Free Concierge Service

Things to do nearLake Siskiyou

Lake Siskiyou is a pristine mountain reservoir in Northern California, beloved for its calm waters, sandy beaches, and sweeping views of Mount Shasta.

Browse experiences

Lake Siskiyou sits at roughly 3,200 feet elevation in Siskiyou County, formed by the damming of the Sacramento River headwaters in the early 1970s. The reservoir was built to support irrigation and recreation, and it has since become one of the most visited natural destinations in the Mount Shasta region.

The lake covers about 430 acres and is known for its unusually clear water, fed by snowmelt from the surrounding Cascade and Klamath ranges. Swimmers appreciate the gradual sandy entry near the main beach, while anglers find rainbow trout and bass in the cooler depths. Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular ways to take in the full panorama of the shoreline and the volcanic peak rising to the north.

The Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort operates the primary facility on the western shore, offering boat rentals, a snack bar, and a swim area. Trails nearby connect to the Castle Crags wilderness and other corridors in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Few places in California offer this combination of accessible mountain swimming, quiet forest trails, and an unobstructed view of a 14,000-foot peak, making Lake Siskiyou a destination worth the drive to the far north of the state.

Lake Siskiyou, California 96067, USA

7-day forecast

TodaySatSunMonTueWedThu

Tips for visiting Lake Siskiyou

Visit early in the morning during summer for the calmest water and the clearest reflections of Mount Shasta on the lake surface.

Bring a paddleboard or kayak, as non-motorized watercraft are well suited to the calm, clear conditions typical of Lake Siskiyou.

Pack a picnic and claim a spot near the sandy beach early, as the shoreline fills quickly on warm weekends.

Wear water shoes when entering the lake, since the rocky sections of the shoreline can be slippery underfoot.

Explore the Lake Siskiyou Trail, a roughly nine-mile loop that circles the entire reservoir and offers changing views of the water and surrounding forest.