Gregory Beach spreads along the Sacramento River Arm of Shasta Lake without designated sites — just choose your spot along the shoreline. This first-come, first-served dispersed area runs as a fee campground with basic services from mid-May through mid-September, then reverts to free dispersed camping through winter and spring.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 40.88490, -122.37051
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The shoreline setting defines everything here. Without formal sites, you're looking for a level spot that works for your setup, whether that's a tent near the water or an RV positioned for lake access. The area provides portable toilets and trash service during the fee season, but that's the extent of amenities. When water levels cooperate, informal mooring keeps your boat close to camp.
The closest public boat ramp sits 6 miles away at Antlers, though lake levels determine its usability. Water levels also dictate how much shoreline you'll have to work with — Shasta's 365 miles of shoreline expand and contract with snowpack and drawdown cycles.
What to Know
Payment works on the honor system through an iron ranger (cash or check) or the Recreation.gov app's scan-and-pay feature. You must be physically present to claim your spot and occupy it the same day you pay — no advance reservations or payments allowed.
The fee season typically runs mid-May through mid-September. Outside those months, the area operates as free dispersed camping with pack-in, pack-out rules and no services. Winter access depends on weather and road conditions.
The Fishing
Shasta Lake's fish population reads like a greatest hits collection: rainbow and brown trout, three species of bass, Chinook salmon, catfish, and more. Spring trout fishing peaks on the McCloud Arm north of Hirz Bay and along the Sacramento arm, with fish moving deeper as summer progresses. Bass fishing stays productive year-round but peaks in spring and early summer in shallow water. Summer catfishing heats up during nighttime sessions on the main lake arms.