Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake
North from Redding past Shasta Dam and granite crags to Mount Shasta, the McCloud River waterfalls and the lava caves of the Modoc Plateau.
- Distance
- 384 km (239 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 16 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- States
- CA, OR
- Updated
- May 31, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 384 km (239 mi) with 8 stops, from Redding to Crater Lake National Park. About 4 h 16 min of driving in total.
More road trips in California, Oregon
Route description
From Redding, drive about 20 minutes north on I-5 and follow the signs to Shasta Dam, where a vista point shows the lake and, on clear days, Mount Shasta about 50 miles away. Back on I-5, the road climbs the Sacramento River canyon. Castle Crags State Park has a steep narrow road up to a vista point below the granite spires; leave trailers at the lower day-use lot.
The town of Mount Shasta sits at the foot of the 14,179-foot volcano. The Everitt Memorial Highway climbs from town to Bunny Flat at about 7,000 feet, with trails into the alpine zone in summer. Then take SR-89 east through McCloud to the McCloud River Falls: Lower Falls is by a picnic area, and a riverside path links it to the middle and upper falls.
From McCloud, head north toward Lava Beds National Monument by way of US-97 and the Tulelake area, about two and a half hours of driving. Some routes use forest roads; the paved way via US-97 and SR-161 is simpler with a motorhome. At the visitor center, get the free cave permit and explore lava tubes such as Mushpot and Skull Cave with good lights, a helmet and warm clothes.
Leave Lava Beds north on SR-139 into Oregon and continue to Klamath Falls, about an hour away, for fuel and supplies. From there, US-97 and OR-62 lead north to Crater Lake National Park in about 90 minutes. Rim Drive is usually fully open only from July to October; in winter only the road to Rim Village is ploughed. Campgrounds at Lava Beds and Crater Lake fill quickly in summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Redding
CA - 218 km
Shasta Dam
HistoryShasta Lake, CAA curved concrete dam completed in 1945, holding back California’s largest reservoir with Mount Shasta on the horizon. There is a visitor center and a vista point; the road across the crest is open to pedestrians.
- 358 km
Castle Crags State Park
NatureCastella, CAGranite spires rising above I-5 south of Dunsmuir. A short drive climbs to a vista point, and the steep Crags Trail leads toward Castle Dome; there is a campground by the Sacramento River.
- 422 km
Mount Shasta
CA - 530 km
McCloud River Falls
NatureMcCloud, CAThree waterfalls on the McCloud River linked by a riverside trail of about two miles each way. Lower Falls is next to a picnic area off SR-89 east of McCloud; the upper falls drops through a basalt gorge.
- 682 km
Lava Beds National Monument
NatureTulelake, CAA volcanic landscape with hundreds of lava tube caves, several open for self-guided exploring. Get the free cave permit at the visitor center, bring helmets and lights, and see the Modoc War sites; entrance fee.
- 773 km
Klamath Falls
OR - 8101 km
Crater Lake National Park
NatureCrater Lake, ORThe deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcano. Rim Drive is usually fully open from July to October.
FAQs
How long is Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake?
4-day road trip of about 384 km (239 mi) with 8 stops, from Redding to Crater Lake National Park. About 4 h 16 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake?
We suggest 4 days: about 4 h 16 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake start and end?
It starts in Redding and ends in Crater Lake National Park.
Which states does Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake pass through?
California and Oregon.
