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Fir Cove Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Bridgeville · California · Six Rivers National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Six Rivers National Forest |
| Location | Bridgeville · California · Six Rivers National Forest · 40.34417, -123.40306 · Map |
| Sites | 14 public sites counted from the federal listing — 14 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 14 sites Water hookups at 0 of 14 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 14 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 14 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 45 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 8 sites · 30 ft: 6 sites · 35 ft: 4 sites · 40 ft: 2 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Season Dates: 5/21/2021 - 9/13/2021 Daily rate $12/night Extra Vehicle $5/night Fee is due at entrance kiosk Cash or Check made payable to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). |
| Check-in / out | In — · Out 2:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 14 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 7 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 707-574-6233 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-07-20.
From the official listing
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.
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. 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.
Directions, from the listing
From Highway 101
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.
From Highway 5 Head west on Highway 36 at Red Bluff for 2 hours until you see the sign for Ruth Lake at Mad River Road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceForest Glen Guard Station
5 mi straight-line · WEAVERVILLE CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMad River Campground
5 mi straight-line · Bridgeville CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServicePhilpot Picnic Area
14 mi straight-line · CaliforniaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBig Slide Campground
23 mi straight-line · California
Trip Card — Fir Cove Campground
Bridgeville · California · Six Rivers National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Bridgeville · California · Six Rivers National Forest |
| Fees | Season Dates: 5/21/2021 - 9/13/2021 Daily rate $12/night Extra Vehicle $5/night Fee is due at entrance kiosk Cash or Check made payable to USDA (United States Department of… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 45 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 14 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233218 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.