# 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.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b17-volcanic-legacy/

**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. 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 |
| Route | Redding → Crater Lake National Park |
| States | CA, OR |
| Updated | June 3, 2026 |

## 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

1. **Redding** (CA)
2. **Shasta Dam** (Shasta Lake, CA): A 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.
3. **Castle Crags State Park** (Castella, CA): Granite 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.
4. **Mount Shasta** (CA)
5. **McCloud River Falls** (McCloud, CA): Three 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.
6. **Lava Beds National Monument** (Tulelake, CA): A 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.
7. **Klamath Falls** (OR)
8. **Crater Lake National Park** (Crater Lake, OR): The 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.