Mount Shasta
©

Mount Shasta

A majestic volcanic peak offering spiritual retreats, alpine lakes, and year-round outdoor adventure.

Arrival airport
RDD
Airport drive
1 h 32 min · estimate
Suggested stay
2–4 days
Reservation demand
Moderate · check entry notes
Vehicle notes
A standard vehicle is fine for the main highway, but high-clearance is advised for unpaved forest service roads; check rental contracts for off-pavement restrictions.
Black Friday sale: save up to 35% off motorhome rentalsBlack Friday · ends 2 Dec — Cruise America & Cruise Canada up to 35% off. Selected dates & T&Cs apply.

Top tour

Most popular experience near Mount Shasta

Know before you go

Summit Regulations

Self-issue permits are found at the Mount Shasta Ranger Station for those venturing into the wilderness. Always verify current volcanic activity monitoring via USGS.

Highway Service

Refuel in Mount Shasta City or Weed before heading up the Everitt Memorial Highway. There are no services available once you begin the ascent into the National Forest.

Trailhead Capacity

Bunny Flat serves as the main hub and often reaches capacity early in the morning. Have a secondary plan for lower elevation trails like Castle Lake if lots are full.

Canyon Connectivity

Expect total signal loss in the McCloud River canyon and high on the mountain slopes. Download offline navigation for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest area.

Snowmelt Windows

High altitude trails may remain under snow until late August. Check the local avalanche center or ranger station for current melt-off status.

Check current conditions:Shasta-Trinity National Forest

2RVs, campervans & cars near RDD

Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4

From $245/day · typical rate

Drive-and-sleep motorhome with kitchen and bathroom.

Motorhome · Motorhome RepublicFind campervans & RVs

Sleeps 2 campervans

Est. from $95/day · typical rate

Compact van-style camper that sleeps two, easier to park.

Sleeps 2 camper · Motorhome RepublicFind campervans & RVs
American N952AA Boeing 737-900 Takeoff CLT0225.jpg — illustrative photo, not partner inventory

Flights to RDD

Check on Aviasales
©
2024 Chevrolet Malibu sedan — illustrative photo, not partner inventory
  • ✓ Compare suppliers at RDD
  • ✓ Free cancellation on many rates

Standard car rentals at RDD

Est. from $45/day · typical rate

Pick your dates and vehicle class.

Compare rates at RDD
©
2018 Mazda CX-9 SUV on a Utah road trip — illustrative photo, not partner inventory
  • ✓ Compare suppliers at RDD
  • ✓ Free cancellation on many rates

SUV rentals at RDD

Est. from $55/day · typical rate

Pick your dates and vehicle class.

Compare rates at RDD
©

A little structure. Plenty of freedom.

3 days in Mount Shasta

  1. 01

    Glacial Vistas and High Alpine Slopes

    Suggested: 8:30 AM from Mount Shasta City

    • Bunny Flat Trailhead

      The primary access point for the mountain's southern slopes, offering immediate views of the volcanic peak and the base of the climbing routes.

    • Old Ski Bowl

      Drive to the highest road-accessible point on the mountain to observe the dramatic timberline ecology and sprawling views of the Trinity Alps.

    Allow 1 hour for mountain road ascent; conditions vary with snowmelt.

    Roads above Bunny Flat typically remain closed until July.

    Pick up your vehicle at RDD →
  2. 02

    Waters of the Sacramento Headwaters

    Suggested: 9 AM from Dunsmuir

    • Mount Shasta City Park

      Visit the Big Springs area where the headwaters of the Sacramento River emerge directly from the volcanic rock.

    • Mossbrae Falls

      Observe the unique spring-fed waterfalls cascading down the canyon walls near the Sacramento River corridor.

    Allow 45 minutes for local transit; pedestrian access to falls involves specific railway safety considerations.

    Check local signage regarding private property boundaries near the river.

    Tours for today's stops →
  3. 03

    Basalt Basins and McCloud Waterfalls

    Suggested: 9:30 AM from McCloud

    • Middle McCloud Falls

      The largest of the three waterfalls on the McCloud River, featuring a wide curtain of water over a basalt ledge.

    • Lake Siskiyou

      A lower-elevation reservoir providing a mirrored reflection of the mountain's western face.

    Allow 1.5 hours for the loop between McCloud and the lake; conditions vary.

    Parking at McCloud Falls is highly limited during summer weekends.

    Find a place to stay →

Reservations · Moderate

Climbing Permits and Seasonal Road Access in High Country

While the town of Mount Shasta requires no entry fee, specialized permits are mandatory for any travel above 10,000 feet on the mountain. Wilderness permits for the day are available at trailheads, but summit passes and specific overnight zones require checking current Forest Service quotas. Access to the Everitt Memorial Highway is seasonally limited by snowpack, and reservations for developed campgrounds often fill months in advance during the short summer window.

Check official reservation info

Fly in · nearest airport

RDDMount Shasta

Redding Municipal Airport · 1 h 32 min drive

Find flights to RDD

Plan your road trip

From Redding Municipal Airport

1 h 32 min

about 69 miles by car · times vary with traffic and road closures

Get directions

Airport-to-destination drive; sightseeing stops are separate markers.

Stays near the end of your drive

3Where you'll want to sleep

RVs at Fishing Bridge RV Park (16714369882).jpg, illustrative accommodation photo©Outside the park · easier to bookWildParkRoutes's pick

RV parks near Mount Shasta on RoverPass

RV Park

Best for: RV travelers

Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.

Est. from $150/day · estimateSee stays
Camping tent on tarp.jpg, illustrative accommodation photo©Outside the park · easier to book

Campsites near Mount Shasta on Campspot

Campground

Best for: Tent camping

Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.

Est. from $35/night · estimateSee stays
Broad view of Waterton RV Campground, Alberta.jpg, illustrative accommodation photo©Outside the park · easier to book

Harvest Hosts stays on the way to Mount Shasta

Stay overnight free at wineries, farms & breweries

5,000+ unique RV stops. WildParkRoutes readers get 20% off the first year.

RV Park

Best for: RV travelers

Membership for overnight RV stays at farms, wineries and other unique spots along your route.

Est. from $150/day · estimateGet 20% off

Vrbo

Cabins & vacation rentals near Mount Shasta

Est. from $120/night · typical rate

  • Whole-home cabins and lodges
  • Kitchens and room for the crew
Search cabins on Vrbo

Expedia

Hotels & lodges near Mount Shasta

Est. from $110/night · typical rate

  • Hotels in nearby gateway towns
  • Inns and last-minute rooms
Search hotels on Expedia

4The moments you came for

Curated Trip Essentials

Five picks for Mount Shasta

Optional picks, not a complete packing or safety list. Photos from the ROCKBROS and WILDGUARDER stores. Prices as of 2026-10-19 / 2026-10-20; price, stock and shipping may change.

Plan deeper

More destinations you'll love

All destinations