BLM · Trinity · California

Steel Bridge Campground

Camp on the edge of the Trinity River in one of 13 tent/trailer campsites (max length 20 feet). Popular for fishing and pleasure boating alike, this clear, cold section of the river is world famous for its fly fishing. Paddlers enjoy the narrow valley with Ponderosa Pine, Douglas fir, Oaks, and Madrone trees coating the walls of the canyons. If you would like more adrenaline rush, the waters below Pigeon Point rage at class III-V for white water enthusiasts. Those interested in a more relaxing experience can enjoy the abundant camping options in the area or head for the trail with your friends, horses, or dog.

More like this: reservable in California · pets allowed in California

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Steel Bridge CampgroundTrinity River ViewEntrance SignBeach
Photos courtesy of Bureau of Land Management, BLM · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups12
Host/management1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
Site 2Back-in39PavedPartialNo / No8 / 2Yes
Site 5Back-in40PavedPartialNo / No8 / 2Yes
Site 825PartialNo / No8 / 2Yes
Site 9Back-in40PavedNo / No8 / 2Yes
Site 12Back-in12PavedNo / No8 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

The site records list sites up to 40 ft. The campground description says a 20 ft maximum.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite Site 6 is listed accessible

Camp on the edge of the Trinity River in one of 13 tent/trailer campsites. No electric, water, or sewer hookups are available. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes. A small beach is found near the campground. A campground host is generally on site.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Steel Bridge Campground30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 6.68 inches of precipitation, 2.2 inches of snowFebruary: 5.69 inches of precipitation, 1.3 inches of snowMarch: 5.01 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowApril: 2.62 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowMay: 1.86 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 0.93 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 0.27 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 0.17 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 0.31 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.00 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 4.33 inches of precipitation, 0.8 inches of snowDecember: 7.67 inches of precipitation, 4.0 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 40.3°F averageFebruary: 43.3°F averageMarch: 47.2°F averageApril: 51.8°F averageMay: 59.4°F averageJune: 66.3°F averageJuly: 73.7°F averageAugust: 72.3°F averageSeptember: 66.2°F averageOctober: 55.8°F averageNovember: 45.4°F averageDecember: 38.6°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Weaverville, 5 miles from the recreation area point at 2,058 feet, station USC00049490 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 38 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 9 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 40.66° N, 122.95° W. Call the office before you drive.

Good to know

  • For information on campground details, fees, opening/closing dates, and making reservations, please visit: Steel Bridge Campground, Trinity - Recreation.gov

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Five-7 Rx

    6 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Five-6 Rx

    7 mi from the campground

  • Prescribed
    Shf Rx

    35 mi from the campground

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Explore

Video

Video of Steel Bridge Campground, CA from Sara S.

Natural features

Steel Bridge Campground is nestled in a narrow valley with ponderosa pine, douglas fir, oak, and madrone trees coating the hillsides. The campground is immeidately adjacent to the Wild and Scenic Trinity River, known for its cold, clear water and abudant paddling, swimming, and fishing opprotunities.

Recreation

Swimming, fishing, and paddling are all popular activites along the Trinity River immediately adjacent to the campground. A rustic hiking trail can be explored to find additional river access points and connect you to other recreation sites along Steiner Flat Road. Wildlife is abundat along the river, so birding and other wildlife viewing activities are popular!

Nearby

Trinity River (Lewiston Lake to Pigeon Point): Class I and II segment popular for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Trinity River (below Pigeon Point): Class III and IV segment popular for white water rafting. Guided trips availalbe from local vendors. Lewiston and Trinty Lakes: Fishing, boating, and swimming. Weaver Basin trail system: Non-motorized trails near Weaverville, CA that offer great hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Trinity Alps Wilderness: Access the wilderness area through many nearby trailheads for overnight or day hiking. Weaverville, CA: Small town with dining and shopping options.

Guidebooks for Trinity

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • TCG Trinity Counter Guide
    J. V. Crow, 2024
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • A teacher's guide to understanding the Trinity
    Samuel M. Powell, 2011
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Trinity College Dublin
    Fergus Mulligan, 2010
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • The guide of the perplexed of Maimonides
    Moses Maimonides, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Cosmic prayer and guided transformation
    Robert Govaerts, 2012
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Steel Bridge Campground?

Sites at Steel Bridge Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Steel Bridge Campground?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Steel Bridge Campground have?

13 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I bring an RV to Steel Bridge Campground?

Steel Bridge Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Steel Bridge Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Steel Bridge Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Steel Bridge Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Steel Bridge Campground?

Site Site 6 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Steel Bridge Campground?

Swimming, fishing, and paddling are all popular activites along the Trinity River immediately adjacent to the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation