Cradled by towering pines and in the shadow of Mount Shasta, Lake Shasta is the largest artificial reservoir in California. Lake Shasta has been a recreation destination since 1948 and is the perfect destination to water ski, fish, swim, boat, or go hang out and watch the lake.
Many visitors rent one Shasta Lake houseboat and spend an entire vacation floating on the lake. Ski boat rentals are also available at a few places around the lake.
Visiting Lake Shasta What To Expect
On arrival, an excellent way to acquaint oneself with the region and all its offerings is by stopping at the U.S. Forest Service visitor center in the small town of Mountain. Here you can get information, maps, and permits.
Shasta Lake is not your typical just one vast body of water type lake; the lake’s geography is uniquely formed by the four rivers that create four “arms,” each named for the river that includes it.
Things To Do and See
Lake Shasta’s Sacramento River arm is the busiest and most developed area of the lake. This area begins at the north end at the Lakeshore resort, where hikers can indulge in a quick day trip to Indian Creek Waterfall, and end at Shasta Dam to the south.
Standing 602 feet tall and multiple football fields wide, it is the highest spillway dam in the United States and one of the most significant concrete structures ever built, containing 6.3 million cubic yards of the stuff.
The outlook house near the dam offers films and displays showing highlights of dam construction during the 1940s. The second arm is the Pit River arm. The lake’s most extended arm stretches nearly 30 miles.
Since there are many dead trees in this part of the lake, the upper Pit is hazardous for boating and water skiing. However, the lower part of the Pit is a wide basin with grand vistas. High above the water is Pit River Bridge, the highest double-decker bridge in the United States.
Upper Pit is known as Shasta Lake’s “outback,” this area is the most remote and offers no services, but it does have three primitive boat access-only campgrounds. Many anglers consider Upper Pit to have the best bass fishing on the lake.
McCloud arm of Lake Shasta is home to nine campgrounds, three boat ramps, four privately owned marinas, two watchable wildlife areas, eight scenic trails, and a day-use area at Bailey’s Cove. It is also the stop-off point for Shasta Caverns.
The Caverns are open to the public with guided tours every hour between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and private boats can join the time on the east shore where the ferry ties up.
Squaw Creek Arm offers gravel beaches and multiple fingers reaching out into the channel, making it one of the lake’s most famous house boating areas. Because of its seclusion, this arm is also home to a large concentration of wildlife, sure to please all nature lovers.
Lake Shasta House Boat Rentals
Lake Shasta House Boats sleep from Houseboats that accommodate 6 to 20 people. There is no better way to enjoy Lake Shasta than from a houseboat. For information on renting a houseboat, ski boat, or RV camping, visit LakeShasta.com.
The lake is one of the most popular house boating destinations on the west coast, so reservations are necessary if you want to stay on a houseboat. There are several Marinas where you can rent a houseboat Bridge Bay, Jones Valley, and Silverthorn.
Where is Lake Shasta
Lake Shasta is perfect for a summer vacation, weekend getaway, or day trip. There are plenty of lodging options, including cabins, houseboat rentals, and hotels. The area has several campgrounds, including Lakeshore East Campground, Antlers Campground, and Ellery Creek campground. The lake is located in northern California, about 10 miles north of Redding.