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.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 14 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 06 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 07 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 09 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 11 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 12 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 13 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 14 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | 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). |
| Accessibility | Sites 09, 11, 12, 13 and 3 more are listed accessible |
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.
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. |
| Forest | Six Rivers National Forest |
| Booking | No reservations. First come, first serve. Self register at entrance kiosk. |
| Fees | $12 per night, $5 per extra vehicle. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Bridgeville, California |
| Coordinates | 40.3442° N, 123.4031° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedFive-7 Rx
37 mi from the campground
- PrescribedFive-6 Rx
38 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Trinity Outdoors ↗ | 36.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 55.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Fir Cove Campground (Ruth Lake) - Six Rivers National Forest, CA
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miLake Vista Trail1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miLakeside0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miPickett Peak Trail2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miMad Ridge Trail ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.9 miVan Mad A1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.3 miDevils Backbone1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
Mount Lassic Wilderness begins about 6.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.8 miMount Lassic Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 7,272 acres
- 13.9 miNorth Fork Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,158 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
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.
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 Fir Cove Campground?
Sites at Fir Cove Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. No reservations. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Fir Cove Campground?
Daily rate $12/night. Extra Vehicle $5/night. Fee is due at entrance kiosk.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Fir Cove Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Fir Cove Campground have?
14 sites, including 14 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Fir Cove Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Fir Cove Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Fir Cove Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Fir Cove Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Fir Cove Campground?
Sites 09, 11, 12, and 13 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 7 sites in all. 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 Fir Cove Campground?
The lake provides boating, water skiing, fishing and countless other recreation opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Fir Cove Campground?
Bridgeville, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Fir Cove Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bailey Canyon Campground (0.3 mi, first-come), Scott Flat Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), and Mad River Campground (5.3 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby