A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Bailey Cove

Forest Service campground in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta County, California. 1,067 feet. 10.1 miles from Shasta Lake.

Managed by
Forest Service Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Elevation
1,067 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
7 7 standard non-electric
Longest rig
45 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Shasta County

Overview

Bailey Cove Campground is nestled in a forested area on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. The site is a popular destination due to its convenient access from I-5 and the adjacent public boat ramp.

The area surrounding the campground offers an abundance of recreational and sightseeing opportunities.

Recreation

The campground provides access to the 3-mile Bailey Cove Trail. This trail hugs the shoreline and is open to both hikers and mountain bikers.

Lake Shasta attracts anglers due to its wide variety of fish. Boaters can access the lake via the adjacent boat ramp, and boat rentals are available nearby.

Facilities

Each of the 7 sites has a tent pad, picnic table, raised fire ring, bear boxes, and paved parking spur. Brick pavers have been used to provide added accessibility. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided.

There is a day use area adjoined to the campground and boat ramp, which provides parking and restrooms and pic-nic tables with bbq's and hiking trails.

Natural Features

Shasta-Trinity is the largest national forest in California with a diverse landscape encompassing five wilderness areas, hundreds of mountain lakes and 6,278 miles of streams and rivers.

Lake Shasta sits at an elevation of 1,067 feet, with 365 miles of shoreline punctuated by steep mountains blanketed in manzanita and evergreens. A snow-capped Mount Shasta, the second-tallest mountain in the Cascade Range, looms in the distance.

This area boasts abundant wildlife. Osprey nests are often seen in the area around Bailey Cove Campground.

Nearby Attractions

Lake Shasta Caverns are also located on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake in an area know as the Grey Rocks. Tours are given daily at this privately owned facility.

At an elevation of 3,500 feet, the nearby Hirz Mountain Lookout offers panoramic views of Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen and the surrounding area.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • water sports

The land around Bailey Cove

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.