Shasta Lake

Shasta Dam Boulevard
Shasta Lake, California 96089
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Local Phone: (530) 275-1296
E-mail: http://www.shastalake.com/contact/

Shasta Lake, the state's largest reservoir, was created by construction of Shasta Dam, a massive project begun during the Great Depression and completed during World War II. Five towns were drowned to create the lake. While its major function is water storage, the lake is also extremely popular for recreation. Fed by three rivers—the Sacramento, the Pitt and the McCloud—its waters are clear but warm enough for swimming in summer.

Houseboating, waterskiing and wakeboarding are major summer activities. Fishing is strong year-round, with many tournaments held. Hiking and biking trails traverse the hilly terrain on the lake's edge, and many campgrounds, marinas, cabin resorts and restaurants are arrayed around its shores. The irregularly shaped lake is pocked with hundreds of coves and rimmed by mountainous country marking the southernmost extreme of the Cascade range.

Shasta Lake is about 10 miles north of Redding and crossed by Interstate 5.

Photo: Janet Fullwood

lake, redding, boating, fishing, houseboating, camping, trails, bike, hike, eagles, cascades

Put Tails to Trails In and Around Redding

Shasta Dam / Photo: @ohana_thehusky

Like to hike? You’re in luck in the Trail Capital of California, as Redding has so aptly branded itself. The city boasts some 80 miles of trails within its city limits and hundreds more within a 20-mile radius of its core.

A heads up: there are still a few trails closed in the Whiskeytown area, but other than annual maintenance, most of the region's trails are open, and most are dog-friendly. You can check the status of your favorite trail by clicking on the link above and viewing the Trail System Overview tab. more »

Paw-Friendly ‘Must See’ Redding Attractions

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay <br/> Photo Credit: @heartbreaker_fluff

Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay
Photo Credit: @heartbreaker_fluff

Whatever your plans, you’ll want to start with a lingering visit to the Sundial Bridge, a pedestrian span over the Sacramento River designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Its 214-foot, angled iron pylon serves as a gnomon, making it the world’s largest sundial. The bridge is a thing of grace and beauty that’s been pulling cars off the highway since it opened in 2004. Dog-friendly trails hug the river on both sides, and parking is free and plentiful. more »

Hop On A Houseboat With Your Pup

Photo Credit: buckygail (CC)

Water, sun, stars, memories. A houseboating vacation provides them all, plus a lot of novelty for first-timers.

While Shasta Lake is justly known as the house-boating capital of California, it’s not the only body of water where you can herd your friends and family (including your pup, of course) aboard and say “anchors aweigh” on a slow-moving, waterborne vacation. more »

Rush On Up to Redding

Nala celebrating her birthday on the trail - Shasta Dam <br/> Photo Credit: larryvaupel

Nala celebrating her birthday on the trail - Shasta Dam
Photo Credit: larryvaupel

Lace up your hiking boots, load Lucy into the car and get a grip on your leash: you’ll need it when you see how excited she’ll become upon encountering a multitude of new sights and smells in dog-friendly Redding, your gateway to the eight-county Shasta Cascade region. On a clear day, the 13,162-foot, snow-covered cone of Mount Shasta fills the windshield during the 2.5-hour drive up Interstate 5 from Sacramento. It’s a looming landmark and constant reminder that you’re leaving the Central Valley behind and entering the rugged landscapes of the Cascade range. more »

Rev Up In Redding

The good life, Shasta Lake. Photo Credit: @themurphdawg_

Redding (population about 100,000) is the Shasta Cascade region’s largest city, and it’s a great place to make base camp with your four-legged friend. The “must-do” activities: stroll the iconic Sundial Bridge, wander the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail, walk across the massive dam containing the waters of Shasta Lake, largest reservoir in California. more »

Three Must-See’s For You And Your Dog

Fetch at the Sundial Bridge. Photo Credit: Laurinda Willard

Shasta Dam, the second-largest concrete dam in the United States (after Grand Coulee in Washington) is a wonder to behold, as is Shasta Lake, the largest reservoir in California. If it’s your first trip to Redding, put the pair of them high on your “must-see-and-do” list. The 602-foot-tall dam, begun during the Great Depression and completed during World War II, can be viewed from a vista point on Highway 151, the scenic road leading to the dam from Interstate 5 (exit No. 685). more »

Take A Fall Hike Around Redding

Photo Credit: Leia Palin

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Fall is a particularly nice time to take in the views from the Upper Sacramento Ditch Trail, which traces the route of a historic waterworks that once supplied miners’ sluice boxes. Three bridges along the northern part of the path span gorges that gush with waterfalls in springtime and offer arresting views of Shasta Lake and Keswick Reservoir at any time of year. more »

Butte County Getaway With Humphrey

Bidwell Park

Just an hour north of Sacramento, Butte County is a great place for an outdoorsy getaway with your canine companion. The surprises start in the county seat of Chico, home to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, a California State University Campus and Bidwell Park, more than three times larger than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at 3,618 acres. more »

Feast Your Eyes On Something Wet

Photo Credit: lostintheredwoods (CC)

As the drought continues (come on, El Niño!), the mere sight of a sizeable body of water becomes ever more revered. And while Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, has shrunk to a shadow of its former self, nearby Whiskeytown Lake, centerpiece of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, is kept full almost to the brim. Boaters, kayakers and hikers with furry companions have an advantage here, as dogs are allowed on almost all the park’s 70 miles of trails and everywhere along the lake’s shoreline except at four designated swimming beaches. more »

Redding, Trail Capital of California

Redding calls itself the Trail Capital of California for good reason: more than 200 miles of paved and natural surface trails have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Fall is an exceptional time to enjoy the views from the Upper Sacramento Ditch Trail, which traces the route of historic waterworks that once supplied miners’ sluice boxes. more »

Tails on Trails

Redding calls itself California’s Trail Capital, and for good reason: about 100 miles of trails, both paved and natural-surface, have been developed in and around the city through private and public partnerships. Three bridges along the northern part of the path span gorges that gush with waterfalls in springtime and offer arresting views of Shasta Lake and Keswick Reservoir at any time of year. more »

Just Lake It

Photo Credit: The Humane Society of the United States (CC)

The moon is bright, the water calm. An owl hoots, a fish flops. Fido perks his ears. No, you’re not camping: You’re floating through the weekend on a houseboat.

Whether you opt for a stripped-down model sleeping six or a floating palace that can handle a crowd, there’s nothing like a waterborne vacation to bring out your inner Huck Finn. more »

Ruffing It In Redding

Kayla on Sundail Bridge

Kayla on Sundial Bridge Hang onto your leash: You'll need it to steady yourself when you get your first close-up look at Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge. The stunning pedestrian structure designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava links dog-friendly trails on both sides of the Sacramento River and is a major visitor attraction in this part of the state. Start off with a stroll over the glass-decked span and let Rover splash at the water access points on the far side. more »

Bark If You Like Houseboating

To look at beautiful, blue Shasta Lake is to want to be on it, and there’s no better way to soak up the scenery than on a houseboat. Seven marinas on California’s largest reservoir maintain fleets of houseboats for rent, and Shasta is considered the houseboating capital of the world. more »

Houseboating Basics

Houseboats at Jones Valley Marina.
Photo: Janet Fullwood

Houseboat rentals are available on many Northern California lakes and waterways, but—just as with hotels—not all rental companies welcome dogs, and some that do limit canines to just one or two of their oldest, least desirable boats. Before you get your heart set on that deluxe model with a rooftop hot tub, faux fireplace and big-screen TV, be sure to ask. In competitive markets such as Lake Shasta, you'll find lots of dog-friendly options. more »

Houseboating Capital of California

Jones Valley Resort at Shasta Lake.
Photo: Janet Fullwood

Houseboats can be rented from seven marinas on Northern California's largest—and arguably most beautiful—reservoir.

Shasta Lake is the houseboating capital of California, if not the world, and for good reason.

The lake's 360 miles of jagged shoreline are indented with cove after cove where houseboaters can anchor out in solitude or bob in the company of others. more »

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