Preacher Meadow (CA)

Campground · 45 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Shasta National Forest (NF) · Open Access

45
Bookable sites
up to 8
People per site
2,954 ft
Elevation
By Preacher Meadow
Photo: . · Recreation.gov

Overview

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.

This Campground is on a First Come - First Serve Basis, vistors are required to physically be at the campground to purchase and claim a site. You must also occupy the area the day you pay for it, no advance payments. We encourage our visitors to download the recreation.gov app to take advantage of the Scan & Pay Option. There is also a Iron Ranger on site that you can pay with cash or check. 

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.

Facilities

A public boat ramp is located approximately 6 miles away at Bowerman (dependent on water level).

To view current ramp information visit our website: Ramp Information

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. 

Nearby Attractions

There are several attractions in the area for a list view our website: Local Attractions

Charges & 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. For cash or check refunds please call us at 530-275-8113. Please Note! Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. 

Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure the Recreation.gov will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates and sites (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be canceled and all fees paid will be refunded. 

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.  

If you are requesting a refund for a walk-up site, please contact the host on-site or call us 530-275-8113. All refunds must be approved and issued through our office or processed though Recreation.gov. 

The facts

  • Season: May 27 – Sept 8 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 45 bookable sites
  • Up to 8 people per site

Site types

  • 45 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.

Book on Recreation.gov

45 campsites at Preacher Meadow (CA)

Check-in 03:00 PM · Check-out 02:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
Standard Nonelectric—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 1—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 10—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 11—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 12—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 13—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 14—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 15—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 16—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 17—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 18—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 19—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 2—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 20—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 21—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 22—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 23—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 24—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 25—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 26—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 27—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 28—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 29—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 3—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 30—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 31—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 32—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 33—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 34—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 35—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 36—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 37—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 38—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 39—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 4—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 40—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 41—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 42—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 43—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 44—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 5—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 6—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 7—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 8—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾
Standard Nonelectric 9—Standard Nonelectric———8 🐾

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. 

40.96313, -122.73046 · 40°57'47.3"N 122°43'49.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in9.28.05.73.82.31.20.20.20.52.75.311.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Scan & Pay: A convenience fee is charged for use of the Scan & Pay option 

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

Member photos

Common questions about Preacher Meadow (CA)

Can you reserve a site at Preacher Meadow (CA)?
Yes, Preacher Meadow (CA) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Preacher Meadow (CA) have?
45 sites.
Are pets allowed at Preacher Meadow (CA)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Preacher Meadow (CA).

Also listed by

Preacher Meadow (CA) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Preacher Meadow (CA)'s operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $20/day, $10/day per additional vehicle

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Preacher Meadow (CA)

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.