Fir Cove Campground

FIR COVE CAMPGROUND

Part of Six Rivers National Forest

Overview

Fir Cove Campground is located on beautiful eastern shore of Ruth Lake, a 13,800-acre jewel situated in the thickly forested mountains of northern California. A variety of recreational opportunities abound.

Fir Cove is one of three Forest Service campgrounds in the area, and one of two on the lake. Bailey Canyon Campground is the companion to Fir Cove. It is located east of Fir Cove and is first-come, first-serve.

Facilities

The campground offers several tent-only and multiple combined sites, many of them overlooking the lake. All sites are within a short walk from Ruth Lake. Sites 11 and 12 are companion sites.

Tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as well as accessible vault toilets and drinking water.

Natural Features

The campground straddles a seasonal creek that empties into Ruth Lake. It is nestled in a mixture of mature Douglas fir, oak, pine and cedar trees at an elevation of about 2,700 feet.

The Six Rivers National Forest lies east of Eureka in northwestern California, stretching southward from the Oregon border for about 140 miles. U.S. 101, the famed "Redwood Highway," parallels the inland Forest along the coastline. The Forest is just east of the Redwood National Park.

Recreation

The lake provides boating, water skiing, fishing and countless other recreation opportunities.

Anglers can enjoy a catch of small and largemouth bass, catfish, rainbow trout, Kokonee salmon, bluegill and crappie.

Forested peaks and valleys offer ample opportunities for hunting, hiking and off-road vehicle use. The Bailey Vista and Lakeview Trailheads start from Fir Cove, and the Picket Peak Trailhead starts from Bailey Canyon.

Important Notices

  • 2021 Season will be first come, first serve. 

  • Extra vehicles are $5 per day
  • Boat inspections for quagga mussels and other aquatic invasive species are required at the marina; an additional fee applies
  • Click here for more information about Six Rivers National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.

Available Activities

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
  • WATER SPORTS - Tubing
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • BOATING - Boat Rental

Directions

<p><strong>From Highway 101 </strong></p> <p>When traveling north on Highway 101, do not turn off at the Zenia Road exit at Garberville. This will result in a 2-hour delay driving on winding back roads. Instead, continue north until you reach the Hwy 36 exit near Fortuna. Head east for approximately an hour until you reach the town of Mad River. After you cross the bridge at the Mad River, look for the Mad River Road turn-off on the right. The sign will say Ruth Lake. Continue for 20 minutes to reach Fir Cove campground.</p> <p><br><strong>From Highway 5 </strong><br>Head west on Highway 36 at Red Bluff for 2 hours until you see the sign for Ruth Lake at Mad River Road.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 707-574-6233

741 State Hwy 36
Bridgeville, CA 95526

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery