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With its waterfalls, alpine lakes, and snow-capped trails, Mount Shasta makes an ideal outdoor family getaway in Northern California’s scenic wilderness.
Mount Shasta and Its Surroundings
Mount Shasta rises 14,179 feet (4,322 meters) above Northern California and is the state’s fifth-highest peak. It draws hikers, campers, and climbers from around the world. Snow often covers the mountain from late fall through spring, which means most trails open between June and October. Before heading out, it’s best to check trail conditions at the Mt. Shasta Visitor Center.
We stayed in Redding and drove just over an hour to reach Mount Shasta. On arrival, clouds hid the peak, so we stopped at the visitor center for recommendations. Their staff pointed us toward waterfalls, lakes, and even the historic fish hatchery, which kept us busy until the skies began to clear.
McCloud River Falls
About 25 minutes east of Mount Shasta, McCloud River Falls is home to three waterfalls: Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls. A 4-mile round-trip trail links them along the river.
We started at the Lower Falls, where parking and restrooms are available. The trail is family-friendly, with beautiful river views. Middle Falls impressed us with its wide, dramatic cascade, framed by forest and spring wildflowers. If you have the time and energy, continue up to Upper Falls for the full experience.
Mt. Shasta Hatchery and Sisson Museum
After hiking, we stopped at the Mt. Shasta Hatchery. Established in 1888, it’s the oldest operating fish hatchery west of the Mississippi. Our kids loved feeding the trout with free pellets provided on-site.
Right next door is the Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum, which shares stories about the region’s geology, history, and the mountain itself. Together, these stops make a quick and educational detour.
Lake Siskiyou
Just a few miles from town, Lake Siskiyou is a summer favorite for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. In May, it was still too chilly for us to swim, but we enjoyed a short hike across the Wagon Creek pedestrian bridge. The views of the lake surrounded by pine forest were picture-perfect. If you’re staying overnight, nearby campgrounds and cabins make this lake a convenient base.
Castle Lake
A short 15-minute drive from Lake Siskiyou took us to Castle Lake, an alpine lake surrounded by granite peaks. This site is part of a long-term ecological research project, but for visitors it’s simply a stunning mountain lake. As we reached the shoreline, the clouds lifted and Mount Shasta finally came into view, framed by lingering spring snow.
Bunny Flat Trail on Mount Shasta
In the afternoon, we headed up to Bunny Flat Trail, one of the most accessible starting points for hikes on the mountain. The trailhead sits at about 6,900 feet, and we noticed the altitude as we climbed.
Snow still covered much of the trail, so after two hours we turned back. The kids loved the surprise of a late May snowball fight, and the panoramic views from Bunny Flat were some of the best we saw all day.
Mount Shasta City Park and Headwaters Spring
We ended our day at Mount Shasta City Park, home to Big Springs, also known as the Headwaters Spring. Here, glacial meltwater flows fresh from underground after filtering through volcanic rock. Locals bring bottles and jugs to collect the water. For us, it was a peaceful way to finish a full day of outdoor adventures.
How to Get to Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is located directly on Interstate 5, making it an easy drive from many cities on the West Coast. Approximate drive times are:
- From Redding, CA: 1 hour
- From Sacramento, CA: 3.5 hours
- From the San Francisco Bay Area: 4.5 hours
- From Portland, OR: 5 hours
Is Mount Shasta Worth Visiting?
Mount Shasta is a wonderful alternative to California’s busier parks. With alpine lakes, waterfalls, uncrowded trails, and even snow play in late spring, it’s an ideal destination for families who love the outdoors.
While one day gave us a taste, we could easily spend two or three days exploring more of the area.
More to Explore Nearby
Once you’ve explored Mount Shasta, there are more natural wonders nearby:
- Lassen Volcanic National Park – Steaming fumaroles, volcanic peaks, and alpine lakes just 1.5 hours south.
- Burney Falls – A spectacular 129-foot waterfall east of Redding, often called the “eighth wonder of the world.”
- Shasta Dam – One of the tallest dams in the U.S., with tours and sweeping views of Shasta Lake.
- Trinity Alps Wilderness – Rugged trails, granite peaks, and pristine lakes west of Redding.
