Things To Do in Mount Shasta, California

Mount Shasta Things To Do

Mount Shasta is known for its beauty and history. The area has a wealth of nature-related activities as well as beautiful scenery surrounded by interesting communities and historical towns. Of course, the highlight of the area is the 14,000-foot high Mount Shasta itself.

Get Out and Enjoy the Landscape

You can enjoy the mountain itself in a variety of ways. If you like hiking, then there are several trails to choose from. However, if you want to climb to the top of Mount Shasta, then you will definitely need a guide and some good mountaineering gear as getting to that summit can be difficult. Since there are many other trails of varying difficulty, if your objective is not to reach the summit, then it’s best to take one of those other trails.

If hiking is not your thing, drive around the area and view the mountain from various distances. Drive up to Bunny Flats for a fantastic look around at 6,800 feet. You can also camp at Siskiyou Lake campground which has one of the best views of the mountain available. If you’re lucky, you may get a great photo opportunity with its reflection across the lake. Beautiful river scenery abounds with the McCloud river and its waterfalls and dams.

Visit the Surrounding Towns

Mount Shasta City is a great place to take a break or fuel up. You can get everything you need there, plus there’s a local park where you can actually see the source of the Sacramento river. The water in the city is so pure and clean that it doesn’t need to be filtered. It is the best tap water you can find (just don’t drink it straight from the river).

Also in the area is the town of Weed, where Crystal Geyser water is sourced and bottled. The town itself was founded by Abner Weed as a place where people who worked for his company could live.  The town has a museum, called the Historic Lumbertown Museum, which tells a lot about this town’s history.

McCloud is another nearby city known for its views and waterfalls, as well as the McCloud Railway Company, which is still alive and well. About a half hour drive on Interstate 5 to the north is the town of Yreka, home of the Blue Goose steam train excursion, where you can enjoy a fun three-hour tour.

Explore Caves at Lake Shasta

If you’re willing to drive a little bit south on Interstate 5, then you can you can see the unique and beautiful Lake Shasta cavern with all its interesting formations. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Mount Shasta. Be prepared for wet conditions, and some of the caves have a low ceiling, so you will need to watch your head. The lake area also offers a variety of outdoor activities, including camping and hiking.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Mount Shasta, California.