Hirz Bay Group 2 delivers what group camping should be: space to spread out without losing the forest feel. Tucked into oak and manzanita along Shasta Lake's McCloud Arm, it handles up to 80 people while keeping the parking chaos separate from where you actually want to hang out.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 40.86667, -122.25306
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The setup here makes sense for groups that actually want to spend time together. Nine picnic tables cluster around a large open fire ring and pedestal grill, with two additional fireplaces offering backup cooking options. Twenty-three paved parking spots sit separate from the camping area — meaning cars stay put while people move freely through the oak and manzanita canopy.
Bear-proof lockers handle food storage, and two water hydrants keep you from hauling jugs from town. Vault toilets round out the basics.
The Water
Shasta Lake's 365 miles of shoreline start just outside camp, and the Hirz Bay boat launch sits a half-mile away. The lake's 1,067-foot elevation keeps it accessible while the steep, forested mountains rising from the water create actual scenery worth looking at.
Fishing runs deep here: trout, catfish, Chinook salmon, crappie, bluegill, white sturgeon, brown bullhead, and bass. Resorts on the lake rent watercraft and sell fuel, handling the logistics if your group didn't trailer boats up.
Nearby
The 2-mile Hirz Bay Trail starts near camp for groups that mix hikers with lake loungers. More ambitious types can drive to Hirz Mountain Lookout at 3,500 feet for views spanning Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, and the surrounding terrain.
Lake Shasta Caverns operate daily tours from the Grey Rocks area on the same McCloud Arm, offering a break from sun and water when the group needs variety.