Jones Valley Inlet sits on the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake without designated sites — you claim your patch of shoreline and make it work. The setup is bare-bones but the location delivers: direct lake access for boating and fishing, with Mount Shasta's snow-capped peak visible in the distance.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Primitive
- 💵Fee per Night
- Free
- 📍GPS
- 40.72878, -122.23006
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
This is shoreline camping without the structure. No numbered sites or picnic tables — just find your spot along the water and set up. The area provides portable toilets and trash service during the main season, but that's where the amenities end. You're essentially dispersed camping with a fee attached, which means flexibility in choosing your exact location but also means dealing with uneven ground and whatever natural features come with your chosen patch of shore.
What to Know
First-come, first-serve only — no reservations possible. You must be physically present to pay and claim your spot, and you can't pay in advance for future nights. The recreation.gov app offers scan-and-pay, or use the iron ranger for cash and checks. Fees run mid-May through mid-September; the rest of the year it's free but you're on your own for trash and facilities.
Water levels dictate much of the experience here. When Shasta Lake is full, you can moor boats informally right at your camp. When it's low, you'll be walking across exposed lakebed to reach water. The public boat ramp at Jones Valley proper sits about 2 miles away, though its accessibility depends on those same water levels.
On the Water
Lake Shasta's 365 miles of shoreline offer serious fishing variety — trout, catfish, Chinook salmon, crappie, bluegill, bass, even white sturgeon. The Pit River Arm stays popular with water skiers and jet skiers, so expect company during peak season. The steep surrounding mountains, covered in manzanita and evergreens, create a dramatic backdrop that's quintessential Northern California.