Lake Shasta Vacation Guide: House Boat Rentals Things To Do

Cradled by towering pines and in the shadow of Mount Shasta, Lake Shasta is the largest artificial reservoir in California. It has been a recreation destination since 1948 and is the perfect place to water ski, fish, swim, boat, or hang out and watch the lake. Many visitors rent a Shasta Lake houseboat and spend an entire vacation floating there. Ski boat rentals are also available at a few places around the lake.

Visiting Lake Shasta What To Expect

On arrival, an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the region and all its offerings is to stop at the U.S. Forest Service visitor center in the small town of Mountain. Here, you can get information, maps, and permits. Shasta Lake is not your typical California lake; its geography is uniquely formed by the four rivers that create four “arms,” each named for the river that includes it.

Lake Shasta, California Things To Do

Lake Shasta’s Sacramento River arm is the busiest and most developed lake area. It begins at the Lakeshore resort’s north end, where hikers can enjoy a trek to Indian Creek Waterfall and then on to Shasta Dam to the south.

Standing 602 feet tall and multiple football fields wide, it is the highest spillway dam in the United States and one of the most significant concrete structures ever built, containing 6.3 million cubic yards. The outlook house near the dam offers films and displays showing highlights of dam construction during the 1940s.

Lake Shasta Pit River Arm

The second arm is the Pit River arm. The lake’s most extended arm stretches nearly 30 miles. The upper Pit is hazardous for boating and water skiing since many dead trees are in this part of the lake. However, the lower Pit is a wide basin with grand vistas. High above the water is Pit River Bridge, the highest double-decker bridge in the United States.

Upper Pit is known as Shasta Lake’s “outback.” This area is the most remote and offers no services, but it does have three primitive boat-access-only campgrounds. Many anglers consider Upper Pit to have the best bass fishing on the lake.

The McCloud arm of Lake Shasta is home to nine campgrounds, three boat ramps, four privately owned marinas, two watchable wildlife areas, eight scenic trails, and a day-use area at Bailey’s Cove. It is also the stop-off point for Shasta Caverns. The Caverns are open to the public with guided tours every hour between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and private boats can join the time on the east shore where the ferry ties up.

Squaw Creek Arm offers gravel beaches and multiple fingers reaching out into the channel, making it one of the lake’s most famous house boating areas. Because of its seclusion, this arm is also home to an assortment of wildlife, sure to please all nature lovers.

Lake Shasta House Boat Rentals

Lake Shasta Houseboat Rentals

Lake Shasta Houseboats can accommodate 6 to 20 people. There is no better way to enjoy Lake Shasta than from a houseboat. For information on renting a houseboat, ski boat, or RV camping, visit LakeShasta.com.

The lake is one of the most popular house boating destinations on the West Coast, so reservations are necessary if you want to stay on a houseboat. You can rent a houseboat in several marinas, including Bridge Bay, Jones Valley, and Silverthorn.

Where is Lake Shasta

Lake Shasta is perfect for a summer vacation, weekend getaway, or day trip. Plenty of lodging options include cabins, houseboat rentals, and hotels. The area has several campgrounds, including Lakeshore East, Antlers, and  Ellery Creek Campground. The lake is located in northern California, about 10 miles north of Redding.

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Things To Do in Northern California

Whiskeytown Recreation Area

Shasta County Day Trip Ideas

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