Hirz Bay

Very nice campground with sites set a a decent distance from each other.

Very nice campground with sites set a a decent distance from each other.

First the positives - We stayed for two weeks and enjoyed the clean campgrounds, much better management than last year. Trash picked up from the trash cans regularly and bathrooms were stocked on schedule. Weekdays were quiet and peaceful. We used the nearby boat ramp almost every day. There are bears and it is a good practice to keep bear spray with you always. We did have 6 out of the 14 days that the days hit above 100 degrees. The only place to be during the hot hours is out on the lake. The rest of the days were wonderful in the low 90's and drop down to the low 60's at night. Last year we did the Shasta Caverns which is great. Great scenery and the nighttime star show is fantastic.
Come prepared and read the rules and bulletins at the entrance. DO NOT leave trash bags outside or near the outside bear trash cans. The bears will rip it the trash apart and spread it all over. Leave bags inside the bathroom if the trash cans are full or pack it out. Do not leave anything with a scent outside during the evening. Leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrive. Don't leave trash in the fire pit!!
The negatives - People who are not campers but come to party and ignore the quiet hours (10pm - 6am). We had some people directly across from us getting drunk, playing loud music, yelling and really destroying the wonderful camping experience. Don't run generators all night and keep your dogs quiet and on a leash. Seriously folks, be considerate of your camping neighbors. Keep the music to reasonable levels and turn it off at 10pm.

First the positives - We stayed for two weeks and enjoyed the clean campgrounds, much better management than last year. Trash picked up from the trash cans regularly and bathrooms were stocked on schedule. Weekdays were quiet and peaceful. We used the nearby boat ramp almost every day. There are bears and it is a good practice to keep bear spray with you always. We did have 6 out of the 14 days that the days hit above 100 degrees. The only place to be during the hot hours is out on the lake. The rest of the days were wonderful in the low 90's and drop down to the low 60's at night. Last year we did the Shasta Caverns which is great. Great scenery and the nighttime star show is fantastic.
Come prepared and read the rules and bulletins at the entrance. DO NOT leave trash bags outside or near the outside bear trash cans. The bears will rip it the trash apart and spread it all over. Leave bags inside the bathroom if the trash cans are full or pack it out. Do not leave anything with a scent outside during the evening. Leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrive. Don't leave trash in the fire pit!!
The negatives - People who are not campers but come to party and ignore the quiet hours (10pm - 6am). We had some people directly across from us getting drunk, playing loud music, yelling and really destroying the wonderful camping experience. Don't run generators all night and keep your dogs quiet and on a leash. Seriously folks, be considerate of your camping neighbors. Keep the music to reasonable levels and turn it off at 10pm.

Great views from this campsite of the lake.

Great views from this campsite of the lake.

Great campground right near the lake. The facilities are nice and the area is beautiful.

Great campground right near the lake. The facilities are nice and the area is beautiful.

I enjoy Hirz Bay campground especially in May. Mostly one avoids the scorching summer heat. I have camped on the Sacramento, Pit, Squaw Creek, and McCloud arms of the lake. They each have their own personality. Hirz Bay campground is far enough away from the noise of the Union Pacific Railroad and Interstate five, so one enjoys relative quiet. Well, there are those loud weekend parties to deal with, but that is an acceptable part of camping, and our trailer is sound insulated. I have also spent time camping at the McCloud Bridge campground: also quite.
Hirz Bay campground is well maintained. The staff is efficient and friendly.

This year (2024) the campground was regularly attended by a pesky adolescent bear. It did some minor damage to a pickup and torn up some tents. As far as I know, the bear only went after food that was not in a bear box or otherwise well protected. The bear visited one family who had a small child in a tent. A bear and a toddler is not a good combination. There is plenty of information provided by camp officials about bears and food. I guess people have to learn the hard way.

I enjoy Hirz Bay campground especially in May. Mostly one avoids the scorching summer heat. I have camped on the Sacramento, Pit, Squaw Creek, and McCloud arms of the lake. They each have their own personality. Hirz Bay campground is far enough away from the noise of the Union Pacific Railroad and Interstate five, so one enjoys relative quiet. Well, there are those loud weekend parties to deal with, but that is an acceptable part of camping, and our trailer is sound insulated. I have also spent time camping at the McCloud Bridge campground: also quite.
Hirz Bay campground is well maintained. The staff is efficient and friendly.

This year (2024) the campground was regularly attended by a pesky adolescent bear. It did some minor damage to a pickup and torn up some tents. As far as I know, the bear only went after food that was not in a bear box or otherwise well protected. The bear visited one family who had a small child in a tent. A bear and a toddler is not a good combination. There is plenty of information provided by camp officials about bears and food. I guess people have to learn the hard way.