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Castella, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Castella, California include the Castle Crags State Park trail. This 5.5-mile hike is a top pick for its scenic views of granite spires, the Sacramento River, and Mount Shasta. The trail's difficulty level is moderate, making it a must-visit for those seeking outdoor adventures. Additionally, the Pacific Crest Trail, an iconic long-distance hiking trail, passes through the park, offering further exploration opportunities. For water-related activities, the Sacramento River offers fishing and rafting spots. Nearby, Lake Siskiyou provides a perfect setting for boating, swimming, and fishing. This area is rich in natural beauty and offers a variety of outdoor activities making it a top choice for those seeking the best of California's outdoors.

Top Spots in and near Castella

  • Castella, California

    Hike Crags Trail to Castle Dome

    4.4
    5.1 mi / 2135 ft gain
    One of the gems in the Shasta area, Castle Crags. You can spot these dramatic granite towers from a distance and their jagged formations beckon climbers and hikers alike. Imagine a slice of the Dolomites plucked out of Italy and placed in Northern California. Crags Trail to Castle Dome winds up t...
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  • Dunsmuir, California

    Mossbrae Falls

    5.0
    3.01 mi
    Disclaimer: Hiking to the falls is trespassing. Fines can be as much as $300. If you choose to hike to the falls, you're doing so at your own risk so please be cautious and cognizant of your surroundings. If you live anywhere near Northern California or Southern Oregon, you may have heard about ...
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  • Dunsmuir, California

    Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake

    5.0
    2.46 mi / 719 ft gain
    Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Dunsmuir, California.
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  • Dunsmuir, California

    Hike to Heart Lake in the Klamath Mountains

    4.5
    2.2 mi / 600 ft gain
    Scenes like this are rarely so accessible. Heart Lake is nestled in a bowl below Castle Peak, on the edge of the Castle Crags Wilderness just west of I-5 and the city of Mt. Shasta. The parking lot and trailhead are both located on the shore of Castle Lake, a much larger lake that is stunning in ...
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  • Siskiyou County, California

    Climb Mt. Shasta via Avalanche Gulch

    5.0
    11 mi / 7200 ft gain
    The Avalanche Gulch route is the second easiest, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Shasta after the Clear Creek Route, but is by far the most popular. Many people complete this climb in one day from the trailhead, but you also have the opportunity to overnight at Horse Camp (7,950 ft.) or ...
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  • McCloud, California

    Middle McCloud Falls

    4.8
    2.49 mi / 243 ft gain
    Just 4 hours north of San Francisco, McCloud Falls offers a quick hike and swimming hole for those looking for something less crowded than Burney Falls. McCloud Falls has 3 tiers, but the middle section offers the best views by far. Getting Here To get here, park at the Fowlers Campground which...
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  • McCloud, California

    Camp at Panther Meadows

    5.0
    The Panther Meadows Campground is located in the timberline on Mt. Shasta. The free campsite has 10 sites with a fire ring and a table. The elevation of the campground is 7,500 ft, making it the highest campground on Mt. Shasta. Summer nights can get pretty cold, so make sure to bring proper atti...
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  • McCloud, California

    Hike Gray Butte

    Mount Shasta is an incredible mountain in Northern California that offers a great variety of activities. The Gray Butte trail is one of the more beautiful trails in the area, and it's not too long (2.8mi, ~2h). We arrived at Shasta by late afternoon, so it was a great hike to do when golden hour ...
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  • McCloud, California

    McCloud Middle Falls Short Trail

    3.0
    0.79 mi / 85 ft gain
    McCloud Middle Falls Short Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near McCloud, California.
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  • Mount Shasta, California

    Black Butte

    5.05 mi / 1608 ft gain
    Black Butte is hard to miss from I-5 as it winds past the city of Mount Shasta. This lava dome formed roughly 9,000–10,000 years ago and isn't a cinder cone, though it does look like one. The rock that makes Black Butte was extruded instead of spewed, then broke apart as it cooled. The jumbled re...
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  • Mount Shasta, California

    Winter Summit Black Butte

    5 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Note: February thru early March are great times to climb it for a winter ascent without snowshoes. If there is no snow seen from the south (e.g. on I-5 heading north to Mount Shasta City), don't be too worried. As long as there is snow on the surrounding peaks (e.g. Trinity Alps) around the same ...
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  • McCloud, California

    Mt. Shasta via Clear Creek Route

    11.43 mi / 7615 ft gain
    The least technical route to the summit of Mt Shasta begins at the Clear Creek Trailhead (elevation 6390 ft). Please note that although this is a less technical route, this is still dangerous and there have been deaths on Mt. Shasta because of falling rock. To start this, you should be a good hik...
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  • Pacific Crest Trail, California

    Hike or Backpack the Dead Falls Lake Trail

    5.0
    8.1 mi / 1358 ft gain
    The Dead Falls Lake Trail is perfect for families, dog, and all adventurers. In the spring and summer, there are gorgeous and abundant wildflowers. There is a perfect lunch spot at Deadfall Lake.  Close to the gargantuan Shasta, Mount Eddy is the highest peak in the Klamath Mountain. Mount Eddy o...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Stoddard Lake

    5.0
    7.01 mi / 1325 ft gain
    The trail is a bit rocky, so wear sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. While your elevation gain is only 800 total, you will travel upwards of 1,982ft in elevation given the ups and downs of the trail. At mile 1.75, there is a spring that feeds into a large meadow. At mile 3, there is another sp...
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  • Gazelle, California

    Hike the Fen Trail at Kangaroo Lake

    The Fen Trail around Kangaroo Lake is a beautiful secluded camping and hiking area in the Klamath Forest of Northern California. It connects to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), where you can hike up through Oregon and Washington to Canada, or south through to Yosemite.The trailhead starts at the Ka...
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  • McCloud, California

    Algoma Campground

    The Algoma Campsite is a free campsite along the Upper Portion of the McCloud River. It features eight sites and a pit toilet. Unlike the other campgrounds in the area, this site receives very little traffic and has no fee.  To get there, take SR 89 east from the McCloud Ranger Station for 13 mi...
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Camping and Lodging in Castella

Girard Ridge Lookout
Castella, California

Girard Ridge Lookout

LOGE Mt. Shasta
Mount Shasta, California

LOGE Mt. Shasta

From $119 / night

Ellery Creek
Gilman Road

Ellery Creek

Moore Creek
Gilman Road

Moore Creek

Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday
Mount Shasta, California

Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday

Guides, Insights and Stories from Castella

An Epic 3 Days of Backpacking in the Trinity Alps

An Epic 3 Days of Backpacking in the Trinity Alps

Benjamin Canevari