Northern California
Shasta-Cascade Driving Route: Burney Falls, Mt. Shasta, and Lassen Volcanic
A 5-day Shasta-Cascade road trip from Redding to Mt. Shasta, McCloud Falls, Burney Falls, and Lassen Volcanic National Park, with hikes and stays.
By Alex Khachigian · Updated September 2026 · 3 min read
This 5-day loop from Redding, 3 hours north of Sacramento, covers Mount Shasta, Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
It lists hikes, closures and lodging.
In This Guide
When to Go
Go July to early October, when high roads are snow-free. Waterfalls peak in early summer.
See the Northern California road trips hub to add the redwoods.
Day 1: Redding and Whiskeytown
Stock up in Redding.
- Sleep: Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge, or camp at Whiskeytown
Sundial Bridge
The glass-decked Sundial Bridge crosses the Sacramento River at Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Hike to Whiskeytown Falls (3.4 miles round trip) or swim at Brandy Creek Beach.
Day 2: Shasta Lake, Dunsmuir, and Castle Crags
Three stops just off I-5.
- Sleep: Mount Shasta Resort or a cabin near Mount Shasta City
Shasta Dam and Lake Shasta Caverns
Lake Shasta Caverns tours include a boat ride; reserve in summer.
Castle Crags State Park
The steep Crags Trail climbs to granite spires facing Mount Shasta.
Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir
A short trail leads behind Hedge Creek Falls.
Day 3: Mount Shasta
See how to visit Mt. Shasta for trails and seasons.
Headwaters of the Sacramento River
Fill a bottle at the spring in Mount Shasta City Park.
Everitt Memorial Highway
Drive to Bunny Flat and, if open, the Old Ski Bowl near 8,000 feet. Stay on the trail at sacred Panther Meadows.
Castle Lake and Lake Siskiyou
Swim at Lake Siskiyou, or hike from Castle Lake to Heart Lake.
Day 4: McCloud Falls and Burney Falls
See the Northern California waterfalls guide for more.
- Sleep: Hat Creek Resort & RV Park cabins or a campsite at Burney Falls
McCloud Falls
A trail off Highway 89 links Lower, Middle and Upper McCloud Falls.
Burney Falls
At McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, an hour farther, the 129-foot falls flow year-round.
Walk the 1.3-mile Falls Loop Trail.
Lake Britton and Subway Cave
Lake Britton has swimming and kayaking. Subway Cave is a lava tube near Old Station.
Day 5: Lassen Volcanic National Park
Drive the 30-mile park highway north to south.
Manzanita Lake and Chaos Crags
Manzanita Lake reflects Lassen Peak. Continue past the Devastated Area and Summit Lake to Kings Creek Falls.
Bumpass Hell and Lake Helen
Bumpass Hell is 3 miles round trip over boiling pools. Lake Helen is by the Lassen Peak trailhead.
Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone
Lassen Peak is 5 miles round trip with 2,000 feet of gain. Cinder Cone is a separate drive, near Butte Lake.
Exit past Sulphur Works and the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Redding is an hour away, or stay in the Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins.
Where to Stay in the Shasta-Cascade
Redding has the most hotels. Campgrounds at Whiskeytown, Castle Crags, Burney Falls and Lassen book months ahead on ReserveCalifornia and Recreation.gov.
Use three bases: Redding (one night), Mount Shasta City (two) and Burney or Hat Creek (one).
Book summer weekends 2 to 3 months ahead. See car camping in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for Mt. Shasta, Burney Falls, and Lassen?
Plan on 4 to 5 days.
When is Lassen Volcanic National Park open?
Year-round, but the main highway closes with fall snow and reopens in June or July.
How far is Burney Falls from Mt. Shasta?
About 1 hour and 15 minutes from Mount Shasta City via Highway 89 through McCloud.
Can you combine this route with a bigger California parks trip?
Yes, with Lake Tahoe to the south and the redwoods to the west.
