Shasta Lake is the largest manmade reservoir in California, offering over 360 miles of shoreline when full. The rugged country, varied shoreline, and sheer size of Shasta Lake tend to break the lake into different areas, each with its own opportunities, moods, and settings. Surrounding the lake are marinas, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, restaurants, and everything necessary for hundreds of people to enjoy lakeside vacations. All manners of boats are available on Shasta Lake, from rowboats to powerboats, and houseboats to pontoons. Skiing and wakeboarding are popular, as are kayaking and paddle boarding. Wooded flats, steep, rocky hillsides, secluded creeks, an occasional waterfall, and thousands of acres of mountainous country surround the lake. With literally hundreds of coves to claim for an afternoon (or two), you may never leave the boat again!
Shasta Dam is a curved gravity dam across the Sacramento River at Lake Shasta and provides beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Shasta. There are free, guided tours of the Shasta Dam year-round, each taking two to three hours. The tours comprise a 428-foot elevator ride to the base of the dam, and visits to the dam's inner galleries and the powerhouse among other areas. There are lawns and trails adjacent to the dam for picnicking, cycling, and exploring.
Shasta Lake has the largest commercial fleet of houseboats in the world, and there's more than enough lake for them all. Find your own private cove and float around, or head out to open waters and give water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing a try. No matter what your plan, Shasta Lake offers a wide selection - from small houseboats with basic amenities to luxury houseboats including hot tubs and water slides to match whatever experience your group is looking for.
Shasta Lake’s many coves and fluctuating water levels make it popular for those looking to catch their dinner. Shasta Lake is home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, brown trout, rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, crappie, and bluegill. Fishing is good from both boats and the shore, and with Shasta Lake’s vast shoreline, you’ll have no problem finding that private fishing spot just for you. And with a wide variety of local guides, everyone can head home with a catch.
If you like feeling the wind in your hair, skip the open road and head for somewhere…well, opener, and far more refreshing. Hit the lake! Shasta Lake’s hundreds of miles of shoreline are calling to you, whether you prefer a relaxing ride on a kayak, or high speeds across the tops of the waves. Jet skis are great for exploring the coves and inlets of Shasta Lake, and ski boats keep it lively when you add tubes, skis, and wakeboards.
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