Where to Stay in Mount Shasta (Best Places & Areas)

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta is one of the smaller California mountain towns. Mount Shasta’s population is only 3,200, making it incredibly easy to navigate.

Mount Shasta City is the main place to stay in Mount Shasta. It has the widest variety of Mount Shasta hotels. However, Mount Shasta City is small, so it’s common for visitors to stay in neighboring mountain towns. 

McCloud, Dunsmuir, and Weed are all additional places to consider staying around Mount Shasta. 

Mount Shasta City

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Recreation | ✨ Best Mount Shasta City Hotels: Cold Creek Inn • Strawberry Valley Inn • LOGE Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta City is the best place to stay in Mount Shasta to be near the top attractions, or to set up base camp for climbing the giant namesake mountain.

You can check hiking, skiing, and climbing conditions from the Fifth Season gear store in Mount Shasta City. This outdoor outlet is also a one-stop shop for all things gear-related. 

Need snacks for your hike up Horse Camp Trail? Want a new bike chain before hitting the South Fork Outlook Road? Fifth Season’s got you covered.

Yaks Shack is one of the best eateries in town to fill up on big, juicy burgers and other carbs before beginning your outdoor adventures. Seven Suns Coffee & Cafe is my go-to spot for all things caffeine. It has an outdoor patio surrounded by dense pine, which is why it’s also the ideal place to catch up on work or read a good book.

Cold Creek Inn is an affordable hotel right behind Yaks Shack. Cold Creek Inn also has one of the best views in town of the gorgeous snow-covered Mount Shasta. Another solid lodging option is LOGE Mount Shasta, one of the newer accommodations in town with an on-site cafe.

Pros of Staying in Mount Shasta City Neighborhood:

• Close to top Mount Shasta City attractions like Mount Shasta City Park
• Near Shasta-Trinity National Forest hiking and biking trails
• Close to the bulk of Shasta restaurants and accommodations

Cons of Staying in Mount Shasta City Neighborhood:

• Hotel prices can double during the summer
• It can get busy during peak season
• There may be weekend traffic

Lake Siskiyou

👉 Best Area For Family Fun | ✨ Best Lake Siskiyou Hotels: Mount Shasta Resort • Mount Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast • Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort

Lake Siskiyou is the perfect place to stay in the greater Mount Shasta area for families who’d like to get away from the Shasta crowds. 

The deep blue waters of this alpine lake make it one of the most scenic lakes in California. The reservoir is just 2.3 miles from Mount Shasta at the base of the 14,000-foot mountain.

Families with kids of all ages will enjoy walking and biking the multi-use trail around the lake. Boat and paddleboard rentals are also available at places like Lake Siskiyou Resort during summer. There are many marinas and ramps around the lake. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort also hosts a kid’s inflatable Splash Zone for hours of fun.

Mount Shasta Resort is one of the most scenic places to stay in the area. This huge cabin-style lodge takes the cake for the best overall accommodation on our list. Most chalets have a lake view and the on-site golf course is a big plus.

Pros of Staying in Lake Siskiyou Neighborhood:

• A quiet retreat in the middle of the woods
• Right on the lake
• Far away from tourist crowds
• Luxurious accommodations

Cons of Staying in Lake Siskiyou Neighborhood:

• Far from main Mount Shasta eateries
• Far from Mount Shasta Ski Park
• Accommodation can be expensive

Dunsmuir

👉 Best Area For Water-Centered Recreation | ✨ Best Dunsmuir Hotels: Mossbrae Hotel • Dunsmuir Inn & Suites • Dunsmuir Lodge

Dunsmuir is only 8.7 miles south of Mount Shasta and this small mountain town is known for its variety of waterfall hikes. 

Outdoor recreation in Dunsmuir is centered around bodies of water. Visit mountain lakes, waterfalls, fly-fishing streams, and the Sacramento River if you book a place in Dunsmuir.

Test your luck by fishing for rainbow trout in the Sacramento River or try to catch brown trout from the McCloud River. The hike to Castle Lake is a top Dunsmuir attraction and one of the best things to do in Northern California. It’s 10.2 miles roundtrip, though, so Castle Lake is best suited for hikers with a high fitness level.

The Mossbrae Hotel is one of the most luxurious Shasta hotels in the greater Mount Shasta area. Mossbrae Hotel offers guests a unique, homey charm with clean hotel rooms. It’s one of the best hotels for an extended stay in the Mount Shasta area.

Pros of Staying in Dunsmuir Neighborhood:

• Near cool hiking trails and lots of water-centered activities
• Close to luxurious accommodations
• Attractions are less crowded than in Mount Shasta

Cons of Staying in Dunsmuir Neighborhood:

• Farther from Mount Shasta, CA attractions
• Not many hotels to choose from
• Farther from climbing trails and campgrounds near Shasta Mountain

Weed

👉 Best Area For Budget Accommodation | ✨ Best Weed Hotels: Hi-Lo Motel, Cafe, and RV Park • Comfort Inn

Weed, California is around 10 miles north of Mount Shasta, and it’s a major tourist spot along a California road trip. Weed was put on the map in the 1940s because it had the largest sawmill in the world. Although the lumber mill is still in operation, Weed has a different reputation today.

Gag gifts galore await in Weed gift shops and gas stations. But Weed boasts more than just weed joke paraphernalia. 

Other Weed attractions include the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden. Here, you can admire evocative sculptures dedicated to war veterans. Head to Lake Shastina to spend a peaceful moment by the water, or visit the Weed Historic Lumber Town Museum to dive into local history.

Hi-Lo Motel, Cafe, and RV Park is one of the most popular places to stay in Weed. Hi-Lo Motel is pet and budget-friendly, and conveniently located, making it a top pick for Mount Shasta, CA accommodations. The on-site cafe is also a perk of the motel and serves hamburgers, milkshakes, and salads.

Pros of Staying in Weed Neighborhood:

• Affordable accommodation
• Away from tourist crowds
• An easy-going atmosphere
• Near Lake Shastina Golf Resort

Cons of Staying in Weed Neighborhood:

• Not many accommodation options to choose from
• Few restaurants in the area
• Farther away from Shasta Mountain

Mount Shasta Campgrounds

👉 Best Area For Camping | ✨ Best Mount Shasta Campgrounds: Mount Shasta City KOA • Chateau Shasta RV & Mobile Home Park • Friendly RV Park

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy an overnight stay in Mount Shasta. I recommend going this route if you want to spend as much time as possible hiking and taking in the beautiful Mt Shasta views. 

Camping is available in all previously mentioned neighborhoods, including free backcountry campgrounds. My favorite place to camp near Shasta City is on the mountain. Horse Camp and Helen Lake (High Camp) are two amazing backcountry campgrounds on Mount Shasta. 

Horse Camp only requires a 3.5-mile roundtrip endeavor. Helen Lake requires more of a push with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. The sunsets are worth it at this 10,400-foot campsite, however.

Mount Shasta City KOA is the most developed campground in the area with every amenity imaginable. Kids love staying at this KOA campground because of its pool, playground, and basketball court.

Friendly RV Park is close to Weed, California, and is a great alternative for Mount Shasta, CA campers. You’ll find full hookups here, as well as newly remodeled bathrooms and fun games like cornhole and horseshoes.

Pros of Staying in Mount Shasta Campgrounds:

• More affordable than most Mount Shasta, CA hotels
• Plenty of availability throughout the greater Mount Shasta, CA area
• Can accommodate campers of all sizes

Cons of Staying in Mount Shasta Campgrounds:

• Fewer amenities are available 
• Can be cold in the wintertime
• You need your own recreational vehicle

Tips for Staying in Mount Shasta

Know When to Go

Knowing when to visit Mount Shasta can make or break your trip. Winters in Shasta are extremely cold, and temperatures frequently drop below zero.

Mount Shasta retains snow from early winter until late spring every year (sometimes even into early summer). I highly recommend visiting Mount Shasta in the summer or early fall months if cold weather isn’t for you.

Pack Warm Clothes

You’ll want to pack warm clothes regardless of the season you visit Mount Shasta, CA. I’ve been to Shasta in the late summer and had goosebumps by the time nightfall came around.

I bring either my Patagonia Synchillaor Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hoodie with me on every road trip. The Cotopaxi down jacket compacts down into its pocket, making it luggage-friendly.

Don’t Forget the Hiking Essentials

Mount Shasta is a hiking wonderland. Make sure you bring the hiking essentials with you so you don’t miss out on some of the best things to do in Shasta. 

Be sure to look over our winter hiking gear essentials checklist if you plan on hiking in the Mount Shasta area in winter. For summer hiking, make sure you pack enough water and food, sunscreen, a sun hat, and adequate hiking shoes.

Take Day Trips

Mount Shasta is only 60 miles from the California/ Oregon border. Be adventurous during your stay in Mount Shasta by crossing over the border and experiencing a new US state.

Bring Your Swimming Gear

Mount Shasta is surrounded by bodies of water. Bring your swimming gear if visiting the area in the summertime. 

Strawberry Valley Inn, Mount Shasta Inn, Mount Shasta Resort, and Mount Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast are Shasta accommodations that offer on-site swimming pools. Bring your bathing suit to enjoy a refreshing summer dip.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Mount Shasta

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I hope you feel good about choosing where to stay in Mount Shasta now. Leave a comment to let me know where you plan to stay when visiting Mount Shasta!

Check out my guide to the 51 Best Things to Do in California for even more Northern California fun.