Bridge Camp (CA)
Shasta-Trinity National Forest, CABridge Camp sits along Staurt Forks Creek in a remote corner of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, designed specifically for equestrian camping. With just 10 sites and vault toilets, it's bare-bones by design — the kind of place where horses get equal billing with their riders.
Campground Details
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 40.87288, -122.91536
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The 10 sites here average 16 feet for backing in trailers, each outfitted with picnic tables and fire rings topped with grills. Water spigots are available seasonally, though you'll want to confirm availability before arrival. The campground's remote location means you're trading amenities for solitude — this isn't the place for elaborate camp setups or large RVs.
Being positioned on Staurt Forks Creek puts you in one of Trinity Lake's three main arms, where the reservoir's 145 miles of shoreline offer plenty of room to spread out. At 2,387 feet elevation, the setting feels more alpine lake than Central Valley reservoir.
What to Know
Bridge Camp operates strictly first-come, first-served — no reservations, no holding sites with advance payment. You must physically arrive to claim and pay for your spot the day you plan to use it. Payment options include the recreation.gov app's Scan & Pay feature or the on-site iron ranger that accepts cash and checks.
The nearest boat ramp sits 8 miles away at Minersville, though launch availability depends on water levels throughout the season.
On the Water
Trinity Lake spans 2.4 million acre-feet when full, making it one of California's largest reservoirs. The main body handles water sports like wakeboarding and tubing, while the various coves and arms offer quieter spots for fishing or waterside picnics.
Fishing runs the gamut from bass to trout to salmon. Bass fishing peaks in spring along shorelines, with dredger piles near the lake's head producing consistently. Trout stay active year-round but concentrate near tributary mouths during summer months. The lake holds smallmouth and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, kokanee salmon, and Chinook salmon.