12 Unique Things to Do in Mt Shasta, California
If you’re looking for things to do in Mt Shasta, California, you’ll find towering pine forests, clear alpine lakes, meadows filled with summer wildflowers, freshwater springs, streams and waterfalls and a snow capped mountain. You can hike, swim, explore the forests or simply slow down and enjoy the scenery.
But Mount Shasta has another side. The mountain has a long-standing reputation as a powerful spiritual centre, attracting people interested in meditation, healing, creativity and alternative lifestyles. Stories of a hidden underground Lemurian city and UFO sightings add to its mystery.
This combination of natural beauty, and spirituality makes Mount Shasta an intriguing and unique destination. You can spend your time exploring the landscape at your own pace and connect with the local community through markets, sound healing and meditation sessions, psychic readings or spiritual retreats.
I came here to discover what Mount Shasta actually felt like. I’d visited many sacred sites in my travels and was curious to experience the mountain for myself. Travelling alone gave me the freedom to follow my curiosity and see where the experience led me.
I booked my ticket, hired a car at Sacramento Airport and drove north on Interstate 5. Crossing the open plains, I could see the snow-covered peak rising in the distance, catching the sunlight and glowing brilliant white against the blue sky.
When I arrived, I discovered a small country town nestled beneath the mountain surrounded by an extraordinary landscape.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Mt Shasta, this article covers the places and activites that made my visit so memorable and why I think Mount Shasta is worth experiencing.
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Is Mount Shasta Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Mount Shasta is worth visiting for the landscape alone. The snow-capped peak rises above pine forests, lakes, streams and waterfalls, offering hiking, swimming, fishing, boating and mountain climbing.
What makes it special is the combination of natural beauty and spiritual curiosity. Alongside the traditional mountain-town and summer-holiday community, you’ll find artists, musicians, healers and people interested in meditation, spirituality and alternative ways of thinking and living.
Travelling alone made the experience even more enjoyable. I could slow down, follow my curiosity and spend time simply being in the landscape, stopping whenever something caught my attention.
If you’re looking for a destination where you can explore, breathe, reflect and experience something a little different, I think visiting Mount Shasta is well worth it.
Things to Do in Mount Shasta
From mountain views and alpine lakes to waterfalls, forests and charming historic towns, there are plenty of things to do in Mount Shasta. These were some of the places and experiences I enjoyed most during my visit.
1. See Mount Shasta
You don’t have to climb Mount Shasta to appreciate it. The snow-capped peak dominates the landscape and can be admired from the town centre and numerous viewpoints around the area. One of the joys of visiting is simply finding a beautiful spot to stop and take it in.
2. Wander Around Shasta Town
The small shopping centre in the heart of Mount Shasta has some fascinating metaphysical shops selling crystals, jewellery, esoteric books, clothing, art and musical instruments.
I particularly enjoyed browsing Crystal Tones, with its beautiful (and very expensive) crystal singing bowls. Along Shasta Boulevard, you’ll also find shops such as Soul Connections, Crystal Keepers and Heart Light, each with its own collection of spiritual and alternative items.
I couldn’t resist taking a few things home with me: some books, a crystal and a handmade medicine drum. Browsing these little shops is a lovely way to experience the town’s distinctive spiritual character and pick up a souvenir.
3. Enjoy the Headwaters Spring
Located in town at Mt. Shasta City Park, the Headwaters Spring is the source of the Sacramento River. It’s an easy and pleasant place to experience the abundance of fresh, clear water that filters down through the mountain from snowmelt, emerging from the ground beneath Mount Shasta.
Surrounded by trees and greenery, it’s a peaceful spot to stop, take a walk and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
4. Browse the Mount Shasta Markets
If you’re visiting in summer, check out one of Mount Shasta’s local markets. They’re a great way to experience the community, browse local products and meet some of the people who live here.
The Mount Shasta Night Market takes place on Friday evenings during summer. Held downtown beneath fairy lights, it features local artisans, handmade goods, live acoustic music and food and drink.
I happened upon the market during my visit and really enjoyed it. I was there over the 4th of July weekend, when the town was particularly lively, and accommodation was full. I also had one of the best meals of my Mount Shasta visit from a local food truck at the market.
The Mount Shasta Farmers’ Market runs on Monday afternoons from May through October, with regional produce, flowers, honey, baked goods, prepared food, crafts and live music. It’s held on East Castle Street in downtown Mount Shasta.
5. Relax at Lake Siskiyou
Lake Siskiyou is a popular summer recreation spot, but for me, the highlight was the glorious view of the snow-capped Mount Shasta across the lake.
You can picnic, swim, fish, boat or walk around the lake, or simply find a quiet spot to sit and enjoy the scenery with the mountain across the water. It’s an easy and popular addition to a summer Mount Shasta visit.
6. Visit Castle Lake
Castle Lake is popular for its stunning mountain scenery, water activities and hiking trails. Getting there involves driving along a winding mountain road through a beautiful pine forest.
When I arrived, I was struck by how peaceful and still the lake was. A family of ducks glided across the water while a beaver swam beside a natural dam.
The surrounding peaks were reflected on the glassy water, creating a beautiful scene. I could have happily stayed here for hours. It’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy some quiet time in nature.
7. Hike to Little Heart Lake
Hiking the mountain trail to Little Heart Lake is a more active way to experience the landscape, and it rewards you with beautiful views across Little Heart Lake, Castle Lake and back towards Mount Shasta.
8. Explore Panther Meadows
Panther Meadows is a beautiful high-elevation meadow on Mount Shasta, with a quiet, almost otherworldly atmosphere. A natural spring rises from under the mountain and flows through the meadow. It’s a place of spiritual significance to the indigenous people of the area.
9. Visit Faery Falls
Faery Falls is a magical place to visit. Surrounded by lush forest, the waterfall cascades into a pool before flowing down the mountain.
I actually got lost on my way there and missed the turn onto the path to the waterfall. After exploring high up the stream above the waterfall, I eventually found my way down to the main falls. It turned into one of my favourite nature experiences around Mount Shasta and a lovely place to slow down and connect with the landscape.
10. Explore McCloud
The small town of McCloud makes a pleasant stop when exploring the area, with historic buildings, local cafés and easy access to some beautiful waterfalls and forest scenery.
11. Discover Dunsmuir
Just south of Mount Shasta, historic Dunsmuir has a different character again, with its railway heritage, old buildings, shops and cafés. It’s worth adding if you enjoy exploring the smaller towns around a mountain destination.
12. Attend a Sound Healing or Meditation Session
Mount Shasta has an active spiritual and wellness community, with sound healing, meditation and other events taking place around town. When I was there, I looked for notices posted on the doors and windows of Crystal Tones and Sound Connections, and Berryvale Grocery, where local events are often advertised.
It’s also worth checking online to find out what’s happening during your visit. Depending on the time of year, you may find sound healing, meditation, ecstatic dance, live music, festivals and other community events taking place around town.
Spiritual Things to Do in Mount Shasta
Some people come to Mount Shasta for the hiking, lakes and spectacular mountain scenery. Others are drawn by something harder to define. The mountain has a long-standing reputation within spiritual communities as a source of powerful energy, and several sites around the area are considered sacred or spiritually significant.
For me, this was a big part of why I came. I wanted to spend quiet time in nature, visit some of these sites and experience the Mount Shasta energy for myself.
You don’t need to follow a particular spiritual tradition to appreciate the stillness here. Walking through the forests, sitting beside the water or simply looking up at the mountain can be an experience in itself.
If you’re interested in going deeper, you can explore spiritual retreats, healing sessions, wellness treatments and alternative healing modalities. During my visit, I booked a hypnosis session which I found particularly powerful. For me, exploring this spiritual side added another layer to the experience of Mount Shasta.
Exploring Mount Shasta on a Solo Trip
I loved experiencing Mount Shasta alone. Travelling solo gave me the freedom to do exactly what I wanted. For me, this meant getting out early, before the trails filled with visitors and relaxing in the afternoons.
I was there over the 4th of July holiday weekend, so Mount Shasta became noticeably busier as the day approached. Accommodation was full, and the popular hiking spots attracted many summer visitors. Being able to set my own schedule meant I could enjoy the quieter hours and take my time exploring.
The landscape was stunning, the weather was bright and sunny, and wildflowers were blooming. Tall pine forests surrounded still mountain lakes where the water was like glass, reflecting the peaks and sky. Alpine meadows were scattered with tiny flowers, creating a landscape unlike anything I’d experienced before. It was quite different from the Australian bush I know so well.
I particularly loved hiking alone. There was no need to hurry or keep to anyone else’s pace. I could stop for a view, sit beside a lake or simply walk quietly through the forest.
Food in Mount Shasta
I ate at a mix of relaxed cafés, casual restaurants and market stalls during my Mount Shasta visit, and often picked up takeaway rather than having a formal meal.
One of my favourites was an organic salmon rice bowl from a local food truck – simple, healthy and one of the best takeaway meals I had in Mount Shasta. I also enjoyed the friendly service at Phuket Thai Café, conveniently located next to the Pine Needles Inn where I stayed.
For coffee or a casual lunch, Seven Suns Coffee & Café has a relaxed outdoor courtyard, while Thrive Bar is a good option near the town centre and market. Casa Ramos offers family-style Mexican food, and The Garden Tap is a particularly unusual spot: a seasonal food truck and dining patio set within a nursery.
For something quick, Berryvale Grocery has a good selection of healthy and organic food and snacks. Theory Coffee Bar is another easy lunch option.
What to Know Before Visiting Mount Shasta
A little planning makes visiting Mount Shasta much easier, particularly if you want to explore the lakes, waterfalls and mountain trails.
You can reach Mount Shasta by bus, but hiring a car gives you much more freedom to explore the surrounding area. You’ll need your own transport to get to many of the trailheads and natural attractions.
Distances are greater than they look on a map. The area is spread across lakes, forests, waterfalls and trails, and reaching them often involves winding mountain roads. Allow plenty of time rather than trying to squeeze too much into one day.
Summer days are long, warm and dry, but nights can be cold. In July, daylight stretches from around 5:30 am until 9 pm, making early starts particularly worthwhile. Bring layers as temperatures can drop considerably once the sun goes down.
Check road and trail conditions before you go. Higher mountain roads are closed for much of the year because of snow and generally reopen as conditions allow during summer. Don’t assume every trail, lake or mountain area will be accessible when you arrive.
My Mount Shasta Visit
What surprised me most about Mount Shasta was how different the landscape felt from anywhere I’d experienced before. The air was dry, the summer days were long, and wildflowers brought unexpected bursts of colour to the mountain meadows.
I loved the forests, too. Tall pine trees rose above a carpet of fallen needles, with surprisingly little undergrowth. Around Castle Lake, delicate honeysuckle flowers grew along the shoreline, adding another layer of beauty to an already stunning landscape.
One of my favourite moments happened when I was sitting quietly on the mountain, and a hummingbird suddenly appeared hovering beside me, jolting me out of my daydream.
Mount Shasta was more than an ordinary sightseeing destination. I think what stayed with me was how peaceful I felt there. I loved having the time and freedom to stop, look around and simply be in such a beautiful landscape.
The mountain, the forests, the abundance of water and the unusual community all made Mount Shasta feel unlike anywhere I’d been before, and I’m glad I took the time to experience it for myself.
Discover the Sounds of Mount Shasta
Some places stay with you long after you’ve left, and Mount Shasta was one of them. I tried to capture something of the stillness I experienced there, the sounds of nature, the forests and the feeling of being grounded by this immense mountain.
I wanted to create a way to reconnect with that feeling through my Mount Shasta Sonic Earth Journey. Combining guided meditation, original music and natural sounds, the journey invites you to slow down, settle your thoughts and connect with the grounding energy of the mountain.
I created the Mount Shasta Journey to be a companion for solo female travellers. You don’t need to have visited Mount Shasta to experience it. You can listen from home when you need a moment of calm, or take it with you on your travels to feel grounded, comforted and connected when you’re feeling anxious, unsettled or far from home.
Read more about the Mount Shasta Sonic Earth Journey here
Listen to Mount Shasta Preview
Take a few minutes to experience Listening to Mt Shasta: Travel Through Sound and hear the mountain for yourself.
Guided meditation with original music + binaural soundcape + illustrated pdf
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Final Thoughts on Visiting Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is a beautiful place to slow down, explore nature and experience the mountain’s unique combination of spectacular scenery and spiritual energy. The mountain, forests, lakes and waterfalls provide plenty to discover, while the town’s unusual spiritual community adds another dimension.
I loved having time to explore the landscape, enjoy the stillness and discover the different sides of Mount Shasta.
If you’re looking for more than a conventional sightseeing destination, you’ll find plenty of interesting things to do in Mt Shasta. Take time to slow down, explore and enjoy the peace of the mountain.
I left feeling glad I’d given myself the space to fully enjoy the experience.
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Listening to Mount Shasta: Travel Through Sound
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