Vicinity Map

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

Shasta Lake

Trinity Center

Coee Creek

Shasta Unit

Gilman Road

Trinity Lake

Shasta Lake

Lewiston Lake

Redding

Shasta

French Gulch

Weaverville

Trinity Unit

Whiskeytown Unit

Whiskeytown Lake

Lewiston

Lakehead

299

Fenders 

Ferry Road

3

105

106

299

0

Scale: in miles

5 10

44

I-5

8GO

12

Welcome to the Shasta Unit

The Shasta Unit is one of three units that comprise the 

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. It was 

established by Congress in 1965. These areas were recognized 

for their unique and varied recreation potential. 

Shasta Lake forms the core of the Shasta Unit and oers 

recreationists a variety of outdoor activities including: boating, 

wildlife viewing, water-skiing, swimming, shing, camping, 

picnicking, hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing and mountain biking.

The Shasta and Trinity Units are located in the Shasta-Trinity 

National Forest and are administered by the USDA Forest Service. 

Whiskeytown Lake is administered by the National Park Service.

More than meets the eye

Shasta Lake, “Keystone” of the Central Valley Project, is the largest 

human made reservoir in California. When full, its 370 mile 

shoreline exceeds that of San Francisco Bay. Shasta Dam is the 

second largest concrete dam in the United States. It was 

constructed between 1935 and 1945. The lake was lled in 1948.

The construction of Shasta Dam impounded three major north 

state rivers: the Pit, McCloud, and Sacramento. Referred to as arms, 

each one retains its own character, environment, history, and 

recreation opportunities.

People who have never been to Shasta Lake may get the 

impression that they are seeing several lakes as they pass by on 

Interstate 5. In a way, there really are more lakes than one.

The rugged country, ragged shoreline, and sheer size of Shasta 

Lake tends to break the lake into dierent areas, each with its 

own opportunities, moods, and settings.

Things to do and see around the lake

Shasta Lake is one of the dominant features in Northern California. 

Visitors along Interstate 5 can see the lake from Antlers Bridge, 

O’Brien Rest Area, and the Pit River Bridge. The“Three Shastas” - 

Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, and Mt. Shasta, can be seen from the 

Shasta Dam Vista Point. 

Shasta Dam Tour The Bureau of Reclamation operates 

Shasta Dam to provide a variety of services including: irrigation, 

power generation, ood control, and recreation. For more 

information about Shasta Dam or the Visitor Center hours and 

guided tours, call 530-275-4463.

Wildlife Viewing Shasta Lake is home to the largest nesting 

population of bald eagles on one reservoir in the State of 

California. There are numerous sites along the shoreline, as well 

as out on the lake, to view these magnicent birds. Bald eagles 

are sensitive during their breeding season, which occurs 

between January and the end of July. You can help protect our 

National Symbol by obeying posted signs and protection zones. 

Please help us by enjoying them from a distance. Packers Bay, 

Jones Valley and Hirz Bay are prime locations from which to view 

a wide variety of wildlife including Shasta Lake’s population of 

bald eagles, ospreys, and other migratory birds. Packers Bay is a 

designated wildlife viewing site.

Water-skiing, Wakeboarding and Tubing These water sports 

are popular everywhere on the lake, but the Sacramento Arm is 

particularly favored. The water there is generally calm and ideally 

suited for these sports. Boaters should 

always use caution in the Pit Arm 

where standing snags have not been 

removed, and around oating debris. 

Water-skiing, Wake-boarding, and 

Tubing are prohibited in posted areas. 

In addition, smaller coves and bays are 

posted with 5mph speed limits.

Fishing The waters of Shasta Lake provide 

excellent shing opportunities. Popular spots 

are located where the major rivers and 

streams empty into the lake.

Caving Samwell Cave opens out from a limestone crag 

overlooking a northern portion of the McCloud Arm of Shasta 

Lake. It provides a unique and rewarding experience to its 

visitors. A special visitor permit is required to enter the cave. 

Entrance to the cave is limited and access is restricted by a 

locked gate. The key and permit can be obtained at the Shasta 

Lake Visitor Information Center. It is recommended that you 

call ahead at 530-275-1589, and check on the availability of the 

key for entrance to the cave.

Shasta Caverns Tour The caverns began forming over 250 

million years ago in the massive limestone of the Gray Rocks 

visible from Interstate 5. Shasta Caverns are located o the 

Shasta Caverns / O’Brien exit #695. The caverns are privately 

owned and tours are oered year round. For schedules and 

information call (530) 238-2341.

O Highway Vehicles The Chappie-Shasta O Highway Vehicle 

Area is located just below the west side of Shasta Dam and is 

managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It spans the 

Trinity Divide between Shasta Dam and Clear Creek to the west 

and oers hundreds of miles of trails and roads for o road 

riding, driving, and mountain biking. Shasta Campground and 

the OHV Staging Area below Shasta Dam provide access to the 

area and services to riders. For more information, please 

contact the Bureau of Land Management at 530-224-2100, or 

on the web at: www.blm.gov/ca/redding.

Hirz Mountain Lookout Perched atop a rocky outcrop high 

above the McCloud River Arm of Shasta Lake, the historic Hirz 

Mountain Lookout oers spectacular views in all directions. 

From an elevation of 3,540 feet, the lookout overlooks the 

snow-laced peak of Mt. Shasta to the north, Mt. Lassen to the 

southeast, and the gray limestone exposures of Hirz Mountain 

itself. The narrow blue-green ribbon of the McCloud River Arm 

winds past the east side of Hirz Mountain, extending north and 

south as far as the eye can see.

The Hirz Mountain Lookout was originally a 12 x12 foot square 

structure that sat at on the ground. The mountain was a 

strategic location for detecting res because it had a direct 

view into the headwaters of the McCloud river and most of its 

tributaries. In 1937, the Forest Service and the Civilian 

Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees rebuilt the Hirz Mountain 

Lookout cab, which was a 14 square foot “BC-3” live in cab, a 

garage and outhouse. It was one of the last CCC-era lookouts 

to be built. In 1949, a steel tower was added; constructed of a 

steel K-brace tower that stands 20 feet above ground level.

The Hirz Mountain Lookout can be reserved from May 1st 

through October 15th (weather permitting), by contacting the 

National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or 

on the web at: www.recreation.gov

Swimming Shasta Lake has no developed swimming areas. 

Many people swim from the shore near their campgrounds or 

from boats. Visitors are urged to avoid areas with heavy boat 

trac. Swimming is prohibited at boat ramps.

Picnicking Picnic facilities are available at Fisherman’s Point 

near Shasta Dam, Bailey Cove, and Dekkas Rock. Day use areas 

have tables, stoves, trash, and restroom facilities. These areas 

are closed to overnight camping.

Hiking The trails at Jones Valley, Packers Bay, Bailey Cove, Shasta 

Dam, and Hirz Bay provide great hiking, trail running, mountain 

biking, and some horseback riding opportunities. They provide 

good access to shoreline shing, secluded creeks, and 

excellent vistas within an oak and mixed conifer woodland. 

Since summer days are often hot and dry, be sure to carry 

water. Better still, hike trails in the late fall, winter, or spring 

when the weather is cool. Wildowers are abundant from late 

January through June. Unless otherwise posted, hiking trails 

are open all year. Keep an eye out for poison oak... it grows all 

along these trails.

Boating With 10 commercial marinas on Shasta Lake, there is a 

wide range of boating opportunities. Houseboats, jet skis, patio 

boats, canoes, paddle boats, and shing boats are all available 

for rent at these marinas.

Launching The Forest Service maintains seven public ramps with 

parking areas, which provide access to most areas around the lake. 

Bailey Cove, Centimudi, and Jones Valley Ramps are

often congested on summer weekends. Packers Bay, 

Antlers, and Hirz Bay are recommended alternatives during 

periods of heavy use. Low water ramps are located at 

Jones Valley, Sugarloaf, and Centimudi. Additional 

launching facilities may be available at commercial 

marinas. Fees are required at all boat launching facilities.

Campground and Camping 

Information

There is a broad spectrum of camping facilities, ranging 

from the primitive to the luxurious. At the upper end of 

the scale, there are 10 marinas and a number of resorts 

oering rental cabins, motel accommodations, and RV 

parks and campgrounds with electric hook-ups, swimming 

pools, and showers. Additional information on Forest 

Service facilities and services oered at private resorts is 

available at the Shasta Lake Visitor Information Center or 

on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/stnf. 

For the more independent visitor, the Forest Service oers 

13 family campgrounds. Most campgrounds have piped 

water, some have ush toilets but the majority has vault 

toilets, tables, and stoves. Showers, electric hookups, and 

RV dump services are not available at Forest Service 

campgrounds at Shasta Lake. Reservations are available for 

many Forest Service campgrounds through the National 

Recreation Reservation Service (toll free) @ 1-877-444-6777 

or on the web at www.recreation.gov.

Boat Access Camps The Forest Service operates four 

campgrounds on Shasta Lake which are accessible only by 

boat. Situated in the more remote areas of the lake, these 

camps oer a unique camping experience away from the 

headlights and trac. These camps have tables, stoves, 

and vault toilet facilities. Users are advised to bring their 

own water or to boil any surface water for at least ve 

minutes. Please pack out your trash.

Dispersed Area Camping Shasta is one of the few lakes in 

California where visitors can camp along the shore. Some 

areas are restricted such as a bald eagle nesting site, but 

even so there are several hundred miles where shoreline 

camping is permitted.

To assure the privilege of camping along the shoreline is 

not lost, help keep the area clean. Pack it in, Pack it out! 

Please dispose of trash in containers at the boat ramps. Do 

not leave it at the oating restrooms.

The Beehive, Gregory Beach, Jones Valley Inlet, and 

Mariners Point areas oer campers vehicle access to the 

shoreline of Shasta lake. These areas are generally open 

year round. Chemical toilet facilities, trash services, and 

fees may be discontinued during the o season.

Fees Most Forest Service campgrounds and all 

commercial campgrounds charge a fee. There is no fee for 

boat access campgrounds. 

Federal Recreation Lands Pass Senior Passports (age 62 

years or older) and Access Passports (for those with 

permanent disabilities, regardless of age) are a lifetime pass 

for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. Coverage 

includes access to and use of, Bureau of Land Management, 

Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of 

Reclamation, and USDA – Forest Service sites that charge 

entrance or standard amenity fees. Also provides a 50% 

discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees 

such as camping and boat launching. There is a onetime 

fee for Senior Passports.

For more information on any of these passes, please check 

with the Federal Recreation Lands Pass website at: 

www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rec-fee.shtml

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, 

political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, 

large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 

and TDD). To le a complaint of discrimination, Write to USDA, Director, Oce of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) 

or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

R5-RG-192

Shasta Lake Statistics...

• Shoreline ..................................................................... 370 miles

• Surface Area. ......................................................30,000 acres

• Storage Capacity ............................... 4,550,000 acre feet

• Dam Height ................................................................ 602 feet

• Greatest Depth ...........................................................517 feet

• Total Drainage Area ................................. 4,110,000 acres

• Average Annual Flow ................... 6.2 million acre feet

• Spillway Elevation .................................................1,067 feet

Visitor Information...

The Visitor Information Centers at the following locations 

provide maps, brochures, exhibits, and general information 

about the Shasta Unit of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity 

National Recreation Area (campre permits can be obtained 

from the Shasta Lake Visitor Center in Mountain Gate): 

• Shasta Lake Visitor Information Center

 Mountain Gate/Wonderland Boulevard exit #687 from

 Interstate 5.

 Call (530) 275-1589 (voice) 

 (530) 242-5526 (TDD)

 www.fs.usda.gov/stnf

• Shasta Dam Visitor Information Center

 Located at Shasta Dam. Take Shasta Dam

 Boulevard exit #685 from Interstate 5.

 Call (530) 275-4463

• California Welcome Center

 Located at the Factory Outlets in Anderson along

 Interstate 5, exit # 667

 Call (530) 365-1180

 www.shastacascade.org

• Concessionaire: Shasta Recreation Company

14538 Wonderland Blvd., exit #687

 Redding, CA 96003

 (530) 275-8113

 www.shastalakecamping.com

Mountain biking on Waters Gulch Trail near Packers Bay

The McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Shasta Unit

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity

National Recreation Area

Hirz Mountain Lookout

Houseboating on Shasta Lake

2011 Provided Free of Charge
0 1 2 3 4 5 miles

SCALE

Patrol or any Forest Service employee. If you have an emergency, 

please dial 911.

Garbage Receptacles are located at campgrounds, picnic areas, 

and boat ramps. Garbage is not collected at boat-in campgrounds 

and most undeveloped sites. Please pack it out to the nearest 

container. Do not bury trash or dispose of it at oating restrooms.

Pets Pets are permitted but must be on a leash and under 

restraint in campgrounds, picnic areas, and at boat ramps.

Campground Reconstruction Occasionally campgrounds 

are closed for maintenance or other work. This is part of an 

on-going program to upgrade the facilities at Shasta Lake.

Fireworks Fireworks are prohibited in all National Forests and 

Shasta County which includes all of Shasta Lake!

Firearms Firearms may not be discharged within 150 yards of 

residences, buildings, campsites or developed recreation sites, or 

across roads or bodies of water.

Some Things To Know

Firewood The gathering of dead and down wood 

for campres is allowed. No permit is necessary.

Bear Precautions The Shasta Unit IS bear country! 

Potential for encounters with bears can be reduced if 

visitors follow some very specic do’s and don’ts. A brochure called 

“Bear Precautions for Houseboating and Camping” explains what 

they are and can be obtained at the Shasta Lake Visitor Information 

Center or on the web at www.fs.usda.gov/stnf. 

Privately Owned Houseboats Authorization is needed to 

have a privately owned houseboat on Shasta Lake for more than 30 

days per calendar year. For more information, please contact the 

Shasta Lake Ranger Station @ (530) 275-1587.

Law Enforcement The Shasta County Sheri’s Department 

works closely with the Forest Service in enforcing local and 

California Boating Laws. If you need assistance, contact the Sheri’s 

www.recreation.gov. Several of the public campgrounds in the 

Shasta Lake area are on a rst come, rst serve basis.

Length of stay Campground stays are limited to 7 or 14 days, as 

posted at the campground entrance. Camping on the lake 

shoreline is limited to 14 days per year. Houseboats without Forest 

Service permits are limited to 30 days per calendar year. Picnic and 

Day Use Areas are open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Campre permits are required when using campstoves, 

hibachis, barbecues, or campres outside of a designated 

campground. Campre permits are available, at no cost, at any 

Forest Service, CAL Fire or Bureau of Land Management oce. 

Special Limitations: Some areas have special limitations regarding 

campre use. It is your responsibility to nd out what these 

limitations are. The best way to do this is by contacting a local 

agency oce in the area you intend to visit. Throughout the year, 

as re danger increases, re restrictions are put into eect. Strict 

compliance with re restrictions is required. 

Camping and Campground Information Continued...

Campsite occupancy Campsites must be occupied the rst

night and cannot be unoccupied for more than 24 hours. 

“Saving” campsites is not permitted. Checkout time for family 

campgrounds is 2:00 p.m. Checkout time for group 

campgrounds is 12:00 noon.

Group Camps Group campgrounds have many of the same 

features oered at Forest Service family campgrounds but have 

larger tables, re pits, and grills. Your group is assured exclusive 

use of the group camp. For reservations call 1-877-444-6777.

Season Most Forest Service campgrounds are open from 

Memorial Day through Labor Day. A few remain open all year. 

During the winter months, most water systems are shut down; 

however, restroom facilities are available. The operating season 

for commercial campgrounds vary.

Reservations Group Campgrounds and selected family 

campground reservations are made through National Recreation 

Reservation Service (NRRS) @ 1-877-444-6777 or on the web at 

AMBULANCE • FIRE • SHERIFF • ACCIDENT

E M E R G E N C Y

DIAL 911

Mc

Cloud

River

Arm

S h a s t a Allie 

Pit

River Ar m

Jones Valley Inlet

Sacramento

Riv

er A

rm

H i r z B a y

Cove L a k e

I-5 NORTH

I-5 SOUTH

Dam

Lakeview

Holiday Harbor Bailey Cove

Horse Mtn.

Greens Creek

Packers 

Bay

Bridge Bay

Ski 

Island

Silverthorn

Mariners 

Point

Brock

Mtn

Sage Hen Hill

Madrone

Salt Creek Mtn

Bollibokka Mtn

Brock Butte

Ellery Creek

Pine Point

McCloud

Bridge

Hanland Peak

Moore Creek

Dekkas

Rock

Hirz Bay

Hirz Mtn

Lookout

Rental

Bully Hill

Green

Mtn

Killanger Pk

Bear 

Mountain

 Shasta Lake

 Ranger Station &

Visitor Information Center

O’Brien Mtn

Jones 

Valley

Jones

Valley

Sacramento Mtn

Bucks Peak

 Beaver 

Island

Madison Gl.

W e s t F o r k

Dark Can.

D i d a l l i s C r .

S e c o n d C r .

F i r s t C r.

Town Cr.

H o r s e C r e e k

Z i n c C r .

A z e l l e C r .

L i c k C a n y o n

MuseumCan.

Frenchman Gl.

McClure Gl.

Fort Cr.

Brushy Can. Reno Can.

Murphy Can.

R e y n o l d s C r .

D e a d Ho rs e C r. A r b u c k l e C r e e k

S u s a n v i l l e C a n y o n

B r o c k C r e e k

F l a t C r e e k

R i p g u t C r e e k

R o b e r t s C a n y o n

North 

Gray 

Rocks

Marble Cr.

Potter Cr.

Blue Canyon

Dark Canyon

Arbuckle 

Flat

S u g a r p i n e C a n y o n

Sugarloaf

M a d i s o n C a n y o n

S a l t C r e e k

Win n i b u l i C r .

Yc o t t i C r .

Ke l u ch e Cr.

H i r z C r .

C a m p b e l l C r e e k

D o o l e s C r e e k

Goat Cr.

Mountain Gate

D e k k a s C r e e k

M a t h l e s C r e e k

Little Round Mtn

Fenders 

Flat

P i t R i v e r

Devils Rock

Winnibulli 

 Mtn

P o t e m C r e e k

Minnesota

 Mtn

C o v e C r .

C o a l C r e e k

Town

Mtn

Jones Valley Inlet

Hirz Bay Trail

Packers Bay Trails

No waterskiing beyond 

Browns Canyon

Woods Island

W a t e r s G l .

Clikapudi 

Trail Wildcat Canyon

Rend

Island

Pit River 

Bridge

Shasta 

Caverns

Shasta 

Caverns

Jones 

Valley

Potem Falls

Trail

Government

Dock

7H0

09

5H

02

4 J

02

to Redding

to Redding

to Burney

to Dunsmuir & Mt. Shasta

Packers Bay

Monday 

Flat

Ferry

Samwel Cave

Pt. McCloud

Samwel Cave Trail

Digger Bay

Jackass Mtn

Elmore Mtn

Gooseneck Cove

Nelson Point

Sugarloaf

Beehive 

Point

Haycock 

Peak

Lakeshore East

Gregory Creek

Antlers

B a c k b o n e

C r e e k I n l e t

Bohemotash Mtn

Mammoth Butte

B a c k b o n e C r e e k

L i t t l e B a c k b o n e C r .

Dry Creek Trail

Shasta

Centimudi

Bass 

Mtn

Chain Gang Gl.

Browns Can. Lakehead

S t e i n C r e e k

L i c k G u l c h B a

c k b

o

n

e

R i d

g

e

Alder Gl

Adler Gl

Elmore Cr.

Bull Cr.

Limerock Gl.

Butcher Cr.

C h a r l i e C r e e k

D o n e y C r e e k

I n d i a n C r e e k

Gr e g o r y Cr e e k

N e l s o n C r e e k

G i b s o n C r .

J o h n n y S i s k C r . C a m p b e l l C r e e k

M i d d l e S a l t C r e e k

Sugarloaf

D o g C r e e k

S u g a r l o a f C r e e k

Shake Tree Gl.

Shoemaker Creek

Shoemaker Gl.

Dr y Fork

Keswick Lake

Digger 

 Bay

Fisherman’s 

Point

Gregory Beach

Lakeshore Station

Slaughterhouse 

Island

O’Brien Creek Inlet

Elmore

Bay

Halfway Cove

Salt Creek Inlet

S a c r a m e n t o

R i v e r

Antlers

Chappie-Shasta OHV Staging Area

Bass 

Cove

No Name 

Island

Lower Salt Creek No waterskiing 

above this point

A18

5G0

12

7H0

01

8G0

12

151

No waterskiing 

above this point

to Trinity Lake & 

Trinity Center

Shasta

Bear Canyon 

Falls

Bear Canyon

Panther Creek

Frost Gulch

to Bella Vista & Highway 299

Curl Creek

N o s o n i C r e e k

Shasta Lake

City

Shasta Dam Blvd

D gi ger Bay Rd

Lake Blvd

Bear Mountain Road

Union School Rd

Dry Creek Road

Fenders Ferry Road Potem Falls

S a l t C r e e k

Goose Gap

Shasta Park Rd 151

O’Brien

O’Brien

Exit

Lakehead Rest Area

Vollmers

34N17

Sacramento

River 

Rail 

CAUTION!

Water levels in Shasta Lake can uctuate dramatically on 

a daily basis as well as seasonally. For more information 

pick up a free copy of the Shasta Lake Boating Safety

brochure available at any Forest Service Oce, Commercial 

Marina, Resort or Boat Launching Facility.

35N08

35N06

Lakeshore Drive

35N20

34N27

4WD

4WD

35N05

34N02

34N02A

35N04

35N21

35N03

35N02

35N46

35N07

35N21

35N18

35N56

Fenders Ferry Road

34N17

I-5

I-5

I-5

707

702

Sugarloaf Trail

698

695

Bailey Cove

694

692

690

689

687

685

Gilman Road

Wonderland Boulevard

Old Oregon Trail

27

27

27

27

5JO

50

299

Chirpchatter Mtn

Backbone Ridge Road

SHASTA UNIT

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area

Chirpchatter

Shasta Dam

Fenders Ferry

Road

Town or City

Ranger Station

Other Forest Service Facility 

Campground, Forest Service

Campground, Non-Forest Service

Group Campground

Boat-in Campground

Undeveloped Campground, F.S.

Day Use, Forest Service

Day Use, Non-Forest Service

Boat Ramp

Accessible Boat Ramp

Marina, Commercial

Amphitheater

Watchable Wildlife Site

Trail, Forest Service

Trail, Non-Forest Service

Cave

O-Highway Vehicle Area, F.S.

O-Highway Vehicle Area, Non-F.S.

Lookout

Point of Interest, Commercial

Primary Highway

Freeway Exit #

Paved Road

Improved Road, Dirt

Unimproved Road 

(not maintained for passenger cars)

Trail

Locked Gate

Private Land within 

Shasta Unit - 

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National 

Recreation Area

689

MAP LEGEND