Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shasta Dam DAM
(
530-275-4463; www.usbr.gov/mp/ncao/shasta/ ; 16349 Shasta Dam Blvd;
visitor center
8am-5pm, tours 9am-3pm)
On scale with the enormous natural features of the area, this colossal, 15-million-ton dam
is second only in size to Grand Coolie Dam in Washington state (Hoover Dam in Nevada
is the fourth biggest - but the tallest in the country). The dam is found at the south end of
the lake on Shasta Dam Blvd.
Built between 1938 and 1945, its 487ft spillway is as high as a 60-story building - three
times higher than Niagara Falls. Woody Guthrie wrote 'This Land Is Your Land' while he
was here entertaining dam workers. The Shasta Dam visitors center ( 530-275-4463;
8:30am-4:30pm) offers fascinating free guided tours at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily
of the structure's rumbling interior - but skip the movie.
Lake Shasta Caverns CAVE TOUR
( www.lakeshastacaverns.com ; adult/child 3-11yr $22/13; tours 9am-4pm; )
High in the limestone megaliths at the north end of the lake hide these prehistoric caves.
Tours of the crystalline caves operate daily and include a boat ride across Lake Shasta, and
the office has a spacious play area for kids. The Cathedral Room is particularly stunning.
Bring a sweater as the temperature inside is 58°F (14°C) year-round.
To get there, take the Shasta Caverns Rd exit from I-5, about 15 miles north of Redding,
and follow the signs for 1.5 miles.
Sleeping & Eating
Hike-in camping and RV parks are sprinkled around the shores of the lake, and houseboats
are a wildly popular option. Most houseboats require a two-night minimum stay. Make re-
servations as far in advance as possible, especially in the summer months. Houseboats
usually sleep 10 to 16 adults and cost around $1600 to $8400 per week. The RV parks are
often crowded and lack shade, but they have on-site restaurants. If you want to explore the
area on a day trip, stay in Redding.
US Forest Service (USFS) Campgrounds CAMPGROUND
(
877-444-6777; www.reserveusa.com ; tent sites $10-20)
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