If you’re a first-timer to Shasta Lake, you’re going to want to make sure the following destinations, attractions, and things to do are on your vacation agenda.
If you love…water AND
- Nature
- Gorgeous views
- And plenty of time with the family
Then you’re going to love Shasta Lake! Found in a quiet corner of northern California, this 30,000-acre vacation destination is the largest reservoir in California.
It features 370 miles of shoreline that connect with secretive coves and miles of on-the-water entertainment.
1. Shasta Dam
This marvel of engineering inspired Woody Guthrie to write the American ode “This land is your land” – a song he created while he was working on the dam’s arch barrier.
With a spillway that is three times the height of Niagara Falls, the Shasta Dam is an awe-inspiring sight that extends more than 600 feet high. Simply put, expect to have your breath taken away!
2. Shasta Caverns
Accessible by houseboat, the Shasta Caverns provide a unique geologic adventure via an underground landscape that started to form roughly 250 million years ago.
A tour through the caves provides amazing and fascinating views of stalactite and stalagmite formations. There are other fun family activities – such as gem mining – available at the site.
3. Mount Shasta and Castle Crags
You can admire these sites with a quick trip north of Shasta Lake.
The continually snowcapped Mount Shasta hovers 14,000 feet above sea level. The Castle Crags provide a unique addition to the local landscape with rugged granite peaks that poke out over the evergreens.
4. Subway Caves
Did you know you can safely visit a volcano with a visit to Shasta Lake? Just southeast of Shasta Lake, and close to Burney Falls, which is a particularly gorgeous waterfall, lies the wholly unique Subway Caves.
These caves are the site of an ancient volcano that, after erupting, created an underground lava tube that formed when new lava formed a pathway through old cooled lava, forming a collection of tunnels.
You can explore these tunnels or lava tubes via the 1/3 mile long trail that ventures underground. Just be sure and bring a jacket and flashlight – the continually dark tubes remain a cool 46 degrees all year long!
5. French Gulch
Just west of Shasta Lake, you’ll find a charming town that’s ideal for a lazy day of sightseeing. Known as French Gulch, this charming destination has a unique location with a main street that hugs the side of a jagged mountain.
A great spot for history buffs, French Gulch, was a popular destination for miners in the 19th century. This bustling past comes to life through remaining:
- Outbuildings
- Structures
- And other telltale signs of its mining roots
6. The Water
Of course, one of the most popular attractions in this corner of California is Shasta Lake itself! A Mecca for boating, watersports, fishing, camping, hiking, and miles of fun on the water, it’s not unusual for folks to enjoy long and lingering days just soaking up the stunning natural scenery.
Contact Us Today
From relaxing on a houseboat deck to sliding down your private waterslide, you may very well find that most of your vacation is spent onboard, just enjoying and toasting the day.
Don’t wait to take a trip to Shasta Lake! Give us a call today at 1.800.752.9669.