Mount Shasta Road Trip

Mount Shasta is a wonderful road trip destination for nature lovers who appreciate mountainous landscapes. However, before you get on the road, you’ll want to ensure you have everything you need for a successful vacation. 

We’re here to help with everything from Mount Shasta road trip itineraries to choosing travel accommodations like class B RV rental. Keep reading as we outline everything you’ll need for your road trip, starting with a San Francisco camper van rental.

How Do You Plan a Mount Shasta Road Trip?

Before you start your road trip, it’s important to make plans ahead of time. Here are the steps you should take:

• Determine your driving route and any stops you want to make to Mount Shasta. A great option is to drive from San Francisco to Mount Shasta. 
• Check driving times and distances to know how long you’ll be on the road. 
• Reserve accommodations like a campsite and a travel vehicle. Renting a camper van is a great choice for an affordable sleeping space that stores all your essentials. 
• Check weather conditions and pack everything you’ll need, such as sunscreen, swimming gear, hiking gear, and raincoats. 
• Plan activities you want to do. If you’re searching for a Mount Shasta trip planner or Mount Shasta road trip itinerary, we’ll show you some great options later in this article. 

What Is the Best Route from San Francisco to Mount Shasta?

A San Francisco to Mount Shasta road trip is a terrific option for making several great stops there. If you’re looking at a Mount Shasta road trip map, you’ll see that the most direct route is taking I-5 N for about 275 miles, which will take about 4.5 hours to get there. 

If you want to make it to some interesting stops, here are a few of the top places people visit along the way: 

• Castle Crags State Park (just 17 minutes outside Mount Shasta) 
• Small charming towns like Winters, Woodland, and Colusa
• Mossbrae Falls and Burney Falls

What Should You Do on a 3-Day Mount Shasta Road Trip?

Many travelers find that going on a Mount Shasta road trip for three days is a great way to do the essential activities, even when they don’t have a ton of time to take off work or be away from home. You could also make it a short stop during a longer road trip across the country. Here’s an example of Mt. Shasta’s 3-day itinerary to give you some ideas. 

Day 1: Exploring Mount Shasta

Morning:

• Breakfast at Yak’s on the 5: Enjoy a hearty breakfast at this popular local eatery.
• Mount Shasta City Park: Visit the headwaters of the Sacramento River and take a leisurely walk in the park.

Afternoon:

• Hiking at Bunny Flat Trailhead: Start your exploration with an easy hike offering stunning views of Mount Shasta.
• Lunch at Lily’s Restaurant: Enjoy a meal at this charming local restaurant.

Evening:

• Lake Siskiyou: Spend a relaxing evening by the water. You can swim, rent a kayak, or enjoy the serene views.
• Dinner at The Trinity Café: Finish the day with a delicious dinner.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventures

Morning:

• Hike to Panther Meadows: This beautiful hike offers stunning views and vibrant wildflowers.
• Breakfast at The Goat Tavern: A cozy spot to fuel up for the day.

Afternoon:

• Castle Lake: Spend the afternoon at Castle Lake, where you can swim, kayak, or have a picnic by the shore.
• Lunch picnic at Castle Lake: Bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy by the lake.

Evening:

• Explore Dunsmuir: Visit this nearby town for a quaint small-town experience. Check out the botanical gardens and waterfalls.
• Dinner at Café Maddalena: A charming spot for an evening meal.

Day 3: Scenic Drives and Relaxation

Morning:

• Drive the Everitt Memorial Highway: Take a scenic drive up to the old ski bowl for breathtaking panoramic views.
• Breakfast at Berryvale Café & Grocery: A great spot to grab breakfast and some snacks for the day.

Afternoon:

• McCloud River Falls Trail: Hike this trail to see the three beautiful waterfalls along the McCloud River.
• Lunch in McCloud: Enjoy a meal in the historic town of McCloud.

Evening:

• Shasta Vortex Adventures: Experience a guided tour or meditation session to learn about the spiritual significance of Mount Shasta.
• Dinner at Seven Suns Coffee & Café: A relaxed setting to wrap up your trip.

Can You Explore Mount Shasta in One Day?

Even if you just have a day to spend at Mount Shasta, you can still get a lot out of a quick road trip here. Let’s review a Mt. Shasta 1-day itinerary to give you some ideas on how you could spend your time. 

Quick Hiking Trails and Photography Spots

Mount Shasta offers several quick hikes so you can experience this natural wonderland in a short amount of time. Some top options include:

• The Faery Falls trail. It’s a 1.2-mile hike around a beautiful waterfall. 
• McCloud River trail. It’s a slightly longer 3.5-mile hike that passes by three waterfalls. The trail is smooth and well-maintained for an easy hike. 
• Heart Lake Trail. This is a quick 1-mile hike to the lake, where you can relax, snap some great photos, or go for a swim. 

Top Viewpoints and Attractions

Some of the best viewpoints travelers try to make it to when visiting Mount Shasta are:

• Mount Shasta Vista Point
• John Everitt Memorial Vista Point
• The Bunny Flats of Mount Shasta (a great place to watch the sunset)

Dining Options

To ensure you stay fueled up for your day, here are some great spots to grab a bite to eat:

• Yak’s Shack or Seven Sons Coffee for breakfast
• Lily’s Restaurant for lunch
• Trinity Cafe for dinner

Start Your Mount Shasta Road Trip Off Right by Renting from Escape Camper Vans

A reliable travel vehicle is essential for a successful road trip to Mount Shasta. We have you covered at Escape Camper Vans with our uniquely hand-painted vehicles that provide sleeping space and many helpful amenities. 

Our vans come equipped with:

• Queen size beds
• Propane stove
• Sink with a water tank 
• Foldaway tables and benches
• Refrigerator
• Extra storage
• And more

To start your journey, reserve one today in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or one of our nine other locations across the U.S. You can also contact us with any other questions.