Trails around Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake, California, USA Tourism and recreation information Boat Safe and Sober

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Map of hiking trails (179K- .jpg file)

Many of the trails at Shasta Lake follow the lake shoreline. They offer plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, running, fishing, sightseeing and wildlife viewing. Three of these shoreline trails, Bailey Cove, Packers Bay, and Clikapudi, make loops and return to their point of origin via a different route. Bailey Cove is the shortest of these trails and also the easiest.

Clikapudi Trail is the most extensively developed trail at the lake and requires about two hours to walk. It is also very popular with mountain bikers, equestrians and trail runners. There is a separate brochure for Clikapudi Trail.

The trail at Dry Fork was developed to assist fishermen get into the good fishing areas near Shasta Dam. At Hirz Bay, a trail connects the Hirz Bay and Dekkas Rock campgrounds. This is an easy trail and especially pleasant in the summer during warm evening or cool morning hours.

Two trails lead away from the lake. The Sugarloaf trail follows a shaded, heavily wooded creek into the surrounding mountains. The Samwel Cave Nature Trail climbs through limestone rock formations to the mouth of this interesting and historically significant cave. A brochure is available that describes the natural and cultural history surrounding Samwel Cave.

Longer trails suitable for overnight hikes are not developed around the lake. Summertime temperatures at Shasta Lake are generally not suited for extensive hiking except near the lakeshore. Excellent local backpacking opportunities can be found to the north in Castle Crags Wilderness and Castle Crags State Park, in the Mt. Shasta Wilderness, along the Pacific Crest Trail and Squaw Valley Creek Trail. Brochures are available for all of these areas.

The Greens Creek Trail is unique in that it is only accessible by boat. It climbs from either the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake or the Squaw Creek Arm. From either side it is a steep, but rewarding climb to the summit between the two drainages. The top of the ridge is rugged with amazing limestone formations and the view from the top is beautiful.

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Clikapudi Trail... 8 miles
Begins... Jones Valley Boat Ramp Parking Lot
Ends... Jones Valley Boat Ramp Parking Lot
Use... mountain biking, horseback riding, running and hiking

The name Clikapudi comes from the Wintu "Klukupuda" which means "to kill," referring to a local battle between Wintu Indians and local traders in the 1800s. This is one of the more popular trails on Shasta Lake, and is excellent for mountain biking, horseback riding, running and hiking.

It is accessible from three trailheads, one at the footbridge at Jones Valley Campground, also at the Jones Valley Boat Ramp parking lot (north and south sides), and halfway between, where the trail crosses forest road 33N03. The main loop, beginning and ending at the boat ramp parking lot, is 8 miles long. That part of the trail from the campground to Forest Road 33N03 is approximately 11/4 miles long.

This is a beautiful trail for hiking in the spring and fall, and on nice winter days. Summertime temperatures tend to discourage most use except in the early mornings and evenings after the sun has gone down. Wildflowers are spectacular in the spring, and there are nice vistas across the Pit Arm of Shasta Lake.

The trail climbs and descends through a forest of mixed conifer and black oak scattered with small meadows. Fishermen use the trail to access their favorite fishing spots below the trail along the Pit Arm of the lake.

Because the trail is so popular, it is important to remember common trail courtesy. Walkers give way to mountain bikers. Mountain bikers give way to horseback riders. When waiting for a horseback rider to pass, stand on the uphill side of the trail, this is less likely to spook the horse.

If you choose to hike Clikapudi in the summer, be sure and take plenty of water. Summer heat is quite severe in this area and there is no drinking water available after you leave the boat ramp parking lot, or the campground.

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Dry Fork Creek Trail... 4.7 miles
Begins... West side of Shasta Dam
Ends... At Dry Fork Creek on County Road 5G012
Use... Fishing and sightseeing

Constructed primarily to extend fishing access north of Shasta Dam, this trail is a good way to see this area. There are great views of the lake and Mt. Shasta and lots of opportunities to fish and swim. The trailhead is accessible only when the lake is down about 15 feet or more at Shasta Dam.

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Hirz Bay Trail... 1.6 miles
Begins... Hirz Bay amphitheater (10 miles from I-5 on Gilman Road)
Ends... Dekkas Rock Campground
Use... Nature study

This scenic walk follows the shoreline crossing several cool, shady creeks and provides scenic vistas of the lake.

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Samwel Cave Nature Trail... 1 mile. Boat access only.
Begins... Along the shoreline of Shasta Lake at Point McCloud just south of McCloud Bridge Campground.
Ends... At Samwel Cave.
Use... Hiking, sightseeing, and spelunking.

Signs along the trail tell the story of the relationship between the Wintu Indians and the cave. They illustrate the Wintu legends surrounding the cave and the history of its exploration and scientific significance to paleontological study. Only the first room of the cave is open to visitors without a special permit which is available at the Shasta Lake Ranger District Headquarters in Mountain Gate. Lower levels of the cave can be dangerous for visitors unfamiliar with spelunking techniques. The mouth of the cave sits high above the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake and overlooks the upper McCloud Arm with fine views. Boaters may beach south of Point McCloud. The trailhead is marked.

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Greens Creek Trail... 5.85 miles
Begins... Greens Creek Camp-ground on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake.
Ends... The shoreline of the Squaw Creek Arm of Shasta Lake just west of Bully Hill.
Use... Nature study and general hiking.

This trail climbs steeply from the Greens Creek boat-in campground 1,230 feet to the ridge above. At the ridgetop, the trail passes through fantastic limestone formations that separate the McCloud and Squaw Creek Arms of Shasta Lake. From the top of the ridge, the trail descends back to lake level near the old mining community of Bully Hill. This is an excellent spring and autumn hike with commanding views of the surrounding countryside and Shasta Lake. During summer months, it can be very hot and dry.

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Sugarloaf Creek Trail... 1 mile
Begins... Where Lakeshore Drive crosses Sugarloaf Creek (3.3 miles past Beehive Point Campground).
Ends... on Sugarloaf Road
Use... Hiking and sightseeing

This trail follows Sugarloaf Creek which is heavily forested, and quiet. Due to different habitats, the scenery is continuously interesting. Keep an eye out for poison oak... it grows all along the trail.

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Bailey Cove Trail... 2.8 miles
Begins... Bailey Cove Public Ramp (O'Brien Exit of I-5)
Ends... Bailey Cove Picnic Area
Use... Fishing and sightseeing

This is a scenic hike along the lower McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake and provides good access for fishing and sightseeing. The trail circles what was once a mountain and offers an interesting opportunity to see how exposure to the sun affects the different sides. The south facing slopes are noticeably hotter and dryer and covered with manzanita and knobcone pines which are heat tolerant. The north side of the mountain is decidedly cooler and the vegetation changes to pines and oaks, and finally to thick groves of Douglas Fir.

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Packers Bay Trails...

There are four trails in the Packers Bay Trails system, ranging from short overlooks to longer loops.

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Fish Loop Trail... 0.7 miles
Begins... Packers Bay Parking Lot.
Ends... Boat Ramp.

This is a short loop trail which provides good access for fishing and an opportunity for hiking in camping on the point (campfire permits are required).

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East Side Trail... 0.4 miles
Begins and ends... at the Boat Ramp.

A short trail to good fishing and swimming areas and ending at a vista which overlooks Packers Bay.

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Overlook Trail... 0.4 miles
Begins... at the Packers Bay Road.

The trailhead is marked (same as Waters Gulch). This is a short hike to the top of a knoll overlooking the Sacramento River Arm of Shasta Lake. There are nice views, particularly in the early morning or at sunset.

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Waters Gulch Trail... 2.8 miles
Begins... The Packers Bay Road Trailhead is marked and is about 1/4 mile before the boat ramp parking lot.
Ends... At the Packers Bay Boat Ramp.

This scenic loop starts by following a spring down to Waters Gulch. It then follows the shoreline for a ways before crossing back over a ridge to the parking lot. There is good fishing and swimming access.

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Check out the trails in Redding also at reddingtrails.com

Sacramento River Rail Trail (National Recreation Trail) - blm.gov

Google Map: Shows trails at Shasta Lake (look for the "green hikers")