Lake Siskiyou Trail

Photos

At the end of the 7-mile loop, we were rewarded with an awe-inspiring view of Mt. Shasta.
Shawn Lehman

Wagon Creek Bridge at Lake Siskiyou — The Wagon Creek Bridge is a pedestrian bridge offering beautiful lake and mountain views.
Shawn Lehman

Lake Siskiyou Trail — About 3 miles into the trail (depending on where you start), the trail opens up into an open meadow with mountain views.
Shawn Lehman

While the Lake Siskiyou Trail winds around the lake, the trail offers ever-changing scenery offering views of lakes, meadows, mountains, and streams.
Shawn Lehman

About

Summary

Boasting panoramic views of Mt. Shasta, vast meadows, woodlands, and a cerulean lake, the Lake Siskiyou Trail is easily one of the most scenic trails in Northern California.

Recommended by

Written by

Shawn Lehman

Distance

7.0 miles

When the seasonal wooden bridges across the delta are in place, the loop is approximately 7.0 miles. Without bridges, the South Shore Segment is 9.0 miles out-and-back. The North Shore Segment is 4.4 miles out-and-back.

Destination Distance From Downtown

49.5 miles

Difficulty

1 of 5 diamonds

This trail is wide and well-traveled. The 324-foot elevation gain is so gradual that you barely notice it.

Time To Complete

4 hours

There are multiple access to this trail so hikers can choose to hike smaller sections at a time or do the entire loop. Please note that during the rainy season, the temporary wooden bridges providing easy access across the delta are not in place. These are usually up from May to June.

Seasonality

Spring, Summer, and Fall

The best time to complete the full loop is late spring, summer, and early fall before the rainy season.

Dog Friendly

On Leash Only

Topographical Map

Lake Siskiyou Trail - Hiking

Land Website

Lake Siskiyou Trail - Hiking

Review

Intro

The Lake Siskiyou Trail is an easy 7-mile loop that is well-traveled with minimal elevation gain making it an enjoyable trail for hikers, cyclists, and runners. Featuring easy water access, kayakers will enjoy exploring this 430-acre lake. For those who want to make a weekend of it, Lake Siskiyou Resort offers campsites, cabins, beaches with boat rentals, and an on-site bar and grill. After a day of exploring the area, you can grab a beer at Shasta Brewing Co. just 11 miles away. Their Lemurian Lager is amazing!

What Makes It Great

Beginning at the parking lot across from Castle Lake Road, you can turn right at the trail head and follow the path out along the road. After crossing the dam, the trail makes its way off the main road and down to the lake. The path meanders along a small creek that feeds into the lake before arriving at the beautiful Wagon Creek Bridge.

Around the 3-mile mark, the trail opens up to a vast meadow featuring panoramic mountain views. In about a quarter of a mile, the trail moves closer to the lake where you will find options to take an alternative route along the shore.

About four miles in, you will arrive at the delta where the Sacramento River feeds into Lake Siskiyou. If the seasonal bridges are up, you simply cross them to the North Shore segment of the trail. If not, you can wade across the river being mindful of the current and the uneven river floor.

From the North Shore, the trail makes its way along the creek to a green gate with pedestrian access. The trail continues along the lake until arriving at a boat ramp. You will turn right and continue on past the ramp and cabin rentals until turning left at the trailhead sign. The trail gets a little confusing at the campgrounds, but you can continue to the beach area and follow the trail on the right marked with logs.

The remainder of the trail makes its way through lush woodlands crossing several babbling creeks until completing the loop at the parking area.

Who is Going to Love It

The Lake Siskiyou Trail is well-marked, well-traveled, and features little to no elevation gain. This is a great trail for hikers of all calibers as well as cyclists and runners.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From Redding, follow I-5 N to W Lake St in Siskiyou County. Take exit 738 from I-5 N. At the overpass, take a sharp left onto W Lake St (signs for Lake Siskiyou). Continue onto Hatchery Ln. Turn left onto S Old Stage Rd. Veer right onto W A Barr Rd. Park in the lot on the right across from the road to Castle Lake.

There are no fees to access this trail.

Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Written by Shawn Lehman for RootsRated.

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