hipcamp.com/discover/california/shasta-lake-1'>Shasta Lake, where forested mountains meet cool waters.
In the middle of Northern California, within Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta Lake sits about an hour south of volcanic Mount Shasta. Classic lake activities can be enjoyed, including fishing, boating, jet-skiing, swimming, and water skiing. You can also hike around the shore for views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Lakefront cabins are mostly concentrated around the northwest arm of the lake, off Interstate 5. You can find lake resorts with rustic studio or 1-bedroom cabins, typically without kitchens, or book bigger cabin rentals with full kitchens and more private environments. Cabins can also be found in the town of Shasta Lake, but these are off the water. Alternatively, consider a houseboat rental for a cabin-on-the-water experience. Smaller neighboring lakes are also worth checking out: Lewiston Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, and Trinity Lake, all to the west of Shasta. Hot, dry summers come with crowds, while spring and fall are still pleasant. Winters are cool and wet.
