A majestic volcanic peak offering spiritual retreats, alpine lakes, and year-round outdoor adventure.
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 infoFly in · nearest airport
Redding Municipal Airport · 1 h 32 min drive
Partner link · Aviasales
Checks availability with the partner directly — not a confirmed booking on our end.
Illustrative · Yellowstone National Park from Yellowstone NP, USA · Public domainOutside the park · easier to bookMinialife's pickRV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Book RV parks and campgrounds online with full hookups near the park.
Campground
Best for: Tent camping
Private campgrounds, cabins and glamping just outside the park, often with availability when park sites sell out.
Illustrative · Yellowstone National Park from Yellowstone NP, USA · Public domainOutside the park · easier to bookRV Park
Best for: RV travelers
Membership for overnight RV stays at farms, wineries and other unique spots along your route.
Vrbo
Expedia
Photos are illustrative, not actual listings. Opens Vrbo's or Expedia's own search. Minialife may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Traveling by RV near Mount Shasta?
Harvest Hosts membership: 5,000+ unique RV stops. Minialife readers get 20% off the first year.
Partner link · Harvest Hosts
Minialife may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Checks availability with the partner directly — not a confirmed booking on our end.
Class C Motorhome — Sleeps 4
From $245 / day
Sprinter Adventure Van
From $189 / day
Car rental · Car rentals at RDD
Est. from $45/day · estimate
Partner link · Aviasales
Partner link · EconomyBookings
Partner link · QEEQ
Partner link · BikesBooking
Partner link · Klook
Partner link · Tiqets
Partner links via Travelpayouts. Prices are estimates; the partner's site shows live prices. Minialife may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
A little structure. Plenty of freedom.
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.
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.
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.
Collect your vehicle at Redding (RDD) and stock up on supplies in Redding or the town of Mount Shasta before checking into local inns or mountain lodges.
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.
Sunset from the shores of Lake Siskiyou, where the alpenglow hits the peak; timing varies significantly by month.
From Redding Municipal Airport
1 h 32 min
about 69 miles by car · times vary with traffic and road closures
Airport-to-destination drive; sightseeing stops are separate markers.
Stays near the end of your drive
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.
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.
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.
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.
High altitude trails may remain under snow until late August. Check the local avalanche center or ranger station for current melt-off status.
One of the classic ways to experience Mount Shasta.
One of the classic ways to experience Mount Shasta.
One of the classic ways to experience Mount Shasta.
