Shasta County Camping

I-5 to 13 miles north of Redding

USDA Forest Service

Management Unit: Shasta Lake Ranger District

14250 Holiday Road

Redding CA 96003

(530) 275-1587

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Boat Launch
• Site Fee
• Fishing Food Service
• Resort
• Gas Station

Description:

A breathtaking sight, Shasta Lake is truly a houseboater's dream. The largest California lake, Shasta has 370 miles of shoreline. Mount Shasta remains snowcapped throughout most of the year, making a dramatic backdrop against the plush evergreens and deep blue waters.

Resorts on Shasta Lake featuring lodging, dining, groceries, tackle and bait, and full service marina's. With the largest rental fleet of houseboats in the west and a wide variety of ski boats, fishing boats, patio boats and personal watercraft, its your best choice for finding the perfect houseboat for your next vacation.

Houseboats on Shasta Lake feature fully equipped kitchens with gas ovens/ranges and refrigerators/freezers. Some models have microwave ovens, coffee pots, toasters and blenders. For your convenience they include pots and pans, dishes, utensils and even dishwashing soap. You'll have a bathroom with shower, a dinette, built-in bunks, chairs, ice chest, cassette stereo, and a gas barbecue. Generators and air conditioners are available on most of Shasta Lake houseboats.

For further information on both pricing and availability, contact one of these marinas.

Antlers Resort and Marnia

P.O. Box 140

Lakehead Ca 96051

(530) 238-2553/ (800) 238-3924

www.shastalakevacations.com

Located 25 miles north of Redding on the Sacramento river are of beautiful Shasta Lake. Cabins, houseboat rentals, marine services, sales and service. Open all year.

Bridge Bay Resort

10300 Bridge Bay Road

Redding CA 96003

(530) 275-3021/(800) 752-9669

www.sevencrown.com/waterways/shasta.htm

Located on Shasta Lake. Full service resort with lakeview lodge, restaurant and lounge. Three, four and seven day houseboat rentals. Daily/weekly fishing boat, ski boat, and personal watercraft rentals. Moorage, gas dock and store. Overnight slips available.

Holiday Harbor

20061 Shasta Caverns Road

P.O. Box 112

O'brien, CA 96070

(530) 238-2383/ 800-BOAT (2628)

lakeshasta.com

Full service houseboat resort and marina featuring the "Toy Box", and a wide selection of boat, personal watercraft and accessory rentals, Shasta Lake's Largest water fun rental center including "parasailing." Open all year.

Jones Valley Resort

22300 Jones Valley Marina Drive

Redding CA 96003

(530) 275-7950/(877) 4-SHASTA (474-2782)

Fax 275-3523

www.houseboats.com

Shasta's most modern dock located on the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake, offering boat rentals from 56' luxury houseboats to kayaks and everything in between. Along with your boat, the newest ski equipment ranging from air chairs to wakeboards are available. Convenience store and rentals open all year round. Moorage available.

Lakeshore Marina

20479 Lakeshore Drive

Lakehead CA 96051

(530) 238-2301

www.shastalakehouseboats.com

Lakeshore Marina is located only 20 miles north of Redding just off Interestate 5 (I-5). Take the Lakeshore turnoff. Rentals: houseboats, patio boats, ski boats, and personal watercraft.

Lakeview Marina Resort

P.O. Box 992272

Redding CA 96099

(530) 223-30003/ (800) 6850/ Fax 238-8433

Located 2.2 miles east off I-5 at the O'Brien exit, and on the McCloud Arm of Shasta Lake. Shell marina, sparkling clean. Luxury houseboats and fishing boat rentals available. Open all year.

Packers Bay Marina/Holiday Flotels, Inc.

16814-C Packers Bay Road

Lakehead CA 96051

(530) 275-5570/ (800) 331-3137

www.packersbay.com

Located in the "hub" of Shasta Lake, Packers Bay Marina proudly presents our fleet of luxury houseboats with 3 models to choose from. We provide the finest boats and services at the most competitive rates. Come join our "family" of satisfied customers. Open May 1 to Sepember 30.

Shasta Marina Resort

18390 O'Brien Inlet Road

Lakehead CA 96051

(530) 238-2284/ (800) 959-3359

http://www.shastalake.net

Located on Shasta Lake. Full service marina, gas, bait and tackle, boat moorage. Houseboat, patio boat, and fishing boat rentals. Mini store, RV park and camping. Open all year.

Silverthorn Resort Marina

16250 Silverthorn Road

P.O. Box 994205

Redding CA 96099

(530) 275-1571 (800) 332-3044

www.silverthornresort.com

Silverthorn Resort Marina offers 35 of the luxurious houesboats, a full-service marina with fuel, floating store, and small boat rentals. Close to the lake, nestled in the pine trees are cabins with kitchenette. Also visit our restaurant and lounge overlooking the lake with live entertainment in the summer.

Sugarloaf Resort

19671 Lakeshore Drive

Lakehead CA 96051

(530) 238-2711

Full service on the marina on the Sacramento Arm of Shasta Lake offers one of the most unique and newest houseboat models with all amenities including a TV, VCR, air conditioning and water slide. Ski, patio and fishing boats are also available. Campgrounds with hookups on the lake. Moorage available.

How to Get There:

I-5 to Redding CA., Then north 13 miles to the Lake. Call individual marinas for directions.

Tips:

Summer Reservations should be made in the spring for best availability.

Other Important Information:

Marinas operating on Shasta are operated by a special use permit by the Forest Service, U.S.D.A. Persons of any race, color, national orgin, sex, age, religion or with any handicapping condition are welcome to use and enjoy all facilities, programs and services of the U.S.D.A. Discrimination in any form is strictly against policy and should be reported to the Secretary of Agriculture.

12 miles north of Redding, California

Bureau of Reclamation

Management Unit: Northern California Area Office

BOR Northern California Office

16349 Shasta Dam Blvd.

Shasta Lake, CA 96019

(530) 275-4463 / (530) 275-1554

Amenities:

• Ampitheater
• Dam
• Lookout Tower

Description:

California and recreation are synonymous. Shasta Lake, part of a national recreation area, is one of the major outdoor attractions in California and the western United States, recording more than two million visitors annually. The lake boasts 365 miles of shoreline and nearly 30,000 surface acres. Shasta Dam is the second largest dam in mass in the United States. (Grand Coulee on the Columbia River in Washington State is the largest.) Shasta Dam is a curved concrete gravity-type dam with 6.5 million cubic yards of concrete weighing 15 million tons. Construction of the dam started in 1938 and ended in 1945. The dam is 602 feet high, 883 feet thick at the bottom, 30 feet thick at the top, and 3,460 feet long. The face of the dam covers 31 acres, equal to six football fields and their stadiums. The spillway, 487 feet, is the largest manmade waterfall in the world. Three times the height of Niagra Falls. It is 375 feet wide with three drum gates each 110 feet wide, 28 feet tall, and weighing 500 tons each. There are 18 outlets on the face of the dam, each 8 1/2 feet in diameter (large enough to drive a pickup truck through) with a maximum spillage capacity of 186,000 cubic feet per second. Shasta Lake is the largest manmade reservoir in the State of California, with a drainage of 6,665 square miles.

How to Get There:

I-5 to Shasta Lake City, Exit Shasta Dam Blvd. and follow to HWY 151 which leads to the Dam.

Tips:

The Visitor Center is open daily April through October; Monday - Friday, rest of the year. Free guided tours of the Dam and Powerplant are also available daily. Call for times of tours.

Fee(s) Charged: No

Free Daily Tours

Other Important Information:

Virtual Tour

1. Diversion Tunnel Prior to the construction of the dam, the main line track of the Southern Pacific Railroad was located approximately where the powerplant building is today. So, in order to move the railroad out of the way, this tunnel was constructed to temporarily reroute the trains under the dam site.

Rerouting of the railroad was not the only use for this tunnel. In early spring 1943, after the new main line railroad was completed, the Sacramento River was diverted through it while the center spillway section was completed up to the first tier of outlets.

2. Powerplant Lobby The construction of the dam took 6 years, 9 months, of which 5 1/2 years were spent pouring concrete 24 hours a day. The concrete was poured in blocks 50 by 50 by 5 feet, there where 11,169 forms. They brought the gravel and rock from Redding by the Civic Auditorium. The Conveyor belt was 9.6 miles long.

3. Penstocks The penstocks carry water from the lake to the turbines in the powerplant. There are five penstocks each 15 feet in diameter-large enough to drive a school bus through. They are 3/4-inch thick at the top and 2 3/8-inch thick at the bottom coming into the powerplant. Each one weighs 1600 tons, and water flows at 15,000 to 18,000 gallons per second (10 to 13 miles per hour). The water enters the penstocks at about 45 degrees Farenheit and exits about 48 degrees Farenheit.

4. Powerplant Shasta Dam's Powerplant is 156 feet tall (the height of a 15-story building), 450 feet long, and 107 feet wide. It houses two overhead cranes rated at 125 tons each. There are three transformers for each of the five generators.

Shasta's Powerplant is the largest hydroelectric generating plant in California, with installed capacity of 583,000 kilowatts. The plant annually generates more than two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity or enough power for over 300,000 homes.

Just off I-5 between Redding and Red Bluff

Bureau of Land Management

Management Unit:Redding Field Office 355 Hemsted Drive

Redding CA 96002

(530) 224-2100

Amenities:

• Boat Launch
• Tent Camping
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Group Camping
• Hunting
• Picnic Area
• Wildlife Area

Description:

The Sacramento River is California's longest river. Flowing 375 miles, from the shadow of Mount Shasta in the north through the Central Valley and the Delta to San Francisco Bay, this river constitutes an irreplaceable resource to Northern California's Ecology.

Boating, fishing, camping and swimming on the Sacramento and its reservoirs attract more than 8 million visitors a year. The river's salmon fishery alone generates over $100 million annually, and more than 70% of the salmon caught off California's cost spawn in the Sacramento River, its tributaries, and its hatcheries.

The 54-mile stretch of the river from Redding to Red Bluff winds its way through a variety of landscapes. Sheer canyon walls, gentle river terraces, lush riparian vegetation, and rolling oak woodlands are all trademarks for this 40,000-acre region. BLM administers the lion's share of public land along a 26-mile, meandering river corridor and cooperatively manages several recreation sites. BLM operates one full service-campground with a boat ramp, two primitive river access sites, hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas. Float boating and rafting are popular during the hot summer months, while most hunting, horseback riding, and sight-seeing occur during the cooler months of the year. Fishing is popular year-round, with most anglers on the river during salmon and steelhead runs.

The riparian (riverside) forests ribboning the river and the adjacent oak woodlands provide a diverse habitat for wildlife.

Mammals: Beaver, black-tail deer, river otter, grey squirrel and ring-tail cat are not uncommon. Observant visitors may spy coyote, grey fox, bobcat, or mountain lion south of Balls Ferry.

Amphibians: Evening serenity is underscored by the sounds of the pacific chorus frog and the bullfrog. Daytime travelers are likely to see western pond turtles, fence lizards, and spadefoot toads.

Fish: The river supports four runs of Chinook salmon, including the endangered winter-run. More abundant species are the Pacific lamprey, steelhead and rainbow trout, striped bass, green sunfish, bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, Sacramento sucker, shad, and various catfish, minnows, herrings and sturgeon.

Birds: Counting both migratory and resident birds, nearly 200 different species have been observed along the river. Avian wildlife include the belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, egret, great blue heron, valley quail, turkey, osprey, Nutall's woodpecker and scrub jay. The river sustains various waterfowl including mallard duck, Canadian geese, cinnamon teal and merganser. The best months to see migratory waterfowl are between September and January. The most fortunate visitors may spot bank swallows, bald eagles and golden eagles.

Reading Island

Boat Ramp, Swimming Access, Camping, Picnicing P Location: Five miles east of Cottonwood, midway between Redding and Red Bluff on the Sacramento River. Take Interstate 5 to Balls Ferry exit east to Adobe Road. Elevation: 400 feet. Facilities: Eight tent/trailer campsites with charcoal grills, potable water, vault toilets; day-use picnic area, concrete boat ramp with dock, group site. Oiled roads and parking. Sacramento River access. Permits are required for use of the group site and can be obtained from the BLM office in Redding. Camping available for groups at $75 per night. Use Season: year-round. Fires: Only in grills or portable stoves. Vegetation: Oak, willow, cottonwood, blackberries, elderberry. Nearest Services: Anderson, Cottonwood.

Jellys Ferry

Day-Use, Fishing

Location: Seven miles south of Balls Ferry on Jellys Ferry Road (Gover Road), or Interstate 5 to Jellys Ferry exit.

Paynes Creek

Primitive Camping, Day-Use, Fishing Access

Location: Take Interstate 5 to Jellys Ferry Road exit, north three miles to Bend, then two miles northeast on Bend Ferry Road. Elevation: 400 feet. Area Description: Oak, grasslands, natural area with some volcanic rock scatter. Fishing access for the Sacramento River at Perry Riffle. Good opportunities for wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Area designated closed to off-highway vehicle use. Facilities: Vault toilet, no potable water. Use Season: Year-round. Nearest Services: Bend. Designated Areas: The mouth of Inks Creek and three-quarters of a mile above and below the mouth are closed to camping.

How to Get There:

I-5 to Jelly's Ferry Road just north of Red Bluff

Fee(s) Charged: No

Fee for Group Campgin at Reading Island

18 miles north of Redding, Ca. Just off I-5

USDA Forest Service

Management Unit: Lake Shasta Caverns

Lake Shasta Caverns

Box 801

O'brien, CA 96070

(530) 238-2341

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Site Fee
• Picnic Area
• Interpretive Trail

Description:

A visit to Lake Shasta Caverns is far more than just an exciting exploration of nature's underground magic, thousands of years in the making. It begins with a colorful catamaran cruise across the lake - a 15 minute sail on Shasta's sky blue waters, surrounded by majestic mountain beauty. By all means bring your camera. Opportunities are unequalled for colorful and unusual photographs you will always highly prize.

Until 1964, Lake Shasta Caverns were seen each year by only a handful of hardy "spelunkers" who inched their way through steep, restricted natural fissurs to view its startling formations. Then a tunnel was constructed to enable visitors to enter the series of connected chambers from a lower level. The caverns remain just as nature made them. Only conveniences such as paved walkways and stairs, guardrails and indirect lighting have been added. The humidity level is 95% and the temperature is a comfortable 58 degrees fahrenheit constantly.

Mulit-colored fluted columns..magnificent stone draperies in symmetrical folds..stalactite and stalagmite formations studded with brilliant crystals..milky white flowstone deposits in miniature waterfalls and other unusual and graceful forms are common place. It is this complete fairyland of nature's creations in the Caverns which has led geologists to compare its beauty favorable to that of any other limestone and marble cave in the nation.

While lore of the Wintu Indian tribe suggests the Caverns have been known since antiquity, the first recorded white explorer was James A. Richardson, a federal fisheries employee. His claim of discovery is still clearly legible on the wall where he wrote it that day - November 3, 1878 with carbide from his miner's lamp.

How to Get There:

From the main highway, Interstate 5, to the Cavern's headquarters chalet is less than 2 miles. Exit at Shasta Caverns Road, about 20 minutes north of Redding.

Tips:

Shasta Caverns is a private operation on a combination of private and forest service lands. An admission fee is charged. All tours conducted with complete guide service.

Other Important Information:

Summer Schedule: April and May tours depart hourly 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day Park and Gift Shop open at 8:00 a.m. Tours depart every 1/2 hour from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Winter Schedule: October 1 through March 31 Tours depart 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

West of Redding, Ca.

National Park Service

Management Unit: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

P.O. Box 188

Whiskeytown, CA 96095-0188

(530) 241-6584

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Boat Launch
• Campfires Allowed
• Tent Camping
• Canoeing
• Water
• RV Sanitation
• Fishing
• Food Service
• Camping Trailers
• Horse Trails

Description:

The Whiskeytown Unit of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area protects Whiskeytown Lake and its surroundings for water sports and other outdoor recreation activities. Whiskeytown is the smallest of the recreation area's three impounded lakes, but its constant level in the summer makes it ideal for recreational use. Popular water sports here include sailing, canoeing, power boating, swimming, sunbathing, and fishing from boat and shoreline on the lake and streams. Other popular activities are hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, four wheel drive touring on established back country roads, recreational gold panning, and nature study. Boats and other water craft may be rented at Oak Bottom Marina. The lake's stable summer level makes sandy beaches possible. The many coves and arms are condusive to quiet boating and canoeing, and to putting ashore for picnicking. Cold waters at the lake's western end assure good-to-excellent fishing throughout the season. Yet the waters at its eastern end are pleasantly warm for swimming and other water-contact sports. Creeks flow into the lake like networks of refreshing aquatic environments, extending recreation pleasures up into the valleys and canyons of the high slopes that surround the reservoir. These shaded corridors are fresh counterpoints to summer's heat. The surrounding extensive backcountry can be explored by primitive road, afoot, on horseback, or by combinations thereof. The eight year-round creeks drain numerous peaks, the highest of which, Shasta Bally, reaches 1,893 meters (6,209 feet) elevation, some 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above the lake surface. The result is a recreation haven of diverse possibilities and attractions.

Whiskeytown Lake resulted from the creation of the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project, designed to divert water from the Trinity River Basin to the Sacramento River.

Its workings include the Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse and the Clair A. Hill Whiskeytown Dam. The explorer of this landscape will find vast evidence of the California Gold Rush, particularly in the Tower house Historic District and in abandoned mine workings. The discerning eye-or sensitive spirit- may also find the delicate imprint of the Wintu Indians who inhabited this region from about AD 900 until the Gold Rush, when ensuing white settlement rapidly disrupted their culture.

How to Get There:

I-5 to Redding, Ca. Then west 10 miles on State Hwy 299 W.

Rules & Regulations:

Please observe all safety precautions and regulations, including those described below under specific activities. They are designed to protect both you and the area's recsources.

No fires are permitted on beaches. Use of fire may be restricted to developed campgrounds when fire danger is extreme.

Pets must be kept off beaches; they must be under physical restraint in campgrounds, near boat landings, and in other areas of concentrated human use.

Backcountry Use All overnight backcountry use requires a backcountry use permit issued free at park headquarters. With permit you may camp anywhere in the backcountry except within 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) of the lake shore.

Fee(s) Charged: Yes

Entrance Fee

Other Important Information:

Fishing is good-either from a boat or from shore and is permitted in compliance with state regulations. The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass and Kokanee.

With five square miles of open water, extensive shoreline and numerous coves, Whiskeytown Lake is an excellent area for boating, water-skiing, scuba diving and swimming. The shallows begin to warm by late May or early June, but the deeper waters remain cold all year.

Handy to every beach is a picnic area with tables, firepits and trash cans. Camping is permitted in designated areas where sanitary facilities area available.

Oak Bottom Marina Services

Boat Rentals: Choose from clean, well maintained fishing boats, sailboats, patio boats, ski boats, Hobie Cats, peddle boats and canoes.

Boat Slips and Mooring Convenience

Fishing Tackle, Bait and Fishing License available right by the docks.

Groceries, Soft Drinks, Ice, Fuel and Refreshments.

Miscellaneous Information:

Excellent boating, waterskiing, scuba diving, and swimming are available on the lake. Power boating, sailboating, and canoeing are popular. All federal and state boating regulations apply. Regulations and California Boating Tips are available on request. Please observe the restricted boating areas. There are concessioner-operated marinas at Brandy Creek and Oak Bottom. There is a launch ramp at Whiskey Creek. Camping is permitted in designated campgrounds and in the backcountry. A 14-day limit applies from May 15 to September 15; a 30-day limit otherwise.

Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking -- the extensive backcountry provides ample hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities. Hunting requires a California license. The main game species is the black-tailed deer. California regulations are available on request. Some areas are posted; please observe them. No discharge of firearms is allowed in areas of concentrated human use, including picnic areas, launch ramps, campgrounds, and concessioner facilities. Gold panning requires registration at headquarters. When you register, regulations will be provided. Recreational gold panning only is allowed. Minerals recovered may not be sold. Ranger-guided walks, gold panning demonstrations, and illustrated evening programs (at Oak Bottom Amphitheater) are provided from mid-June through Labor Day. Evening programs cover history, natural history, and recreation topics.

I-5 to 13 miles north of Redding, California

USDA Forest Service

Management Unit: Shasta Lake Ranger District

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

2400 Washington Ave.

Redding CA 96001

(530) 244-2978

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Boat Launch
• Campfires Allowed
• Tent Camping
• Showers
• Water
• Tent Trailer Sanitation
• Site Fee
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Group Camping
• Marine Recreation Area
• Resort
• Tent Trailer Access

Description:

Shasta Lake, the jewel of northern California draws visitors from all over the west coast and beyond. Whether you take a rustic Lakeside Forest Service Campsite or choose one of the many commercial campgrounds offering such ammenities as RV hookups, showers, laundry facilities or even a swimming pool, your destined to have a great time. Besides the rewarding experience of camping with family and friends, Shasta Lake offers numerous activities to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset. Whether you enjoy fishing, swimming, water skiing, wake boarding or just boating around, you can do it all on Shasta Lake. Many of the campgrounds have boat ramps just a short distance away. If you didn't bring your water toys, there are plenty of marinas that will let you play with theirs. If you get tired of the water, visit the forests. There are many scenic and historical points of interest to visit.

The area around Shasta Lake is prime hiking and mountain biking country with miles of developed trails. Don't forget to look for wildlife, including birds, large and small mammals, wildflowers, trees and plants. Keep an eye out for our Bald Eagles, too. You can also take a guided tour of Shasta Dam or the Shasta Caverns. From Shasta Lake you can take short day trips to many of Northern California's most beautiful sights. For the more adventurous, visit the back country in your 4X4. In any case, there is plenty to see and do.

This is an undiscovered camping experience for many people. You can almost always be right next to the water, and your boat. This is the perfect area for all kinds of campers, including those who like tents, sleeping under the stars, and those with motorhomes and trailers. Forest service shoreline camping is primitive, though; here you bring all of the amenities, and they take care of the trash and toilets.

How to Get There:

I-5 to Redding California, Visitors Center can provide exact directions. The California Welcome Center South of Redding in Anderson and the Shasta Lake Visitors Center 10 miles North of Redding have free Shasta Lake maps.

Tips:

Forest Service Developed Campgrounds have a maximum capacity for single units: 1 vehicle and 8 people. Double units: 2 vehicles and 16 people. Additional vehicles, if space allows, will be charged $5.00 per night. Shoreline camping areas have chemical toilets and trash collection services provided. These areas are generally open year round, services and fees are discontinued during the off season. For Forest Service Camground reservations call 1-877-444-6777. Call individually listed phone numbers for commercial campground reservations.

Fee(s) Charged: Yes

Generally Forest Service campsites range from $15.00 - $25.00 and commercial campgrounds are about $15.00 - $20.00 per night. Call for exact pricing.

I-5 to Shasta Lake City

USDA Forest Service

Management Unit: Redding Field Office

355 Hemsted Drive

Redding CA 96002

(530) 224-2100

Amenities:

• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• ATV's Allowed
• Tent Camping
• Site Fee River Access
• Camping Trailers Allowed
• Horse Trails
• Trail Bike Trails

Description:

Chappie-Shasta, a treasure trove of OHV adventures, with over 200 miles of roads and trails running through this 55,000-acre site. It is managed cooperatively by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Uses include shooting, off-highway vehicle use, picnicking, hang gliding, swimming, horseback riding, and mountain bike riding, gold panning and hunting. Parts of this area are used for competitive events, including war games, mountain bike races, off-road motorcycle races, archery competition and related camping.

How to Get There:

Interstate 5 to Shasta Dam exit. Travel west on shasta Dam Boulevard to Shasta Dam. Continue west across dam, staying on paved road to the staging area.

Tips:

All motorized vehicles must be legal for highway use or be legal for off highway use. There are two different stickers (red and green) both stickers cost $21 for 2 years. These stickers can be obtained from the DMV. A green sticker is for off-highway vehicles that meet EPA standards. A red sticker is for OHVs that do not meet EPA standards, but have restricted seasons of use. The period of restricted use for Chappie-Shasta is from October 1st to May 31st.

Fee(s) Charged: Yes

Camping Fee of $10.00 per day

Other Important Information:

Elevation: Ranges from 600-4,649 feet.

Facilities: U.S. Forest Service fee campground with 30 units, vault toilets, OHV staging area with loading ramp, day-use parking, full-time site attendant, and hosts.

Vegetation: Ranges from Sacramento River riparian, manzanita chaparral, and knobcone pine at lower elevations to oak woodland, Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir at higher elevations and on north slopes.

Stay Limits: 14 days

Use Fees: Camping - $10.00 per day.

Use Season: Year round.

Fires: Permitted in fire rings only.

Nearest Services: Shasta Lake City or Redding

4 miles east of Anderson, Ca.

US Fish & Wildlife

Management Unit: Coleman National Fish Hatchery

Coleman National Fish Hatchery

Route 1, Box 2105

Anderson, CA 96007

(530) 365-8622

Amenities:

• Interpretive Fish Viewing
• Mens / Womens Restrooms
• Interpretive Trails

Description:

HATCHERY GOALS

The goal of Coleman National Fish Hatchery is to ensure the continued survival of chinook salmon and steelhead trout in Battle Creek and the Sacramento River. Hatchery production fosters the survival of many more fish than would occur if the adults were allowed to spawn naturally in Battle Creek. this in turn increases the total number of fish that can be enjoyed by all. More than 70 percent of chinook salmon harvested in California waters by sport and commercial fishermen originate in the Sacramento River system. Coleman Hatchery is a major contributor to that system.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Hatchery fish have been produced in the northern Sacramento Valley for over 100 years. It was on the McCloud River that the Baird Station, the first national fish hatchery, was established in 1872. the Battle Creek National Fish Cultural Station, located near the mouth of the river, was established in 1896. Until construction of Shasta and Keswick dams, chinook salmon and steelhead trout migrated to the upper reaches of the Sacramento, Pit, and McCloud rivers to spawn. The Coleman National Fish Hatchery was established in 1942 to mitigate the loss of historic spawning grounds for salmon.

IN THE HATCHERY

The Sacramento River chinook salmon population is only half of what it was 30 years ago. About 95 percent of California's historically productive salmon and steelhead trout streams-miles have been lost because of human influence. Historic spawning areas have been blocked by dams and debris. Unscreened water intakes have diverted fish from the river and dumped them on farm land. Heavy metals, pesticieds, and other pollutants have killed many fish. Silt has blocked the pores in gravel spawning beds where eggs were once kept alive in fast flowing oxygen-rich water.

Methods used in the hatchery are the result of many years of experience and research and are designed to put as many young fish into our rivers as possible, given the resources available. Each year about 26 million chinook salmon and 1-1/2 million steelhead trout eggs are taken from about 10,000 returning parent fish.

How to Get There:

The hatchery is located beside Battle Creek, about 11 miles southeast of Anderson, California. Turn east off Interstate 5 at Deschutes Road at Anderson, then drive 2 miles, turn right onto Balls Ferry Bridge on the Sacramento River, turn right once over the bridge, then drive 1-1/2 miles then turn left at the next road and drive to the station entrance. Signs guide the way.

Tips:

Call ahead for hours of operation and group tour information.

Self-guided Trail

Geology: Less than 20,000 yeas ago, the lava of the Hat Creek flow was discharged in large volumes from a series of north-south fissures (cracks in the earth). This river of lava located near the town of Old Station, crawled northward 16 miles, covering the floor of Hat Creek Valley. While the top crust cooled and hardened, rivers of red-hot lava insulated by newly formed rock above, continued to flow. Eventually, the lava drained away, leaving tube-like caves. The entrance to the cave was formed by a partial collapse of the cave's roof many years ago. Subway Cave is the largest accessible tube in the flow.

Location: Subway Cave is located near the town of Old Station, 1/4 mile north of the junction of Highway 44 & 89 across from Cave Campground.

Temperature: Temperature inside the cave remains a cool 46 degrees Fahrenheit year around. Be sure to take a jacket with you.

Safety: Rough floor, watch your step, low ceiling, sturdy shoes advised!

Season of Use: Cave is open late May through October. Closed during the winter months.

Visibility - Visibility is zero. Take a dependable flashlight with you. There are self-guided trail signs inside.

Length - 1,300 feet of winding lava tube. The total trail length is 1/3 mile.

Roof - Thickness varies from 8 to 24 feet.

Height - Varies from 6 to 17 feet.

For a printable guide and map of Subway Cave in the Hat Creek Recreation Area visit our Maps & Brochures page, look under Guides/Brochures.

For More Information - Please contact the Hat Creek Ranger District or stop by the Old Station Visitor Information Center (located near Subway Cave).

If you would like to do more spelunking, Lava Beds National Monument, located an hour and a half northeast of Subway Cave has several more lava tubes to explore.

Hat Creek Ranger District

PO Box 220

Fall River Mills, CA 96028

(530) 336-5521

Located within the southern portion of the Cascade Mountain Range is 16,335 acres of contrasting topography. Thousand Lakes Wilderness is midway between the town of Burney and Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Volcanic and glacial formations, rocky ravines, mountain slopes, open meadows, and stands of lodgepole pine and red fir define the Wilderness. It is dominated by 8,677 foot Crater Peak, the highest point on the Lassen National Forest, and is a reminder of the glacial action that eroded Thousand Lakes Volcano and created the many small lakes and ponds scattered throughout. The lowest point in the Wilderness occurs at the base of the volcano at 5,546 feet. The seven major lakes that lie within the Wilderness valley contain trout. Several species of wildlife make their home in the Wilderness. With a little luck and a good pair of binoculars you might spot some the more permanent residents; black-tailed deer, black bear, pika, pine marten, northern goshawk, spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and Clark's nutcracker. Even elk have been known to visit occasionally.

Another critter worth mentioning is the mosquito. At times they are thick and hungry. It would be advisable to carry insect repellent in your pack.

The summer use period is approximately June 15 to October 15, although early spring could open up the lower areas by Memorial Day. Your experience will be enhanced and impacts will lessened by avoiding weekends and holidays, and heavily used areas. Snowstorms can arrive unexpectedly, and hypothermia is a concern anytime of the year. Check our Current Conditions page for forecasted weather information.

Trail Access:

Trail access is available at three trailheads; Tamarack, Bunchgrass and Cypress. Magee Trail is no longer maintained. Full detailed descriptions of trailhead access are available on a new topographic map. There are smaller road junctions that are not mentioned on this map and new roads due to logging and private property in the area. If in doubt, stay on the main road indicated and continue to watch for intersections at the mileages given. Road signs are not always present.

Planning & Packing:

Things you might want to take along include waterproof matches, extra food, extra clothing, a first-aid kit, flashlight, space blanket (a blanket made of light, heat reflective material), pocket knife, sunburn protection, insect repellant, toilet tissue, candle, compass, and maps.

Maps are the "street signs" of the Wilderness. Bring plenty of them. A topographical map is an essential backcountry orientating tool. The elevation lines tell the story of the land and can give you a mental picture of the area. If you become lost or disoriented, the best way to familiarize yourself with the lay of the land is to climb the nearest ridge or peak. Start by orienting your map to the north, by compass, and pinpointing your exact location. From there continue on your planned course checking your map and compass regularly.

Water Filter: The crystal waters can be deceiving. They look clear, cold, and inviting but should never be taken for safe drinking water. Giardia is the hidden hazard. The best way to protect yourself from the microscopic organism is to carry a water filter with you. Boiling for three to five minutes will also destroy Giardia and other water organisms.

Feed for Pack Animals: Thousand Lakes Wilderness has limited areas for forage. To protect the wilderness, users are encouraged to pack in (certified weed free) supplemental feed for their animals.

Leave no Trace:

Lassen National Forest recommends the use of "NO TRACE" camping techniques. "NO TRACE" camping is an attitude that leads to enjoyment of the wilderness without changing or damaging it. Remember, "in the wilderness, you are the visitor."

The Campsite: As you search for a comfortable site, look for one that won't be damaged. Fragile areas such as lakeshores and damp meadows should be avoided. In order to perpetuate a high quality wilderness, PLEASE camp at least 100 feet away from water and trails.

Campfires: If you do build a campfire in a previously unused site, you can minimize the impact by not building a rock ring and using a small pit dug in sandy soil. Carefully check the ashes by feeling them with the back of your hand to be sure the fire is completely out. Bury the ashes and replace the soil, plants and rocks that you removed from the hole. Fire patrols cannot fully prevent human-caused fires without the help of Forest visitors, please be careful with the use of fire. Campfire permits are required for campfires, cookstoves and lanterns that require fuel. Please check for campfire restrictions that may ban the use of campfires during very hot, dry conditions.

Cleaning up/Sanitation: There's one general rule to remember: IF YOU CAN PACK IT IN FULL, YOU CAN PACK IT OUT EMPTY. Anything left behind creates an eyesore and a hazard to the local wildlife. Materials made of aluminum, plastic or glass will not break down in the soil and animals will dig them up, so please don't bury them.

Horses and Pack Stock: Thousand Lakes Wilderness has limited areas for forage. To protect the wilderness, users are encouraged to pack in (certified weed free) supplemental feed for their animals. Pack and saddle stock should be picketed at least 100 feet away from water, trails, campsites, and meadows. Only tether horses to trees for short periods as hooves can cause damage to tree roots and plants.

On the Trail: With the increase in popularity of back country travel, it is more important than ever for everyone to follow the rules of common courtesy and good mountain manners. A wilderness outing can offer many things; but most people seek solitude, peace and quiet.

To protect plants and prevent soil erosion, stay on the trail in single file. If you come across a fallen tree or other obstacle, notify local officials as soon as possible. Cutting blazes on trees will leave permanent scars.

With our help, our children's children will have the opportunity to know this wild and rugged country.

Of Wilderness and Multiple Use: Wilderness makes up 8% of the Lassen National Forest's 1.2 million acres. Wilderness management is only part of the forest's multiple use story, the forest meet timber and range needs, is a major supplier of recreation in Northeastern California and actively protects and enhances wildlife habitat, watershed, and cultural resources.