Lake Shasta - Caverns National Natural Landmark

Introduction:

What? :

Lake Shasta Caverns is an impressive cave system located near the McCloud arm of the large Shasta Lake in North California.

Lake Shasta Caverns is a geologic cave touring adventure for the whole family including kids. The Caverns are protected under National Natural Landmarks, they contain at least 19 types of different cave formations created out of the carbonate rock surrounding lake Shasta.

The only way to visit the caves is by taking a short boat ride across Shasta Lake, followed by a bus ride up a steep mountain grade road that leads to the cave opening.

When visiting this area be sure to dedicate some time to enjoy the beauty of this area. You can visit Lake Shasta dam, stop at different viewing points, enjoy one of the lake beaches, rent a small boat for a day or even enjoy multi-day houseboat experience (we did that several times).

 

 

Where? :

The Caverns are located about 20 miles north of Redding on highway I-5 (about 30 minutes’ drive). When driving on I-5 take exit 695 and follow Shasta Caverns Rd to the visitor center parking lot.

To visit the Caverns, you need to park your car at the parking lot and register at the visitor center and get a boat ride ticket.

From here a boat will take you over the lake to the other side where the cave is located.

20359 Shasta Caverns Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051, USA

Google Map Link

 

 

When? :

The Caverns is open for visits year-round.

During winter months severe weather conditions may occur.  Snow, ice and/or wind may cause a cancellation of tours with very short notice. In these cases, ticket holders will receive a full refund.

The most popular month are at summertime weekends and holidays where people combine this visit to their north California or Lake Shasta visit.

The caverns are constantly 58 degrees Fahrenheit with a high humidity level of 90 to 95%.

 

 

Related Blog posts:

• North California - Waterfalls Loop Road-Trip (Redding – Shasta)
• McArthur Burney Falls State Park
• Lake Britton – The Bridge From the movie "Stand By Me”
• Potem Creek Falls, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
• Hatchet Creek Falls, Shasta County
• McCloud River Falls, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
• Lake Siskiyou and Faery falls, Shasta County
• Heart and Castle Lakes Hike, Shasta County
• Hedge Creek Falls, Shasta County
• Castle Crags State Park
• Lake Shasta - Salt Creek Dispersed Area
• Shasta Dam
• North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
• Northeast California 5 Days Road Trip (from Lake Tahoe to Lava Beds NM)
• Lassen Volcanic NP – Trip Planning

Due note 1:

Daily Tours: Mon – Sun, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

https://www.lakeshastacaverns.com/

Two-hour tour includes boat, bus and guided tour (16 and up) - $42

Juniors Two-hour tour (Ages 7 to 15) - $26

Children Two-hour tour (Ages 3 - 6) - $16

For more information you can call: (530) 238-2341

 

Due note 2:

Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis.

I do recommend buying tickets online prior to your arrival but you can also purchase your ticket at the location.

When coming to the visitor center you will be booked on the next available tour. Please note that your printed online ticket is not a boarding pass. Your online ticket is valid for any tour on the date that you purchased it.

Come 30 minutes prior your reservation time.

Due to high traffic on Holiday Weekends allow extra time for check-in preferably 30 to 45 minutes.

 

Due note 3:

Overall, plan for about two hours visit (longer in holidays). This includes a 10-minute boat ride across the McCloud arm of the Shasta Lake, a 10-minute bus ride up to the cavern's entrance, and a about 60-minutes guided tour in the caverns.

After the tour you need to ride back with the buss down to the peer, and take the boat back to parking lot side of the lake.

 

Due note 4:

There are over 600 stairs in the caverns tour walk. If you have any problems climbing stairs, such as bad knees, bad back, heart conditions, pacemaker, injuries or claustrophobia, the cavern tour is not recommended.

No climbing or crawling is required, and the cave passages and rooms are large. The walk is on a concrete floor, and you are not getting dirty by mud.

 

Due note 5:

No strollers, backpacks, pets or animals, except for certified service animals and animals small enough to carry, are allowed on the cavern tour.

Due note 6:

The road to the caverns is private and can only be accessed by guided tour.

 

Due note 7:

I do recommend bringing bottle of water and snacks, large backpacks are not allowed.

 

Due note 8:

You can walk here with flipflop, but comfortable shoes are recommended, the tour includes walking and stairs climbing. No need to bring flashlights, electricity lights are located along the cave walk tour.

 

 

My thoughts:

We visit here a group of 4 families with teenagers’ kids and we all enjoy the visit very much.

The cave tour is not hard, there are some steps but not something most people can do. The guided tour was informative, and the cave and the geological phenomena were nice to explore.

 

 

The Visit:

Arrive 30 minutes before your preferred tour time.

Check-in and obtain a boarding pass for the tour, seats are assigned on a first come, first serve basis and walk to the boat. If you miss the boat, they will offer you seats on the next available tour upon your check-in at the ticket counter. The boat departs at the scheduled times, please allow ample time to check-in, possible use of restroom and walk down to the boat.

 

Personal note: when we visit here, we were on a houseboat trip in lake Shasta, we came with the houseboat directly to the cave side of the lake and “parked” our boat on the lake shore over there.

 

From the boat peer you will take a short 10 minutes’ buss drive up the mountain road to the cave entrance. Here you will meet your guide and start your tour into the cave.

 

 

The caves are made entirely of limestone and feature a wide variety of formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, columns, and flowstone. There are eight known rooms in the cavern system and several corridors connecting them.

The first recorded explorer of the cave system was James A. Richardson on November 11, 1878. It wasn’t until 1964 that Lake Shasta Caverns became an attraction commercially open to the public.

To open the cave for visitors, workers blasted a tunnel deep into the mountain, as they open their way into the rock they reveal the opening into Discovery Room, perhaps the most fascinating room in the caverns.

 

The tour start with entering the mountain by a main made tunnel and from there you will be climbing the first long series of stairs leading up and deep into the mountain.

From here you will turn left in the first series of open chambers and rooms.

 

As you navigate through the winding passageways and cave chambers, knowledgeable guides will provide explanations and insights into the geology of the cave and the formation processes of the geological phenomena you are seeing.

 

From here you will keep climbing the stairs and you will reach additional chambers and passages.

Near the end of the tour, you will reach the biggest room that has many impressive stalactites, stalagmites viewing. From here you will be able to see the original entrance to the cave.

Shortly after that big room you will exit the cave and walk down the mountain on an open trail back to the starting point of the cave tour.

From here the 10 minutes bus drive down the mountain will take you back to the boat ramp, short boat ride will bring you back to the other side of the lake.

 

Overall, a very enjoyable 2 hours visit, I highly recommend doing this tour.

 

www:

https://www.lakeshastacaverns.com/

 

 

Additional Pictures: