Hell Gate Campground is at the confluence Rattlesnake Creek and the South Fork Trinity River in southern Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The campground is on Highway 36, 75 miles west of Red Bluff. Visitors to Hells Gate find good fishing and interesting hiking trails. When water levels are safe, swimming in the river is popular. Experienced rock climbers know about the nearby Marble Caves, limestone cliffs ranging up to 250-feet in height. Less than an hour away is beautiful Ruth Lake with boating, water skiing, and fishing.
Hell Gate Campground offers 17 campsites for tents and small RVs or trailers. All of the sites are first-come, first-served.
| Hell Gate Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Hell Gate Campground Location: | Off Highway 36, 75 miles west of Red Bluff |
| Elevation: | 2,330 feet |
| Mileage from gateway city: |
Red Bluff - 75 miles
Eureka - 84 miles |
| Number of Sites: | 17 |
| Open - Closed: | Open late May through early September, weather permitting |
| Max. People per Site: | 8 (including children) |
| Vehicles per Site: | 1 |
| Pets: | on leash, always attended |
| Operated by: | Shasta-Trinity National Forest |
| Hayfork Ranger Station: | (530) 628-5227 |
| Reservations | |
|---|---|
| No Reservations | All campsites at Hell Gate Campground are first-come, first-served |
| Maximum RV/trailer Length: | 16 feet |
| Wheelchair Accessible Sites: | None designated, but some facilities are accessible |
| Fees: | $12 per night |
| Check-in, check-out: | Any time, check-out Noon |
| Hell Gate Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsites: | Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups |
| Campground: | Vault toilets, tap water |
| Showers: | No |
| Dump station: | No |
| Attractions near Hell Gate Campground: | Hike on the 21-mile-long South Fork National Recreation Trail which begins right at Hell Gate Campground. Head to the South Fork Trinity River. Enjoy fishing, rafting and swimming. Drive up to Marble Caves rocks on Flume Gulch Road or hike 3.2 miles from the campground on Marble Caves Trail. Hike on the South Fork National Recreation Trail which begins at nearby Hell Gate Campground. Drive over to Ruth Lake for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. |
Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.
In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.
Visitors to the magnificent Shasta-Trinity National Forest have a wide variety of interesting places to visit and scenic vistas to enjoy. Those camped at Hell Gate Campground have the South Fork Trinity River nearby and scenic Ruth Lake to the west.
Check Shasta-Trinity National Forest - Hell Gate Campground for any campground updates.
