Hiking at Lake Shasta
From the water:
- Greens Creek Trail - A 5.85 mile hike each way starting at the Greens Creek boat-in campground—climbs a ridge of limestone formations that divide the McCloud arm and Squaw Creek arm, providing excellent views and ending at the old mining location Bully Hill, along the lake.
- Samwel Cave Nature Trail - Beach your boat at the trailhead, 1 mile south of the McCloud Bridge Campground—a large opening in the cavern is accessible to all, permits are required to explore the smaller portions of the cave.
In the area:
- Bear Creek Falls - A double-waterfall off of the Pit River arm of the lake—the trailhead is about 3.5 miles above Stein Creek Campground.
- Clikapudi Trail - An 8 mile roundtrip hike departing from the Jones Valley boat ramp parking lot—provides views of the Pit River arm, forests and meadows.
- Hirz Bay Trail - A 1.6 mile hike from the Hirz Bay Campground to Dekkas Rock Campground—the hike follows the shoreline of the lake, allowing for beautiful views and the crossing of refreshing creeks.
- Dry Fork Creek Trail - 4.7 mile hike starting at the west side of the dam and concluding at Dry Fork Creek on County road 5G012—this trail reveals additional locations to fish and swim at the lake, and also allows for views of Mt. Shasta.
- Black Butte Trail - A 5.2 roundtrip hike to the top of Black Butte—originally called Muir’s Peak, from the top, you can see Mt. Shasta, the Sacramento River canyon, Mt. McLaughlin in Oregon, and Mt. Eddy in the Klamath mountains to the west—trail head is off of Everitt Memorial Highway, at the Black Butte Trailhead sign turn left and go 2.5 miles then take a dirt road on the left when the road crosses an overhead powerline. Drive .5 mile on this road to a small dirt parking area.
- Potem Falls - A 69-foot waterfall emptying into the Pit River arm—from Highway 299 turn onto Fenders Ferry road and drive for 9.1 miles, a four-wheel drive may be necessary. The trailhead is at the large pullout off the left side of the road.
