Hiking from Castle Lake to Heart Lake (California)

Castle Lake is a glacial lake in Northern California that offers one of the best vantage points of Mt. Shasta in the area. I recommend hiking the 3-mile round trip to Heart Lake from Castle Lake. It’s not every day that you get to see a heart-shaped lake, and on this trail you’ll see two of them! 

Non-hikers will still find many things to do at Castle Lake, including fishing, swimming, boating, and camping. In this guide to Castle Lake, I’ll provide information to help you plan your visit and also suggest nearby attractions in the Mt. Shasta area for your itinerary.

If you need a refresher, check out my guide to day hiking. For more places to explore in California, browse my California destination guides.

Castle Lake History

The indigenous people of the area called the lake the “Castle of the Devil”, believing that the haunting noises coming from the lake in winter were caused by an evil spirit living within its waters. We now know that these eerie noises arise from the movement of ice when the lake freezes over in winter.

Trip Planning Information

Castle Lake Trail Information & Things to Do

Walk Along the Lake

For a short Castle Lake hike, walk along the lakeshore. There’s a 0.5 mile trail that runs along the right side of the lake.

Heart Lake Hike

For a longer hike, take the Heart Lake trail, which is 3 miles and 813 ft elevation gain round trip. Most of the hike is exposed, so bring adequate sun protection.

The trail from Castle Lake to Heart Lake starts on the left side of the lake. Within the first mile, you’ll reach a vista overlooking Castle Lake. 

For an even better vantage point (and fewer crowds), continue hiking to Heart Lake. Walk to the back of Heart Lake to catch a glimpse of Mt. Shasta reflected in its waters. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to see this because at the time of my late November visit, Heart Lake was frozen solid!

You’ll need to continue ~0.3 miles past Heart Lake and head towards a rocky ledge to get the best view of Castle Lake. When seen from above, Castle Lake is shaped like a heart! This part of the trail can be hard to follow, so consider downloading the map on a hiking app such as AllTrails for help navigating.

Trail map for the Castle lake to Heart lake hike.

Catch a Sunrise

Heart Lake is the perfect place to watch the sun rising next to Mt. Shasta! Make sure to start the hike from Castle Lake early enough (your pace will be slower in the dark than during the day) and aim to arrive ~30 min before official sunrise time for the most intense colors.

Heart Lake Camping

For backpackers, there are some great dispersed camping sites near Heart Lake. The short hiking distance makes it a beginner-friendly trip, with the added bonus of a stunning sunrise in the morning. You don’t need a wilderness permit, but you’ll need a permit if you want to build a campfire.

Get on the Water

Dive into the refreshing waters of Castle Lake during the summer, or bring along your kayak or paddleboard. The lake is stocked with trout and an excellent spot for fishing.

Useful Tips

• Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service on the road to Castle lake and at the lake itself. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance.  
• Beat the heat. Start hiking early, especially in summer. Much of the Heart Lake trail is not shaded and can get hot.
• Check trail conditions. The trail may be covered in ice and snow from late fall to early spring. Check recent trail reviews on AllTrails or call the local ranger station for information on current conditions.
• Leave no trace.

How Long to Stay

I recommend staying at Castle Lake for at least an hour, since you’ll need to drive 20 minutes from town to get there.

If you have 30 minutes, walk along the lakeshore. For a 1 hour visit, walk halfway up the trail to Heart Lake for a nice aerial view of Castle Lake. In 2 hours, do the full hike to Heart Lake and back.

Castle Lake Weather & When to Go

Castle Lake can be visited year-round, pending road opening status. 

The temperature can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. My last visit was in late November and the temperature was comfortably cool. Fall wildfires are common in the California mountains. Check local conditions before heading out.

The road to Castle Lake may close seasonally in winter but usually opens by Memorial Day. Check with the US Forest Service for more information. In winter you’ll need skis or snowshoes to explore the trails around Castle lake. Chains may be required to drive through this area in winter.

Park Information

No entrance fee or permits are required to visit Castle Lake, which is part of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. There are no specific opening hours, and dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

Castle Lake Directions

Castle lake is located in Northern California, at the end of Castle Lake road. The closest city is Mount Shasta (20 min). It’s a 4 hr 50 min drive from the Bay Area.

The road to the parking lot is paved. Navigate to “Castle Lake Parking” in Mt. Shasta, CA on Google Maps. The parking lot has restrooms.

The area is very popular year-round and you should arrive early to find a parking spot and avoid crowds.

What to Bring

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my complete day hiking checklist. For this hike I would stress the following:

• Trail Map. Download the map for offline navigation. 
• Day Hiking Backpack. Invest in a high-quality and durable pack that will last for years!
• Hiking Shoes. Women’s, Men’s. I do not recommend running or general athletic shoes for this hike. Their lack of traction will cause you to slip.
• Hiking Socks. Women’s, Men’s. Wool is essential to keep your feet dry and blister-free.
• Hiking Pants. Women’s, Men’s. I love these pants because they are lightweight, durable, and have pockets.
• Hiking T-Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. Quick-drying T-Shirts are ideal. Tank tops will cause your skin to rub uncomfortably against your backpack straps.
• Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt. Women’s, Men’s. This is the best way to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitos. 
• Swimsuit and Microfiber Towel. You’ll want to swim in these lakes!
• Hat. This hike is very exposed, so protect yourself from the sun.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip Balm with SPF.
• Mosquito spray. 
• Water in a Reservoir or Bottle.  
• Microspikes. You may need these if you’re going early or late in the season. 
• Picnic, snacks. There is no food for sale nearby
• Kayak or SUP. There aren’t any available for rent at the lake

Where to Stay

Castle Lake Camping

Dispersed camping is allowed in the area. Check regulations with the US Forest Service. Heart Lake camping is permitted, but there is no dispersed camping allowed within 0.5 mi of Castle Lake.

For established campgrounds, Castle Lake Campground is nearby and open seasonally. It has 6 first-come-first-served sites and you need to bring your own water.

Accommodation Nearby

Budget: Cold Creek Inn

Mid-range: Mount Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast, Mount Shasta Resort, Strawberry Valley Inn, Inn At Mount Shasta, Mossbrae Hotel

Castle Lake Things to Do Nearby

Castle Lake Map of Nearby Attractions

There’s plenty of things to do near Castle Lake. I’ve listed some of my favorites below, along with their driving times. If you’d like some itinerary suggestions, check out my guide to the Mt. Shasta area.

• Lake Siskiyou (15 min)
• Ney Springs and Faery Falls (20 min)
• Mount Shasta city & Sacramento River headwaters (20 min)
• Hedge Creek Falls (25 min)
• Mossbrae Falls (25 min)
• Castle Crags State Park (35 min)
• McCloud Falls (40 min)
• Mt. Shasta Bunny Flat trailhead (40 min)
• Pluto’s Cave (55 min)
• Lake Shasta Caverns (1 hr 5 min)
• Burney Falls (1 hr 15 min)
• Lassen National Park (2 hr)
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (2 hr 30 min)

Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide to Castle Lake is helpful as you plan your getaway to the Mount Shasta region! Would you try camping at Heart Lake? Let me know your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.

For more places to explore in California, browse my California destination guides.

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