Preacher Meadow
Preacher Meadow Campground is located on Swift Creek, it has a total 44 single sites with an average back in around 16ft. The campground has vault restrooms and no water. There are picnic tables and fire rings with grills on top located at each site. The campground is a horse camp and very primitive. You must also occupy the area the day you pay for it, no advance payments. There is also a Iron Ranger on site that you can pay with cash or check.
Sites are first-come, first-served. Recreation.gov lists this campground for paying on site, and you may be able to pay with the Scan and Pay feature of its app.
More like this: first-come in California · pets allowed in California
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 45 |
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Scan & Pay: A convenience fee is charged for use of the Scan & Pay option |
A public boat ramp is located approximately 6 miles away at Bowerman (dependent on water level).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 27 to Sept 8 |
| Forest | Shasta-Trinity National Forest |
| Fees | $20/day, $10/day per additional vehicle |
Weather by month
Getting there
Preacher Meadow Campground is located 26 miles north of Weaverville. Going north on Hwy 3 follow for about 26 miles campground is on the left. Campground can also be mapped via google maps.
| Coordinates | 40.9631° N, 122.7305° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for cash payments will be issued a check or cash refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. 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.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedFive-6 Rx
17 mi from the campground
- PrescribedFive-7 Rx
19 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShf Rx
37 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSrf 2026 Rx Implementation
48 mi from the campground · 500 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Trinity Outdoors ↗ | 19.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Cousin Gary RV Center ↗ | 28.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Preacher Meadow Campground - Shasta Trinity National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
- 5.4 mi
- 8.4 mi
- 8.5 miClark Springs Public Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 13.2 miBigflat Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.7 miSwift Creek ↗8.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.9 miDeer Flat4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.7 miGranite Lake ↗6.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
- inShasta-Trinity National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,715,499 acres
- 3.7 miTrinity Alps Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 537,357 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Bowerman BarnBuilding · Trinity Center · 4.8 mi
Natural features
Trinity Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in California, it has an elevation around 2,387' with around 145 miles of shoreline. Trinity is made up of 3 arms: Papose, Buckeye and Stuart Fork Arm. The Water Volume of Trinity Lake: 2,447,650 acre-ft. There are a variety of coves and arms perfect for fishing or a quiet picnic on the water. The main body of the lake has plenty of room for water sports like wakeboarding or tubing.
Recreation
Trinity offers wholesome memories, perfect for families, adventures and everything in-between. There are multiple hiking trails and rivers making it the perfect destination for exploration. Popular activities on Trinity Lake include boating, fishing, sailing and water skiing. Different Species of fish in Trinity Lake include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, catfish, kokanee salmon, Chinook salmon. Bass fishing – dredger piles near the head of the lake is the most promising locations. Fishing near the shoreline during spring (March-June) is best. Trout fishing – found year-round throughout the lake but best during spring where they can be found nearly anywhere. During the summer months trout tend to stay near the mouths of the major tributaries.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Preacher Meadow?
No. Preacher Meadow is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Preacher Meadow?
Scan & Pay: A convenience fee is charged for use of the Scan & Pay option
Source: Forest Service
What time is check-in at Preacher Meadow?
Check-in 03:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.
Source: Forest Service
Is Preacher Meadow open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 27 to Sept 8.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Preacher Meadow have?
45 sites, including 45 standard sites without power.
Source: Forest Service
Are pets allowed at Preacher Meadow?
Yes, pets are allowed at Preacher Meadow. Leash rules apply.
Source: Forest Service
What is there to do at Preacher Meadow?
Trinity offers wholesome memories, perfect for families, adventures and everything in-between. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Preacher Meadow is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Alpine View Campground (5.6 mi), Hayward Flat (6.5 mi), and Clark Springs Campground (8.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby