Girard Ridge Lookout in CA -- Campground & RV Camping

Constructed in 1931, the historic 13-foot-tall Girard Ridge Lookout sits at 4,809 feet elevation above the Sacramento River Canyon in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The 14x14-foot rustic cabin features a gable roof, exterior catwalk, two twin beds with mattresses, cabinets, and a dining table. A separate vault toilet building stands 30 feet away down the access stairs. The site has no water, electricity, heat, or cooking equipment; visitors must bring all water, supplies, and portable stoves. Nearby trails lead north to the Pacific Crest Trail, and Castle Crags State Park sits close by.

Getting there: From Redding California, or Mt. Shasta, take Interstate 5 towards Castle Crags State Park. Exit the Interstate at the Soda Creek exit 726. From here, the lookout is approximately 7.5 miles over mostly dirt road. Head east towards the Sacramento River. Cross the bridge over the river and veer right until you come to a road intersection. Turn right on Riverside and follow a curvy and narrow paved road to the intersection of the Girard Ridge Road (Forest Service Road Number 38N23). Turn left, heading up hill. The road will change from pavement to dirt at the 1.9 mile mark from I-5. You will pass some microwave towers. At the top of the hill at approx 6.5 miles from the interstate look for a road intersection, this is Forest Service Road Number 39N13. It will be your first left. Turn here and travel approximately .6 mile to an unnumbered road again on your left. A sign says Girard Ridge Lookout with an arrow. Turn here and you will come to a green Forest Service gate. Open the gate and travel on this road until you reach the lookout (about 1/2 mile). Active logging will be taking place through September 30, 2023 near the Girard lookout and may cause temperary road closure and access to the lookout. Expect delays and be mindfull of logging activity in the area.

• Well separated here, a single-site campground with the nearest through road 1.5 miles off.
• Flat ground is scarce: under a tenth of the terrain within a few hundred yards is level.
• Cabins and shelters rather than pads.
• Shastarama Point stands 6,340 ft above the map pin, 18 miles north.

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