Falcons, Impalas, Cougars, Rams... you'll hear them all night long from the I-5.
Being right off I-5 at Shasta Caverns Road is convenient if you want to avoid driving too many miles of narrow, winding, bumpy road. However, you will hear traffic all day and all night long. So, to be honest, it feels more like a really lush and natural rest area.
Bailey Cove Campground is situated within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near Shasta Lake, operated by the Shasta Recreation Company under a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Coordinates: 40.8° N, 122.319° W. Elevation: About 1,082 feet.
Each campground has a parking space that fits trailers up to 45 feet ($12 for extra car), picnic table, bear locker, fire pit (w removable grate), potable water, with a little marker that identifies your reservation. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean and nice smelling. The ranger on-site (Bryan) is friendly.
Bailey Cove Trail is a 3-mile loop trail that hugs the shoreline, open to hikers and mountain bikers. An adjacent public boat ramp (closed during low lake levels) provides easy access to Shasta Lake, for boating and fishing. Lake Shasta Caverns (separate review) is a 10 minute drive away.
There are 7 campsites. I would avoid #1. Even though it has the best access to a small, flat beachy area, it is much too close to the large parking lot and roads to the boat ramp, so it's heavy traffic. #2 and #3 are fine, and perfect for groups because they seem to create one double site. Our spot #2 is just steps from the bear-proof trash can, which is convenient for housekeeping but potentially inconvenient for noise. #3 is closest to a sketchy trails past poison oak to get to a private lakefront beach area. #4 and #5 are probably the best sites if you like seclusion. They dip down below ground level, which might help with noise. #5 has the advantage of having more shade and being closer (but not closest) to the bathroom. #7 is the furthest back, offering less road noise, though I suspect they are subject to the most flashlight light from the campers below walking (maximum 210 steps from Site #2) to the bathroom.
I would avoid #6, which is so close to the bathroom it should be renamed #2. read more