Connectivity
- VerizonLTESome coverageVerified by 0 campers
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Campground
Preacher Meadow (CA)
Shasta-Trinity National Forest, California
About this campground
Preacher Meadow Campground is located on Swift Creek, it has a total 44 single sites with an average back in around 16ft.
There are picnic tables and fire rings with grills on top located at each site.
Popular activities on Trinity Lake include boating, fishing, sailing and water skiing.
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 40.963132° N
- Longitude
- 122.730461° W
Know before you arrive
Access, sites & campground features
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Access
- Boat-in
Site types
- Standard campsites
- RV / trailer sitesCommunity report
- Tent sitesCommunity report
Features
For campers
- Toilets
- Drinking water
- Picnic table
- FiresUse only when the current order allows flame
- Pets allowedDogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
- Reservable
For vehicles
No vehicle features are separately published.
Official campground guide
Plan with the full campground details
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
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
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.
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
Activities & amenities
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Available activities
- Canoeing
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Kayaking
Amenities and facility features
- Vault or pit toilets
- Potable water
- Picnic tables
- Site fire ring or grillUse only when the current order allows flame
- Campfire Rings
- Non-Potable Water
- Vault Toilets
Recreation sites
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Standard Non-Electric
45 sites- Maximum people
- 8
- Maximum vehicles
- 1
- Check-in
- 03:00 PM
- Check-out
- 02:00 PM
- Accessible sites
- None flagged in site inventory
Site rules, inventory & rates
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Site rules
- Base site allowance
- Scan & Pay: A convenience fee is charged for use of the Scan & Pay option
- Scan And Pay
- 1 timesScan and Pay Usage
- Maximum published vehicles
- 1 vehicles per site
- Check-in
- 03:00 PM
- Check-out
- 02:00 PM
- Food storage
- Preacher Meadow (CA)'s official facility record checked 2026-10-16 does not publish a food-storage method; confirm the posted rule with Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
- Fire and stove use
- Preacher Meadow (CA)'s official facility record states: There are picnic tables and fire rings with grills on top located at each site.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed in developed Forest Service recreation sites when restrained, crated or caged, or on a leash no longer than six feet. Posted site restrictions still apply.
Inventory window
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
- Currently bookable through
- Sep 9, 2026
- Next release
- Nov 23, 2026, 7:00 AM PST
- Next book-through date
- May 23, 2027
- Group sites bookable through
- Sep 11, 2027
Published seasons & rates
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2026 – Sep 9, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $16 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2027 – Sep 11, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $16 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 23, 2028 – Sep 11, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $16 | — | — |
Important facility notices
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
- Poison oak is abundant throughout the forest
- If applicable, the holder of the Golden Pass must be present; Must bring card to the area
- Wildlife is frequent in the area; all food must be kept in approved containers: Wildlife Info
- Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit: Firewood Information
- Only one vehicle is included in the cost of single sites and two vehicles in double sites;Extra vehicle fee is $12 per night.
- Check-in time 3 P.M. and Check-out time 2 P.M.
Getting there & contact
Official directions
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.