unplug. We do have a land line up at the house in case of an emergency. Also, if you really need it, WiFi is available at the house.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night

Spanning 30,000 acres, Northern California’s Shasta Lake is the largest man-made lake in the state. With more than 360 miles of winding and forested shoreline, dotted with hundreds of protected inlets, coves, and bays, it’s a boater’s paradise. Houseboats are especially popular, but all manner of watercraft can be found here, along with numerous boat ramps, marinas, and service docks. Fishing and water sports are also big draws. More than 30 developed, dispersed, and group campgrounds around the lake’s three major arms offer plenty of options for campers to enjoy the water and scenic views of snow-capped Mount Shasta nearby.

95% (1.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Shasta Lake

Swimming hole up Kosk Creek. "Deliciously cool" on a hot day.

2. Camp Stoney Meadows

100%
(353)
35mi from Shasta Lake · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Big Bend, CA
Our 120 remote acres are adjacent to Shasta Trinity National Forest in the beautiful Cascade Range between Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta in Northern California. It's a working ranch with tree farms, animals, hydroelectric power, sawmill, gardens, orchards, creeks, springs, trails, and our camp alongside Kosk Creek. We're 54 miles from Redding off of 299E, (about 1-1/2 hour drive). DO NOT TAKE ROAD 11 FROM THE NORTH, IT IS CLOSED! PIease try to ignore the "car art" in the Pit River Tribe's Rancheria as you're coming here. Drive right through it, it's no reflection on us. The last mile or so of the road here can be pretty rough, but on arrival, you'll know it's worth the trip! No Cell phone service available here, so it's the perfect opportunity to unplug. We do have a land line up at the house in case of an emergency. Also, if you really need it, WiFi is available at the house.
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$45
 / night

Public campgrounds near Shasta Lake

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping near Shasta Lake guide

Where to go

Sacramento River Arm

With access from Interstate 5, the Sacramento River Arm is home to several private RV parks and more than a half dozen forest service campgrounds. Right by the town of Lakehead, the aptly named Lakeshore East Campground offers sites for tents, RVs, and yurts, while nearby Antlers Campground sits on a bluff overlooking the lake. Several dispersed campgrounds, including Beehive Point, Gregory Beach, and Salt Creek, sit along the shoreline. Boaters can head to the Gooseneck Cove Boat-in Campground, while groups have options at Gregory Creek and Nelson Point.

McCloud River Arm

Right off Interstate 5 and near the access point for the Lake Shasta Caverns, the year-round Bailey Cove Campground is a popular option, and offers its own boat ramp. Enjoy great lake views from the Hirz Bay Campground further up the river. The McCloud River Arm is a great destination for groups, with several group campgrounds located here, including at Hirz Bay, Dekkas Rock, Moore Creek, and Pine Point. Boaters can stay at the Greens Creek Boat-in Campground.

Pit River Arm

The Pit River Arm is home to two of the four boat-in campgrounds on the lake, including Arbuckle Flat and popular Ski Island, which can sometimes be accessed from Mariners Point Group campgrounds when the lake level is low. Just a few miles away from the Jones Valley Boat Ramp, the Lower and Upper Jones Valley campgrounds are great options for boaters, while the Jones Valley Inlet Dispersed Campground lets campers stay along the shoreline.