Fir Cove Campground
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.
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.
Need to Know
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.
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.
Contact Information
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741 State Hwy 36 Bridgeville CA 95526
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 707-574-6233
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
Available Campsites
- Site 14, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop FIR COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
