Can you reserve a site at Fir Cove Campground?

Yes, Fir Cove Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Fir Cove Campground?

45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Fir Cove Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Fir Cove Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Fir Cove Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Fir Cove Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Fir Cove Campground, California — 14 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

The facts

Season: 5/20/2024 – 9/29/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
14 bookable sites
7 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 45 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: FIR COVE CAMPGROUND

Site types

14 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

14 campsites at Fir Cove Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
05	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	15 ft	8	🐾
06	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	15 ft	8	🐾
07	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	20 ft	8	🐾
08	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	35 ft	8	🐾
09	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	45 ft	8	♿ 🐾
10	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	20 ft	8	🐾
11	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	15 ft	8	♿ 🐾
12	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
13	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	20 ft	8	♿ 🐾
14	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	35 ft	8	♿ 🐾
15	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	25 ft	8	♿ 🐾
16	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
17	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	40 ft	8	🐾
18	FIR COVE CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	Lakefront	25 ft	8	🐾

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. 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.

40.34417, -123.40306 · 40°20'39.0"N 123°24'11.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	12.4	10.5	9.4	6.0	3.8	1.3	0.3	0.2	1.0	3.6	8.6	13.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 18.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Season Dates: 5/21/2021 - 9/13/2021 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).

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Fir Cove Campground

Can you reserve a site at Fir Cove Campground?: Yes, Fir Cove Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Fir Cove Campground have?: 14 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Fir Cove Campground?: 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Fir Cove Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Fir Cove Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Fir Cove Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Fir Cove Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Fir Cove Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Fir Cove Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$12 per night, $5 per extra vehicle. Cash (exact change) or check, made out to USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Fir Cove Campground

Forest Glen Guard Station 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mad River Campground 5.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bailey Canyon Campground 0.3 mi · Campground
Forest Glen Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
Hell Gate Campground 5.1 mi · Campground
Scott Flat Campground 5.2 mi · Campground
Philpot Picnic Area 14 mi · Campground
Hayfork Area 14 mi · Facility
Mad River Ranger District 16.3 mi · Facility
White Rock Campground 21 mi · Campground
Yolla Bolla Area 21.4 mi · Facility
Little Rock Picnic Area 21.7 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-20.

Fir Cove Campground