Bailey Cove Campground — Hotel in Shasta Lake

Came here to camp for one night in late July. While this campground is right by Shasta Lake, there really isn't much water to speak of this time of the year. Mind you, it is deep enough to swim in, but dont expect a very ample lake in Summer.

The campgrounds themselves are quite nice - nicely laid out, and many of them feel quite private and spacious. The very first one does offer a bit of a lake view, although you'll be right by the entrance and, as I mentioned, there isn't that much of a lake. Do note that you are fairly close to the highway, but the noise isn't overly loud.

Come night time, there are bugs galore - putting aside the mosquitoes, there are swarms of these tiny little bugs that aren't warded off by citranella candles, and there was this one class of beetle that literally would dive bomb my table in a dazed and drunken state - entertaining, but annoying.

Finally, in July in more or less central California, it's hot as heck, so expect that.

However, I'm being a little petty - it was a nice campground, and I'd probably recommend this place in the early springtime when the water levels would be higher and temperatures lower. Cost when I went was $20 per night. There is drinking water, but you have to bring your...

Baileys Cove state park is hard for me to rate on the single 5 star system. As a small 7 space camping park with a attached day use area. Its really nice! The current (3-13-2021) camp host, Brian had the park looking good. No trash to be seen and the bathrooms were clean. I would have to give a small deduction for being located under a portion of 1-5. So naturally, you do hear some heavy truck traffic while around the camp fire / picnic area. This may bother some light sleepers or those in tents. At only $25 a night (3-13-21). It's a great place to camp for someone traveling 1-5...

The negative is that unfortunately, Baileys Cove as a WATER recreation area is impossible. The fact of the matter is, do to a variety of reasons. The Cove is bone DRY in mid March. My attached photos can far better put it into perspective, then my words... With NO snow pack to speak of when I visited / went by the Mt. Shasta area. I don't see or know now Mt. Shasta lake can refill up enough water, to once again restore Bailey's Cove as a water recreation area any time soon....

This campground seemed like the great spot. An exit with nothing else, a nice long drive down to the campsites, a forest setting with quick access to the lake. Well it was a winding road down, but not away so you are still close enough to hear the rumbling of the trucks on the highway above all night. There were bathrooms with flushing toilets, but no water to wash your hands so that was a poor surprise. The campsites are set up in a smallish semicircle so once the neighbors were up so were we. And as far as access to the lake, I get it we are in a drought, but there were no signs and deep enough weeds to believe that it has been several years since it was a waterfront park. It was a nice enough spot to stop for the night passing through, but not a campgrounds that I would look forward to spending any real...