Location: Dunsmuir
Top Things to do in Dunsmuir
What to do and see in Dunsmuir, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Dunsmuir in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Waterfalls. Discover best things to do in Dunsmuir with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Dunsmuir
1. Hedge Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By kirstine2013 - San Francisco, California
Just off the freeway and an easy hike down through the forest, you come upon this delightful waterfall in front of a womb-like cavern. You can stand behind the waterfall and be sprayed by the water, cooling you down on a hot day. Red, iron-laden soil has been used to leave handprints on the rocks. Looking up there are tall columns of hexagonal basalt stone which when touched, make you feel this is a place where heaven & earth meet. Following the path beyond the waterfall, there is a vista point overlooking the Sacramento River. One warning: don't stray from the path, there is poison oak everywhere.
2. Castle Crags State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By xmindbender - Mount Shasta, California
This is our second summer hosting here and the hiking possibilities are nearly endless. The Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) intersects the park thus you can load up and head south to Mexico (1400mi) or north to Canada (1100mi). The park connects to the wilderness area that contains the Crags and the trails are superbly maintained until you cross over into the wilderness area at which point they are still very passable. (camping details below)
The Vista is a 1/4m walk (handicap accessible) and sports amazing views of Mt. Shasta and the Crags to include telescopes (free).
The Root Creek trail (handicap accessible) is a mile in and you can choose to take the 'beaten path' (fairly easy) to a gorgeous 60' waterfall (an extra half mile or 3 miles total in and out).
Flume Creek is a great trail (moderate) that leads to panoramic views. It begins at the bottom of the park rather than the upper parking lot. Connect with the PCT and take Bob's Hat back down for a 8 mile loop with about 2500' gross elevation gain. You can also connect to the Castle Dome trail (10m loop with 3500'(+-) gross gain) as well as root creek, the vista trail or just follow the PCT down to KettleBelly and back to your rig (10.5m).
The river trail boasts a suspension walk bridge over the Sacramento River and follows the very scenic river for about a mile. An easy trail that is true rolling single-track.
Castle Dome is the beast and it is 2.75m up to get to the Base of the Dome where you can scamper about in the Craigs and climb until your heat is content. Elevation gain to the base is about 2500' from the upper parking lot and 3.7m and 3200' from the lower lot (head up Bob's Hat to the Castle Dome Trail.) A stop at Indian Springs should be considered mandatory as it is 2/10m away from the Dome trail and featured a huge granite boulder that weeps spring water. Amazing. Park officials cannot call it potable water as it has not been treated, however, humans have been drinking it for thousands of years and continue to do so today. I call it life water and had a belly full just yesterday but drink at your own risk. There is a great place to fill up bottles in the upper right hand side of the boulder...you have to scramble just a little to get there. The trail to the Dome get a bit more difficult after this as the trail is not improved as much as it is worn... large rocks, using roots as steps etc. Not difficult technically until you start down on wobbly legs. We get a couple of rescues a year from mishaps on the way down. It is amazing on top. Go early in the AM during the hot months. The parking lot can fill up on the weekends/holidays by 8am.
Camping: The park was built before I5 cut it in two. There are tent sites along the river and in the woods west of the 5. The lower units have these amazing rock fire pits designed for cooking and built by the Conservation Corps in the 40's. Great tent camping, clean restrooms and currently the showers are free (coin machines are broken and not likely to be fixed this summer). We also have PCT campsites (reduced rate) and a few RV spots w/o amenities (27' max).
Once you get away from the highway this place is an absolute jewel. And, once you are done...ya gotta go to Yaks for grub. A nationally ranked pub type restaurant that where everything is homemade and the burgers rule supreme. We are foodies and travel full time and can tell you that this place rocks. 2o microbrews on tap and 40 more in the fridge. A serious eatery. The combination of the Castle Dome trail and Yaks makes this an epic destination. Or bring your gear and climb one of the many cliff faces. Mt Hubris seems to be a favorite.
3. Mount Shasta
4. Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By Brittany_11_10 - Los Angeles, California
Nice gardens, well-kept, just off I-5 near Dunsmuir. Perhaps it's best in the summer, when more flowers and the like are in bloom, but it was still nice in early winter. Worth a stop if you're in the area anyway, or if you simply fancy a break from the 5 to sit and enjoy nature.
5. Lake Siskiyou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By ragsdad - orange county
We were exploring the area while staying in nearby Dunsmuir when we happened on this lake. We paid a $2.00 entry fee and drove through a nice campground down to the lake. There is an awesome view of Mt. Shasta over the lake and when you added in the beautiful billowy clouds it made for a heavenly sight. We sat near the beach for awhile watching the people splash around enjoy themselves. This would be a great place to camp as they also had a waterpark and boat rentals. Would love to come back with our tent for a week.
6. Mossbrae Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Michael g - San Francisco, California
We've visited many beautiful waterfalls during our travels, but the reward in seeing Mossbrae Falls after a perilous (and somewhat illegal) hike makes it that much more special. It is an idyllic spot - so peaceful and relaxing (except when trains pass just 40 meters away). Wear very sturdy shoes on the hike as the railroad bed is composed of very sharp rocks. If you exercise extreme caution, you will be rewarded with a unique lasting memory.
7. Castle Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By DR FRANK L - Mount Shasta, California
You cant beat the experience of driving up to Castle Lake. Beautiful windy road that gains elevation with great views of Mt Shasta and Black Butte across the valley! But that is also the problem. Since you can drive anyone can an unfortunately people come to "squat" for lengthy periods of time. God made us all a little "different" which is good but sometimes too different for me. Disease and hygiene are big on my avoid lists and well to some others not so much. If you drive up its pot-luck for occupants. If you don't like what you see turn around and try another day as there is plenty else to do in the area.
That aside early in the AM the surface of the lake can be like glass and reflect the granite wall on the far side majestically. The ripple of a surfacing fish might be the only thing to wake you up from your trance. The water tends to be super clean especially late June on. Sometimes a little snow and ice remains too so don't dive in. If you tolerate the water temperature you can try to swim to the large rock that is easily visible from parking area. On the far sideline is a Little pebble strewn beach that will allow for a swim to a floating dock about 100 yards out. Those intrepid adventurers can swim from the pebble beach to the triangle cliffs for some cliff diving. The water is deep and ive seen 25 foot or more jumps into the pristine water. I feel you have a kayakyou can't spend a happier day than lying back drifting with the breezes. A wonderful place to spend a day!
8. Tauhindauli Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 1976MargaretW - Arroyo Grande, California
Before this park was built, it used to be a simple river access turn off from the road. My late husband was an avid fly-fisherman and this was one of his favorite local spots to fish -- far from the reckless casting of the many "wanna-be" fishermen drawn to this part of the river canyon! Tauhindauli has been nicely planned & laid out, with adequate parking, picnic tables, walking paths; even a ramp / landing for handicapped fishermen! The I-5 overpass (above) can be a bit distracting, but those who stay focused on the strong roar of the river and enjoy the occasional passing trains find these more than compensate for the distant freeway noise. If you know which fly to use, the fishing will be excellent!
9. Mount Shasta City Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By Mikeview - Clayton, California
Interesting park enclosed in the woods with lovely grounds and tables suitable for picnics. The spring that flows on the northern end of the park is said to be the headwaters of the Sacramento River and provides water that people trap in plastic containers for drinking as well as a small downstream pool which is used for bathing.
10. Siskiyou Arts Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Siskiyou Arts Museum (SAM) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, volunteer-run gift shop and gallery in the Historic Downtown Dunsmuir District. We feature 60 to 100 local and regional artists in our gift shop or two large gallery spaces and offer rental space for community and private events and workshops.
Reviewed By Ron Y - Corona del Mar, California
We just happened to stop by and were very impressed with the quality of the Art. An interesting exhibit and friendly and knowledgable staff.
