If you’re looking for the perfect Northern California weekend getaway then read below for our weekend guide to Dunsmuir, California!
You might be wondering what Dunsmuir is, and why you should visit. Dunsmuir, California is a small town in Northern California situated along the Upper Sacramento River, with the stunning presence of Mount Shasta towering in the distance. While this small town may seem unassuming, Dunsmuir is a perfect basecamp for exploring beautiful waterfalls, hiking amidst ancient volcanic landscapes, and seeing sweeping views of Mount Shasta.
Our guide to Dunsmuir and its surroundings is a perfect 48 hour adventure itinerary complete with lots of amazing waterfalls, cute cabins with views of Mt. Shasta, good food, and our favorite hike at Castle Crags State Park.
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48 hour adventure guide to Dunsmuir, California
Day 1 – The most majestic hike in Northern California, waterfalls, and a cute cabin with views of Mt. Shasta
Epic hike in Castle Crags State Park
Hike length: 5.2 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 2067 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: $8 California State Park fee
Start your day with one of the most beautiful hikes in Northern California: Crags Trail to Castle Dome! Castle Crags is a dramatic rock formation, with massive granite spires jutting up out of the forest. Some of these spires are hundreds of feet tall! The hike to Castle Dome will take you into the core of the crags, and offers incredible views of Mount Shasta in the distance. The trail is well-maintained by the California State Parks service.
Can’t miss spot: Vista Point Overlook
Before starting your journey take a quick detour to visit the Vista Point Overlook, which is adjacent to the trailhead parking lot. This overlook offers stunning views of the Castle Crags, Mount Shasta, and the grey rocks and castle creek.
Crags Trail to Castle Dome: what to expect
Crags Trail to Castle Dome is a challenging hike, especially if you aren’t used to doing hikes with significant elevation gain. The trail starts in an evergreen forest, and you climb steadily along switchback until you see the crags 1.5 miles in. After that the trail gets rockier, and you might also encounter snow if you go early (March) or late in the season. We recommend packing a lunch and plenty of water. You can filter water at Indian Springs about halfway up the trail.Please respect park rules — dogs are not allowed on this trail after about a half mile.
Recommended gear: Due to limited potable water, we recommend packing a water filter and a 2-liter drinking water reservoir. Early in the season we also recommend hiking poles and microspikes/trail crampons.
Hike to Mossbrae Falls
Hike length: 2.9 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 170 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: Free
After taking in the views at Castle Crags, head 10 minutes north for a waterfall hike. Mossbrae Falls is a beautiful spring-fed waterfall cascading directly into the Sacramento River, surrounded by volcanic walls covered in ferns and moss! In my opinion, Mossbrae is one of the most unique and beautiful waterfalls in California. I should note, though, that hiking to the falls is more treacherous than most hikes, as you have to walk along an active train track for about 1 mile (each way). We’ve done this hike three times and have encountered trains twice. It is important to always be aware of your surroundings, and ready to move away from the train any moment. I recommend reading more in-depth about the background and trail details of Mossbrae Falls here.
Explore downtown Dunsmuir
Take a stroll through downtown Dunsmuir and soak in the small town charm! You’ll find lots of cute shops and galleries along Dunsmuir Avenue and Sacramento Avenue.
Grab dinner at Wheelhouse
While you’re in downtown Dunsmuir grab dinner at The Wheelhouse! The Wheelhouse offers American cuisine with a menu catering to meat-lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike. They specialize in sandwiches, and their veggie options are truly impressive! We got their tofu “Philly Cheesesteak” and their deep fried tofu hoagie, which was covered in pickled veggies and a sweet chili sauce. Both were delicious! They also have an impressive beer menu (including a long list of Belgian beers) and on Friday nights they host trivia, which is free to join.
Spend the night in a cute cabin with views of Mt. Shasta
Wondering where to stay in Dunsmuir, California? Wind down at Cave Springs Resort. Nestled in the forest along the Sacramento River, Cave Springs offers a variety of lodging options including modern cabins, rustic cabins, hotel rooms, and renovated Airstreams. It is the perfect basecamp for a weekend exploring the natural beauty of Dunsmuir and the Mount Shasta area.
We stayed in a bright and modern cabin called “The Lookout.” The Lookout is aptly named because the living room window has an absolutely stunning view of Mount Shasta in the distance, and the Sacramento River down below! The sunset view of the mountain from the living room was incredible. We also spent a night in one of their cute Airstream rentals!
DAY 2: Visit some of the best waterfalls in Northern California!
Walk behind a waterfall at Hedge Creek Falls
Hike length: 0.6 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 160 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: Free
Start your morning with a short stroll to Hedge Creek Falls. Located in Dunsmuir, you won’t have to travel far to reach this waterfall– the trailhead is just a mile from Cave Springs Resort! This waterfall is approximately 35 feet tall and cascades over ancient volcanic rock. A natural cave behind the waterfall allows hikers to walk behind the falls. This short hike is well-maintained, and the parking area is usually fairly empty.
Hike to Faery Falls
Hike length: 1.4 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 255 feet | Trail type: Out and back | Fees: Free
Next, head about 15 minutes north to Faery Falls. This is a relatively easy hike through the forest to a 40-foot waterfall that plunges down into a canyon wall. The two times we’ve done this hike there have been very few other visitors.This hike smells faintly like sulfur, which makes me wonder if there is a hot spring nearby… If you ever find a hot spring please let us know!
Short walk with stunning views of Mt. Shasta
Hike length: Up to 1.0 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 45 feet | Trail type: Loop (but I recommend out and back) | Fees: Free
After exploring some waterfalls, head into downtown Shasta City, which is quite literally at the base of Mount Shasta. If you have a bit of time to kill before lunch, walk along the short boardwalk around Sisson Meadow. This short stroll takes you through a lush meadow (depending on the time of year), and has an epic view of Mount Shasta up above!
Grab lunch at Pipeline in downtown Shasta City
After enjoying Sisson Meadow head two blocks over to Pipeline Craft Taps and Kitchen. Pipeline’s ambiance embraces the “adventure vibe” of the Mount Shasta area, and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. We ordered their cauliflower bites, cheese curds (a must-try!), their savage salad, and local craft brewed root beer from Caldera in Ashland, Oregon.
Explore three waterfalls on the McCloud River
Hike length: 3.9 miles (round trip) | Elevation Gain: 337 feet | Trail type: Out and Back | Fees: Free
Finish your day of adventuring by chasing three more waterfalls along the McCloud Waterfalls Trail. This hike parallels the McCloud River, which rages and cascades over ancient volcanic rocks and is surrounded by towering evergreen trees!
You will pass by three waterfalls along this trail. The Lower Falls is the shortest of the three at about 12 feet tall. Lower Falls has an accessible viewing platform overlooking the falls – you can really see the rocky geologic landscape here! At 50 feet tall and 80 feet wide, the Middle Falls is the most impressive of the three. To get an up-close view of this waterfall, be prepared to scramble over some large boulders. And lastly, the Upper Falls shoots through a deep canyon before cascading down about 25 feet. This waterfall is best viewed from the observation deck up above.
Recommended gear: We recommend packing a water filter and a 2-liter drinking water reservoir. Some of the falls can be misty, so don’t forget a good waterproof rain jacket (also available in mens)!
Have extra time? Check out these nearby spots!
If you have extra time, we recommend adding these locations to your itinerary!
- Hike the Lake Siskiyou Trail. This is a 7 mile loop hike that is kid and dog friendly, and many portions also allow bikes.
- Extend your trip with a couple days in Lassen Volcanic National Park! Just a couple hours east of Dunsmuir, Lassen Volcanic National Park is famed for its active volcanoes, mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles.
- Hike Heart Lake Trail from Castle Lake – See two stunning alpine lakes with sweeping views of Mount Shasta in the distance.
