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.
Shasta Dam on the Sacramento River is a 602-foot (183 m) curved concrete gravity dam and part of the Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project. The dam is 3,460 feet (about 1,050 m) long. Groundbreaking took place in September 1937, and construction lasted until 1945: the last concrete was poured on January 2, 1945. The reservoir, Shasta Lake, holds about 4.55 million acre-feet (about 5.6 billion cubic meters) at full capacity, making it California's largest reservoir; Mount Shasta forms the backdrop.
The Bureau of Reclamation runs a visitor center and, according to Wikipedia, offers tours year-round (not rechecked as of October 2026). A tour takes two to three hours and includes an elevator ride to the base of the dam. Wikivoyage also recommends the view from the dam crest, "not for the faint of heart." Check hours and access rules in advance, as they change.
- Nearest town
- Shasta Lake, CA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 40.7185, -122.4190
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Ackerman CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Shasta DamToiletsWaste disposal
- Hayward Flat CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Shasta Dam · 98 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Alpine View CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Shasta Dam · 54 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Clark Springs CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Shasta Dam · 20 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Bushytail CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Shasta DamTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Stoney Point CampgroundCampsite25 mi from Shasta DamTentsDrinking water
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Shasta Dam?
Shasta Dam is in Shasta Lake, CA, at GPS 40.7185, -122.4190. It is about 9 mi from Redding.
Can you camp near Shasta Dam?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Mountain Gate RV Park, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 68 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Shasta Dam?
Shasta Dam is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake.
What is there to see near Shasta Dam?
Places worth a stop nearby: Castle Crags State Park (30 mi), McCloud River Falls (42 mi), McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (45 mi) and Manzanita Lake (47 mi).
When is the best time to visit Shasta Dam?
The most pleasant months are usually May–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)