USDA Forest Service · California
Castle Lake Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,282 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CASTLE LAKE C.G. (NFSR 39N03Y) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest
- Nearest town
- Mount Shasta
- Address
- CA
- Activities
- <p> At the Castle Lake Campground: Total of 6 units. Average max. trailer size = 10 foot.</p> <p> There are also popular dispersed sites on the Castle Lake Road. The Forest Boundary begins two miles uphill from the turnoff to the lake, just past Lake Siskiyou. There are a few spur roads off the main highway that are suitable for camping. One of the best areas is the site of the old Nordic Center about one mile below Castle Lake. This location has an excellent view of Mt. Shasta. The old parking landings make level sites for RV’s. Better tent sites are found back near the trees where there is more shade and privacy. <strong>Directions:</strong> From exit 738 off I-5, head west on Lake Street to the intersection with Old Stage Road. Turn left (south) then stay right at the fork in the road. In two miles you will cross the dam that forms Lake Siskiyou. Immediately after the dam, turn left on Castle Lake Road and drive 7 miles to the lake. The campground is located below the lake and
About
Description: This small primitive campground is nestled in a thick mixed conifer forest approximately ¼ mile below Castle Lake. There are 6 sites with tables, fire rings and vault toilets. Bring your own water. 3-night limit. No fee. No reservations. Not recommended for large vehicle or trailers. Usually opens around the end of May depending on when the snow melts, and usually is closed by snow around the first of November. Features: Visitors may walk or drive the short distance to the lake. Castle Lake is a pristine glacial cirque lake with granite cliffs and clear water, one of the most popular attractions in the Mt. Shasta area. Hiking, swimming, fishing, and flat-water kayaking are favorite activities here. There are a few hiking trails to explore including the short and easy Shoreline Trail on the west side of the lake.
Special note about Castle Lake
Please be aware that Castle Lake is partially situated on private property. The traditional trail to Heart Lake and Little Castle Lake leaves the east end of the parking area and ascends to the divide above the east side of the lake. It begins on public land in section 24 of T39N R5W but immediately crosses the boundary of section 19 of T39N R4W. This entire section of land (about 640 acres) is privately owned property and posted as such. There is no legal access across this section to these lakes. Please be respectful and avoid trespassing. However, the west shore of the lake is public and features a short trail with easy access to the water.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 27° | 13° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 26° | 1° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 26° | 8° | 72° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 49° | 29° | 18° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 63° | 39° | 29° | 76° | 5 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 46° | 32° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 56° | 43° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 83° | 56° | 45° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 75° | 48° | 40° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 64° | 40° | 30° | 75° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 46° | 32° | 15° | 65° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 26° | 11° | 56° | 9 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Gumboot Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Toad Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Castle Crags State Park · California State Parks · 7 mi
- Girard Ridge Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Mcbride Springs Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.