Camp ObserverHirz Bay
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Gilman Road Exit off of Interstate 5
Lakehead, CA 96051
Lakehead, CA 96051
Camp site features
Across 47 camp sites:
- Pets allowed: all 47 sites
- Longest rig: 50 ft
- Largest party: 16 people
Fees
If the reservation was made through recreation.gov please call 1-877-444-6777 to make a refund request. Refunds must be requested no later than 14 days before your scheduled arrival date for a full refund (excluding recreation.gov fee’s).
Reservation Fee: For some facilities, an additional reservation fee is charged. This additional non-refundable fee is $10.00 for the call center and online reservations.
Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for cash payments will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. For cash or check refunds please call us at 530-275-8113. Please Note! Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure the Recreation.gov will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates and sites (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be canceled and all fees paid will be refunded.
Refunds for Naturally Occurring Events: Refunds will not be issued for naturally occurring events like rain, snow, wind, smoke, extreme temperature, low lake level, etc.
If you are requesting a refund for a walk-up site, please contact the host on-site or call us 530-275-8113. All refunds must be approved and issued through our office or processed though Recreation.gov.
Directions
From Redding, CA, remain on I-5 to Gilman Road. (From the north, take Salt
Creek exit to Gilman Road). Take Gilman Road east for 11 miles to entrance
of Hirz Bay.
Stay Limit
Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Marcey R
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed 22 days ago
We had booked 2 nights here as part of a two week road trip in our RV. When we arrived, our reserved and paid for space was occupied by two old hatchbacks. The space across from us was occupied with approximately 8 adults listening to loud music. I asked them if they knew where the camp host space was. They said there was none. They said the vehicles were theirs and I asked them to move them and then we got settled into the space normally. There were substantial trash and animal droppings to deal with as we parked.
The loudness continued all night. Not just from our neighbors but many spots we also hear firecrackers (in mid July).. Also the trash and filth and plastic bottles, bags, and cans left behind were more than we were willing to pick up other than for the safety of our two leashed dogs.
We did enjoy the trail down to the lake. And the secure trash bins. And lovely views and wildlife. We never did see a camp host. At one point I saw a white truck drive through that looked like a third party management venue however they just drove through and neither of the truck’s occupants looked up or around. Another positive was that we didn’t get overrun by unleashed dogs. Mainly it was just a lot of people gathering at campsites that were tenting and not considerate of quiet hours.
We left a night early. We won’t stay at this campground again.
Vanessa W
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
No toilet paper in bathrooms and the lights didn’t work in bathroom, arrived with site littered with trash, people loudly partying until 3am with no host involvement, hiking trail unmanaged and poison oak everywhere, and no easy access to water. Pictures are deceiving. Drove to another cove 30 min away and had fun. Would have loved to have everything we needed at one time place.
Wendy C
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Good campsite but trash was in our campfire ring when we arrived. There were two clogged toilets in the men's rooms for several days and some loose trash in a few campsite. Check the lake conditions before you go. This was simply Mother Nature but lake was full of algae so we skipped kayaking with our dog.
Angel Q
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Stayed in site#39. For the most part my stay was great, but the only real issue I had was the bear box not locking. A bear came through my camp around 12 am and took some items. Hopefully they get the lock fixed, otherwise it was a great place to stay and hope to be back again some time.
Hailee A
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
The campground is decent however no one comes daily or even every other day to clean and stock bathrooms or take out the trash. I was there over a holiday weekend and according to the cleaning checklist, they came the day before we arrived and didn’t come again for 3 more days. During that time, the woman’s restroom had been out of toilet paper and the light never worked and there was never any soap. Based on what some of the men were saying, all they did was stock toilet paper since the toilet in the men’s room was clogged the entire long weekend (4 days) and it was clearly not cleaned. There are also no dumpsters on the entire campground, so the trash cans throughout the campground were always overflowing. I did see/hear several campers complaining about getting a parking ticket, so clearly they had time to come write tickets but not clean the bathrooms or take trash out. The cost for the sites was not worth the experience considering there are other campgrounds that get cleaned and checked daily, have showers, dumpsters, etc. for the same price. Maybe it’s nicer on a non-holiday weekend.
Alan L
Loop:Area Hirz Bay
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
We have been camping here for the last 3 years and we enjoy it! Booked site #27 very spacious and close to the lake/ bathrooms and water spigot
