Lake Siskiyou.
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Lake Siskiyou: Is This THE Most Underrated Lake in California?!

If you are looking for the most insane Shasta views, you have come to the right place. Located at the foot of the mountain, you will find Lake Siskiyou, a stunning reservoir surrounded by forested paths.

The lake is beautiful in all seasons, but in the summer months, it really comes alive with people strolling, chilling, boating, fishing, camping, and paddling.

Fed by five mountain streams, the water is surprisingly warm and beautifully clear, making for the ideal swimming spot. It is a summer vacation hotspot, and if you visit, you will soon see why.

Here are the five best ways to enjoy Lake Siskiyou so you don’t miss out on this underrated lake!

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1. Take a Hike or Bike The Lake Siskiyou Trail

Distance: 6.8 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 341 feet

The most well-known trail in the area is the Lake Siskiyou Trail, which takes you around the shores of the lake, accompanied by stunning views of Mt Shasta and Mt Eddie.

A lady on a red bicycle heading down the Lake Siskiyou Trail in the middle of the forest.
A great way to explore the lake!

The hike takes you away from the built-up south shore, and it won’t be long before you are surrounded by natural beauty.

This part of the trail also gets a little interesting, as you’ll have to cross a large pedestrian bridge that spans the water, and you’ll be able to take a peek at the Sacramento River inlet.

Walking 7 miles can take a bit of time, so if you want to speed up the process but still want to see it all, there’s a great biking trail with very little elevation gain. You’ll just have to look out for pedestrians.

2. Check Out Wagon Creek Pedestrian Bridge

Although you will see the Wagon Creek Pedestrian Bridge on the Lake Siskiyou Trail, it’s worth mentioning on its own.

This impressive bridge is the only reason people can now do an entire loop of Lake Siskiyou. Before the bridge was built, it was impossible to cross the inlet, but now all parts of the trail are joined together.

Wagon Creek pedestrian bridge crossing over a portion of Lake Siskiyou on a clear day.
One of the most scenic bridges in the area.

The bridge is an engineering marvel. Steel cables reach down from a huge metal arch that spans the whole bridge, holding up a large deck. It is the perfect selfie spot.

If you don’t have time to do the whole trail mentioned above, just take a short stroll to the bridge and head back!


RELATED: 15 Must-Do Mount Shasta Hikes


3. Head to Cable Beach

Cable Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand with easy access to the shoreline.

It’s not the white sand beach that reaches for miles, but instead, it’s surrounded by green pines and snowy mountains; it’s up there with one of the most picturesque beaches.

Tourists enjoying the lakeside of Lake Siskiyou with beach chairs and rubber rings on a sunny day.
Enjoying the day at Cable Beach.

The beach itself is great for chilling in a chair (it’s a little rocky), and it’s also the spot to put in a kayak and enjoy a paddle around in the water.

The safe, clean waters here are very tempting for a dip in summer, but prepare for the cold! This spot is ideal for a day on the lake unless you’re heading to the next spot…

4. Bask or Paddle on Lake Siskiyou Beach

Another beautiful beachy spot around the lake is Lake Siskiyou Beach, which you can access via the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort.

Garrett taking a picture of Mount Shasta from the shores of Lake Siskiyou with the forests reflecting on the lake.
A tiny Garrett, making the most of those crazy views!

There are plenty of sandy shores, incredible Shasta views, and plenty of beach space, even in summer!

There is a small fee to enjoy this beach (unless you camp here), but it is worth it to use all the facilities, such as the restroom, nearby snack bar, and board and kayak rentals.

A small, blue rental shack on the shores of Lake Siskiyou with views of forests behind.
A place to rent kayaks or paddle boards!

The resort offers all sorts of watersports rentals, from simple SUPs to huge party barges.

Alternatively, you could have fun at the small water park, grab a bite to eat at Lake Sis Grille and Brew, or have fun in the inflatable splash zone (depending on the season).


RELATED: 14 BEST Things To Do in Mount Shasta


5. Go Camping

Families, solo travelers, couples, and groups flock to Lake Siskiyou every year to pitch a tent or rent a cabin for the night and enjoy all the recreational activities the Lake Siskiyou Resort provides—us included!

There are plenty of different options for places to stay at the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort, from simple tent sites to small houses.

A view over Lake Siskiyou, past forests and over the Mount Shasta as seen from Mount Siskiyou Camp Resort.
The views in “your backyard” at this campground!

When it comes to RV sites, you can choose full hookups, those with just water and electricity, or you could stay in one of the resort’s retro trailers.

In our opinion, this is where the best views of the lake are. We spent a few days camping at this spot while exploring everything around Mount Shasta, and it was very worth it!

TIP: Use this spot as your base and head out on the Castle Lake to Heart Lake Trail in the morning. It’s one of our favorite hikes in the area.

We hope this mini guide to Lake Siskiyou helps plan your visit!

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