Bailey Cove Campground
McCloud Arm · Shasta-Cascade · 40.8253, -122.3167
The prettiest water in the whole Shasta system, with a shaded oak-and-pine loop tucked above a paved two-lane ramp. Small-rig heaven, big-rig headache.
Quick specs
- Length limit
- 30 ft
- Cell signal
- Boat launch
- Paved multi-lane ramp
- Shade score
- 5/5
- Season
- Mid-May through mid-September
- Elevation
- 1,090 ft
| Hookups | Dry Camping (No Hookups) |
|---|---|
| Amenities | Boat Ramp, Shade Canopy, Dog Friendly, Flush Toilets, Bear Lockers |
| Booking | Recreation.gov |
Conditions right now
Lake level, forecast, alerts, fishing and the nearest public camera for Bailey Cove Campground. Pulled from state and federal feeds and refreshed every morning.
Updated Aug 29, 12:54 AM PDT
Lake level
992 ft
74.9 ft below full pool
58.4% of capacity
The lake dropped about 4.6 ft over the past week. At 992 ft the ramp here is effectively out of service — the pavement ends above the waterline. Centimudi at Shasta Dam launches the lowest on the lake.
Gage reading for 2026-8-28
Source: California Data Exchange Center, Shasta Dam gage (SHA)
Weather
- OvernightClear57°F
- SaturdaySunny85°F
- Saturday NightClear57°F
- SundaySunny88°F
Clear, with a low around 57. North wind around 2 mph.
Source: National Weather Service
Fire & weather alerts
No active National Weather Service alerts and no CAL FIRE incident within 45 miles as of this morning's check. Fire restrictions can still be in force, so read the forest order before you light anything.
Current Shasta-Trinity fire restrictionsSources: National Weather Service active alerts and CAL FIRE incident feed
Fishing report
McCloud Arm fishing report
Summer pattern on the McCloud Arm. Bass are off the banks and holding on the first drop — points, submerged brush and the shaded side of rock walls hold fish through the middle of the day. Get the topwater work done before the ski boats wake up, then go to a dropshot or a small jig on the same spots. Trollers are running downriggers well below the surface for kokanee and rainbows; the fish are stacked wherever the temperature breaks. The lake is sitting near 992 ft, so shoreline structure that held fish last month may be high and dry now.
- What is biting
- Spotted and smallmouth bass, kokanee, rainbow trout
- Where in the water column
- Bass 15–35 ft on structure, kokanee and trout 45–90 ft on the thermocline
Built from the Shasta Dam water temperature and elevation gages plus seasonal patterns on this arm. Reported 2026-08-29.
Nearest public camera
Obrien · I-5
About 1.1 mi from the campground — useful for road surface, smoke and haze, not for checking your site.
Local deep dive
Local insider tip
Sites 5, 6 and 7 sit right above the emerald McCloud water. Arrive Thursday morning in July — locals grab them by noon Friday.
Access road & clearance
Paved all the way from O'Brien exit. One tight 15 mph switchback with a low oak limb around 12'6" — trim-height rigs should stay center-lane.
Best loop for big rigs
Anything over 30 ft will struggle. The upper loop has the only two backable pads that swallow a 32 ft fifth wheel, and turnaround is at the ramp lot.
Nearby things to do & rentals
Sponsored partners
Lake Shasta Caverns Tour
Boat + bus + cave combo, 8 minutes from the campground turnoff.
Book ticketsMcCloud Arm Pontoon Rental
24 ft pontoons delivered to the Bailey Cove ramp.
Check availabilityGuided Spotted Bass Charter
Half-day charters that launch right below your site.
See charter datesRelated guides
