Mount Shasta City KOA Holiday Local Attractions

Box Canyon Dam and Trail

This dam impounds the Sacramento River to form Lake Siskiyou near Mount Shasta. Completed in 1965, the 209-foot-high dam provides flood control and hydroelectric power for the region. The Box Canyon Trail is an easy, out-and-back path that parallels the rugged Sacramento River gorge just below the dam.

• Length: Approximately 1.3 to 1.5 miles round-trip.
  
• Difficulty: Easy and family-friendly with minimal elevation gain.
  
• Highlights:
  
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• Scenic Vistas: Multiple viewpoints look down into the steep, rocky canyon.
  
• The "Graveyard": A unique feature where old car bodies and appliances from the 1930s—remnants of an old dump site—are visible along the trail.
  
• Inner Gorge Spur: A more challenging spur trail uses ropes and iron ladders to allow hikers to descend to the canyon floor. 
  

Castle Crags State Park

Castle Crags State Park
 is famous for its dramatic 6,000-foot-tall granite spires that rise sharply from the surrounding forest. Located just south of Dunsmuir, this park offers a mix of intense alpine hiking and relaxing riverside activities. With 28 miles of trails, the park caters to both casual sightseers and strenuous climbers.

• Vista Point Overlook: An easy, 0.5-mile accessible trail. It provides a stunning panoramic view of the Castle Crags and Mount Shasta with minimal effort.
  
• Crags Trail to Castle Dome: The park's most popular strenuous hike. This 5.5-mile round-trip trail climbs steeply through forest and over granite rock, ending at the base of Castle Dome.
  
• Root Creek Trail: A gentle, 3.2-mile shaded path that follows a year-round flowing creek to a seasonal waterfall.
  
• Sacramento River: The river flows through the park's lower levels, offering spots for swimming and fishing. A notable pedestrian suspension bridge crosses the river at the Riverside area.
  
• Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): A segment of this legendary trail winds through the park, often used as a rest stop for long-distance hikers.
  

• Access: Located at Exit 724 on I-5, about 6 miles south of Dunsmuir and 48 miles north of Redding.
  
• Cost: The vehicle day-use fee is $8.00.
  
• Camping: The park has 76 developed campsites with fire rings and picnic tables.
  
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• Reservations: Can be made through ReserveCalifornia.
  
• Note: Some sites are near the highway/railroad and may experience noise from trains and traffic.
  

Website

Dogsledding

Dogsled Express offers a unique and exhilarating winter adventure in the shadow of Mount Shasta, allowing tourists to experience the "Old West" method of travel through guided sled dog tours.
The Experience
Visitors are pulled across pristine, snowy trails by a team of enthusiastic and well-trained Alaskan huskies. The tours are designed to be personal and educational: 

• Meet the Team: One of the highlights is meeting and petting each dog on the tour team before heading out.
  
• Majestic Scenery: The trails wind through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, offering spectacular views of Mount Shasta, Mt. Eddy, and Castle Crags.
  
• Guided Insight: Tours are led by experienced mushers—like owner Pat—who share stories about the sport, the dogs' personalities, and the local history.
  

• Location: Tours typically stage south of Mt. Shasta near the Mt. Shasta Ski Park and Mt. Shasta Nordic Center. To get there, take the McCloud exit east from I-5 onto Hwy 89, then travel approximately 6 miles to Ski Park Rd.
  
• Season: Tours generally run from opening day (December) through February, depending on snow conditions.
  
• Capacity & Pricing:
  
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• Adults: ~$95.
  
• Children: ~$55 (recommended for preschoolers and older).
  
• Sled Loads: Sleds are typically assigned 1 adult and 1 child; check with the operator for larger groups or dual-adult sleds.
  

• Dress Warmly: You will be sitting close to the snow for 20–60 minutes. Wear waterproof boots, thermal layers, and a heavy coat.
  
• Off-Season: During spring and fall, the company often offers cart rides (wheeled sleds) when snow isn't present.
  
• Photo Ops: Arrive a few minutes early to watch the dogs being harnessed—this is often the best time for photos and seeing the dogs' excitement.
  

530-467-3009

Website

Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens

A tranquil, 10-acre riverside retreat nestled within Dunsmuir City Park, right along the headwaters of the Upper Sacramento River. It is highly regarded as one of the best stops for travelers on the I-5 corridor. 

• Diverse Flora: The hilly, wooded grounds feature native species like Shasta lilies, fragrant azaleas, and prolific white dogwood that blooms beautifully in the spring. You'll also find introduced varieties such as Japanese maples and rhododendrons.
  
• Riverside Trails: Numerous walking paths meander through the park, including a scenic riparian trail that follows the rushing Sacramento River.
  
• Unique History: Visitors enter the park at a historic 1901 Baldwin steam locomotive. The adjacent baseball stadium is famous as the site where Babe Ruth once played an exhibition game.
  
• Family-Friendly Amenities: The park is free to the public and includes a playground, clean restrooms, and multiple picnic sites with barbecue grills.
  
• Events: The large meadow serves as a quiet retreat but also hosts social gatherings and the annual "Tribute to the Trees" outdoor concert in the summer
  
• Access: Turn off the main road at the "Black Train Engine" near the Community Building. Follow the road uphill and around the tennis courts to find the parking lot by the river.
  
• Leashed Pets: Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.
  
• Fly Fishing: The river access is popular with anglers fishing for wild rainbow trout.
  

530-235-4740

Website

Dunsmuir Railroad Museum / Amtrak Depot

Managed by the Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Historical Society, is a central hub for rail history located in the historic Dunsmuir Amtrak Depot. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and archives that detail Dunsmuir's origins as a vital railway stop. 

• Operating Hours: The museum is typically open every 2nd Saturday of the month from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (May through October).
  
• Admission: Entry is generally free, though donations to support the historical society are encouraged.
  
• Special Events: The museum often expands its hours during major town events, most notably the annual Dunsmuir Railroad Days held in June
  
• Siskiyou Division Archives: Since 2012, the museum has been the official home of the Southern Pacific (SP) Shasta Division archives.
  
• Railroad Display Room: Opened in 2006, this room features "Photo Walk" locomotive photographs, equipment, and memorabilia.
  
• Local History Exhibits: Beyond trains, you can find displays on early Native American settlers, including the Elinore Van Fossen Harrison Basket Collection, and the town's history as a world-class fly-fishing destination.
  
• Rail Cam: For those who can't visit in person, the society maintains a live-streaming Rail Cam on their YouTube channel to watch trains pass through the canyon in real-time.
  

530-235-0929

Website