Mount Shasta (California)

Mount Shasta has a mystical appeal, and a visit there is guaranteed to be multi-faceted. Some of the area’s claims to fame are the most beautiful waterfall in California and unique landscapes created by ancient volcanic activity. The area’s stunning natural attractions offer endless opportunities for nature lovers, and Shasta also draws visitors with its spiritual significance. 

In this guide to Mount Shasta, I’ll share 19 things to do. I’ll also suggest Mount Shasta itineraries for anywhere from 2 to 12 days, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or extended road trip. 

A visit to Shasta makes for a great budget-friendly trip, and most of the attractions I’ve shared in this post are free! I also love that Mount Shasta can be visited in all seasons and isn’t as crowded as other California destinations like Yosemite and Tahoe. 

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

Related Articles:
Burney Falls
Castle Crags State Park
Hedge Creek Falls
Castle Lake and Heart Lake
McCloud Falls

Mount Shasta History and Information

Mt. Shasta was a sacred place to Native Americans, and today it is considered the root chakra (energy source) of the world. It is known globally for its healing properties and ability to forge spiritual connections. The mountain is also the subject of countless legends, including that of a hidden civilization (Lemuria) living in a lost city (Telos) buried far inside the mountain. Mt. Shasta is also claimed to be a hotbed of alien activity. 

Whether or not you believe in these legends, it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer size of Mt. Shasta. The mountain stands at 14,179 feet tall and is an active volcano, erupting once every ~250 years over the past 750 years. The Mount Shasta volcano is the largest in the Cascade chain, which runs from southwestern British Columbia to Northern California. The mountain’s steep, tall shape provides the perfect conditions for generating spaceship-like lenticular clouds.

Mount Shasta Things to Do

Things to Do Near Redding

Lake Redding Park. Stop here to take a break from driving and have a picnic lunch. The park overlooks the river and if you stay a while, you’ll likely see a train passing through the trestle bridge that towers above the park. 

Lake Shasta. Get on the water at California’s largest reservoir. Lake Shasta is a popular place to rent houseboats and jet skis. 

Lake Shasta Caverns. Take a tour of underground caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites. A boat ride is included with the tour, since the caverns are only accessible by crossing the lake.

Things to Do Near Burney

Burney Falls (McArthur-Burney Falls State Park). Visit the most beautiful waterfall in California. This huge waterfall consists of many individual streams of water, a mossy cliff, and a basin of vivid turquoise water.

McCloud Falls. Check out a favorite local swimming hole. There are three McCloud waterfalls, all of which are surrounded by interesting basalt structures. A short walk along the river or drive takes you to the falls.

Things to Do Near Dunsmuir

Hedge Creek Falls. Walk through the alcove behind the waterfall for a unique perspective. The falls are just a 5 minute walk from the parking lot, which is conveniently located off I-5.

Mossbrae Falls. Marvel at these large falls, which are veiled in moss and consist of delicate streams of water. Unfortunately there is no official trail to reach these falls yet, but there are plans to build one starting from Hedge Creek Falls.

Sweetbriar Falls. Take a break from your drive on I-5 to visit this small waterfall. 

Castle Crags State Park. Hike to see dramatic granite formations and waterfalls, or do a quick walk to the vista overlooking Mt. Shasta. For a challenge, hike to Castle Dome to see the Castle Crags up close.

Things to Do Near Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta Town. Have a meal at a local diner and do some shopping at a local business. Mount Shasta attracts many people for its mystical properties, and as a result there is no shortage of shops selling crystals and offering spiritual services.

Sacramento River Headwaters. See the source of the Sacramento River. The spring is located in Mount Shasta City park and the water is claimed by many to have healing properties.

Lake Siskiyou. Relax at the lake’s beach, and if you’re up for it walk the entire trail around the periphery of the lake. For a shorter walk, check out the iconic blue Wagon Creek suspension bridge.

Ney Springs and Faery Falls. Do a short hike to reach a waterfall. Along the trail you’ll encounter the remnants of a once-thriving resort that lured visitors with promises of the spring’s restorative powers.

Castle Lake and Heart Lake. Enjoy a day on the water at the pristine Castle Lake, or hike up to Heart Lake for a spectacular view of Mt. Shasta emerging from behind a heart-shaped lake.

Mt. Shasta Bunny Flat Trailhead. Get a closer look at Mt. Shasta from this trailhead at the base of the mountain. There are many short trails that will take you through the alpine landscape, such as the ones to Horse Camp or Panther Meadow.

Black Butte. Hike to the summit of this perfectly cylindrical volcanic peak. From the top you’ll have a panoramic vantage point of Mt. Shasta.

Pluto’s Cave. Explore an ancient lava tube that was formed by volcanic activity. You’ll see intricate stalactites and stalagmites. If you’re adventurous, you can make your way through mysterious passages and chambers that vary from expansive and cathedral-like to narrow and winding.

Nearby National Parks

Lassen National Park. Wander through the volcanic landscapes of the park and admire its centerpiece, Lassen Peak. Make sure to visit Bumpass Hell, a hydrothermal area with colorful boiling springs and steaming vents. A network of trails provides visitors with panoramic views and the area is perfect for hiking and camping.

Crater Lake National Park. Continue driving ~2 hours north from Mount Shasta to reach this majestic park in Oregon. The lake’s unique structure was formed from a volcanic eruption. You can observe the pristine sapphire-colored lake from the dramatic caldera, and there are plenty of hiking opportunities in this area.

Mount Shasta Itinerary

Mount Shasta Map of Attractions

I’d recommend taking a long weekend in Mount Shasta, especially if you have a long drive to get there. However many of the attractions are close to each other, so you’ll still be able to see a lot in just 2 days.

2 Day Mount Shasta Itinerary:
Day 1: Burney Falls, McCloud Falls, Hedge Creek Falls
Day 2: Castle Crags State Park, Castle Lake and Heart Lake

3 Day Mount Shasta Itinerary:
Day 1: Burney Falls, McCloud Falls
Day 2: Castle Lake and Heart Lake, Mount Shasta Bunny Flat, Mount Shasta Town
Day 3: Hedge Creek Falls, Castle Crags State Park

If you have 4 – 6 days, build on the 3-day itinerary by choosing additional attractions to visit. In 7 days, it would be feasible to visit most of the destinations I’ve listed in the Shasta area. If you have closer to 2 weeks, you could visit all of the Mount Shasta attractions and include trips to Lassen and Crater Lake National Parks as well.

Useful Tips

• Limited phone service. Expect limited to no phone service at many of the destinations listed in this Mount Shasta guide. Download Google Maps of the area and hiking trail GPS information in advance. 
• Beat the heat. If you’re going hiking near Mount Shasta in the summer, start early in the morning. Many of the trails are not shaded and can get hot.
• Check trail conditions. Hiking trails 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.  
• Arrive early. For many popular destinations such as Burney Falls, the parking lots fill up quickly on summer weekends. Arrive early and if you can, or plan to visit on a weekday or in shoulder season.
• Leave no trace. Let’s do our part to preserve these beautiful places.

Mount Shasta Weather and When to Go

Good news: you can visit Mt. Shasta year-round! 

In Spring, you’ll see wildflowers in peak bloom. Summer is the perfect time to explore local swimming holes, lakes, and waterfalls. Fall puts on a spectacular display of fall foliage. In Winter you can try out winter sports, visit the Mount Shasta ski park, and see icicles dangling from the waterfalls. 

That being said, here are some logistical guidelines:

Summers in this area are generally hot (sometimes unbearably so) during the day and cool at night. Temperatures in the winter can drop very low. Fall sometimes brings wildfires, so check conditions before heading out.

Most of the Mount Shasta destinations I’ve listed can be visited year-round, but Spring through Fall will make for the most convenient visit. 

If you’d like to visit in winter, make sure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. Many trails may be covered in ice and snow, requiring traction devices and snowshoes. Roads to trailheads may also be closed. Chains may be required to drive through this area in winter.

Mount Shasta Directions

Mount Shasta is located in Northern California. Aside from the city of Mount Shasta, the next closest city is Redding. It’s about a 5 hour drive from the Bay Area. Normally I’d recommend some stops to break up the drive, but there’s not really much to do along I-5 until you get to Redding.

What to Bring

I’ve listed some items you should pack if you plan to do any hiking near Mount Shasta. For a full list of what to bring, refer to my complete day hiking checklist.

• 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. 
• Trekking Poles. These will save your knees on descents and provide stability when crossing streams and rocky terrain.
• Hat. 
• Sunscreen.
• Lip Balm with SPF.
• Mosquito spray. 
• Electrolytes. These help prevent dehydration and fatigue, especially on strenuous hikes in hot weather.
• Water in a Reservoir or Bottle.  
• Rain jacket. Women’s, Men’s. Mountain weather can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to get soaked in a sudden downpour. A rain jacket also doubles as a windbreaker.
• Swimsuit and Microfiber Towel. You’ll want to jump in the refreshing waterfalls and lakes in the summer.
• Picnic, snacks. There are many great spots to have a picnic.

Where to Stay

Mount Shasta Camping

There are various US National Forest, State Park, and private campgrounds in the area. Some of the larger and reservable campsites include Castle Crags State Park Campground, McArthur – Burney Falls Rim Campground, and Fowler’s Campground. Many campsites are only open seasonally; check that they are available during your dates of travel.

Dispersed camping is permitted within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Two of the most popular sites are Sand Flat and Bunny Flat. Check with the US Forest Service for guidelines and permitted areas.

Mount Shasta Hotels

You’ll find everything from modern hotels to charming chalets. I’ve listed some of my recommendations below.

Hotels in Burney: Shasta Pines Motel & Suites, Green Gables Motel & Suites

Hotels in McCloud: McCloud River Bed and Breakfast

Hotels in Mount Shasta: Cold Creek Inn, Mount Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast, Mount Shasta Resort, Strawberry Valley Inn, Inn At Mount Shasta, Mossbrae Hotel

Hotels in Redding: Hope Inn, Americana Modern Hotel, Home2 Suites By Hilton, Sheraton, Fairfield Inn & Suites

Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide to Mount Shasta was helpful! Which destination are you most excited about visiting? Leave your thoughts and questions 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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