Shasta, California
Shasta, California is a great destination for outdoor adventurers. From top trails to scenic viewpoints, there are plenty of must-visit activities in and near the area. Hiking, camping, fishing, and biking are some of the best activities to explore. Visitors can also take a drive to the Shasta Lake and enjoy the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Nature lovers can take a short drive to the Lassen Volcanic National Park and explore the volcanic landscape. The area is also a great spot for exploring the great outdoors. With so many activities available, Shasta, California is the perfect destination for an outdoor adventure.
Top Spots in and near Shasta
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Round Mountain, California
Potem Falls
5.00.58 mi / 151 ft gainPark in the pull-out on Fenders Ferry Road. There you will find the Potem Falls trailhead. The hike is only 0.6 miles long--you'll likely spend more time enjoying the falls than getting there! Bring your swim gear if you want to jump in the pool. The trail is dog-friendly and open March-October.Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Backpack to Bear Basin and The Four Lakes Loop
30.1 miDay 1 Swift Creek Trail Head to Bear BasinThe trip begins at the Swift Creek trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Permits are very easy to get, just stop by the Ranger station in Weaverville, CA. They are free and can be self-issued in front of the ranger station, or you can go in if you wou...Read more -
Junction City, California
Fly Fish the Trinity River
The Trinity River is one that is rarely visited by your typical Bay Area resident. In fact, much of true Northern California is "untouched" in the eyes of those who live in The City, which is what drew me to this place to begin with. After a five hour journey from San Francisco, we made it to our...Read more -
Junction City, California
Camp at Junction City Campground
3.0Junction City Campground is home to 22 tent/trailer campsites, paved loop road, vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. MAX trailer length is 40 feet. The campground is located 1.5 miles west of Junction City on State Highway 299.Dogs are welcome in the campground -- please k...Read more -
Platina, California
Hike to Massacre Natural Bridge
5.01 miNatural Bridge is a historic/geologic site located near Hayfork, CA off Wildwood Road near Chanchelulla Peak in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. To get there take Hwy 36 or 299 to Hwy 3/Hayfork, then take Wildwood Road to Forest Service Road 31N19 (unpaved)- Natural Bridge is a mile or two off...Read more -
Junction City, California
Canyon Creek Lakes
4.314.35 mi / 2605 ft gainNumerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevatio...Read more -
Junction City, California
Scramble Thompson Peak
4.022.7 mi / 6100 ft gainThis adventure begins at the Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps wilderness. Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Junction City and hike the well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail for 8 miles. Once you reach the Canyon Creek Lakes, your off-trail adventure officially begins. I’d recommend...Read more -
Junction City, California
Backcountry Camp in the Canyon Creek Drainage
9 mi / 2600 ft gainThe first half of the Canyon Creek Drainage is one of the most popular destinations within the Trinity Alps, but the second half goes largely unexplored and uninhabited by sojourners. Four peaks – Thompson Peak, Wedding Cake, Mt. Hilton, and Sawtooth Peak – surround the basin and offer adventurer...Read more -
Montgomery Creek, California
Hatchet Falls (Lion Slide)
2.5About 45 min outside of Redding, California is this breathtaking waterfall, with being a relatively short hike makes it fun for all ages. The hike takes about 5 minutes from the road. Finding Hatchet Falls (aka Lion Slide) from the road are another story, with these falls not being marked anywher...Read more -
Castella, California
Hike Crags Trail to Castle Dome
4.45.1 mi / 2135 ft gainOne of the gems in the Shasta area, Castle Crags. You can spot these dramatic granite towers from a distance and their jagged formations beckon climbers and hikers alike. Imagine a slice of the Dolomites plucked out of Italy and placed in Northern California. Crags Trail to Castle Dome winds up t...Read more -
Forks of Salmon, California
Hike to the Caribou Lakes, Shasta-Trinity Alps
4.016 mi / 3000 ft gainHike through the most majestic and unforgettable mountain ranges, alpine terrains, glacier lakes outside of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. Yes, it's a long drive there and a lengthy hike, but if you have any doubts about whether this is worth the effort, just go! I struggled with the s...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Stoddard Lake
5.07.01 mi / 1325 ft gainThe trail is a bit rocky, so wear sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. While your elevation gain is only 800 total, you will travel upwards of 1,982ft in elevation given the ups and downs of the trail. At mile 1.75, there is a spring that feeds into a large meadow. At mile 3, there is another sp...Read more -
Dunsmuir, California
Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake
5.02.46 mi / 719 ft gainHeart Lake Trail From Castle Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Dunsmuir, California.Read more -
Dunsmuir, California
Hike to Heart Lake in the Klamath Mountains
4.52.2 mi / 600 ft gainScenes like this are rarely so accessible. Heart Lake is nestled in a bowl below Castle Peak, on the edge of the Castle Crags Wilderness just west of I-5 and the city of Mt. Shasta. The parking lot and trailhead are both located on the shore of Castle Lake, a much larger lake that is stunning in ...Read more -
Shasta County, California
Magee Peak & Crater Peak
7.19 mi / 2887 ft gainThe trail to Magee Peak and Crater Peak makes for a fairly strenuous hike (mostly due to altitude). This USFS out-and-back trail has incredible views of the major peaks in the Northern California & Southern Oregon. Take in a spectacular close-up of Lassen NP and great views of Shasta, Castl...Read more -
Dunsmuir, California
Mossbrae Falls
5.03.01 miDisclaimer: Hiking to the falls is trespassing. Fines can be as much as $300. If you choose to hike to the falls, you're doing so at your own risk so please be cautious and cognizant of your surroundings. If you live anywhere near Northern California or Southern Oregon, you may have heard about ...Read more
