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**Due to abundant snowpack and winter storm damage, campground openings will be delayed roughly a month. If sites can be opened sooner details will be available on the website and with the Ranger station.**
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.
From Mt. Shasta city, head west on Lake Street over the freeway and to the stop sign at Old Stage Road. Turn left (south) and drive 1/4 mile to a fork in the road. Stay to the right at the fork and continue on this road (W.A. Barr Road). In 2 miles you will cross the dam at Lake Siskiyou and then you will see the turnoff for Castle Lake. Turn left and drive the paved road 7 miles to the lake. castle Lake Campground is located 1/4 mile below the lake on the left (east) side of the road.
Beautiful for hiking, swimming and/or kayaking; trailhead to go up to Heart lake to enjoy amazing views.
Enjoyed *trying* to hike in the snow around Castle Lake in May. Made it .75 miles in before the snow was [still] too much!
Beautiful lake, creeks, and steams in the snow. Saw some researchers from Nevada getting water samples.
A good place to camp in privacy. Enough space for two cars and two tents. There's a table and a fire place with lots of wood lying around. Best part is that this site is walking distance from Castle lake and a bunch of hiking trails. Remember this is not a reservation based site. First come, first serve. There's no fresh water available. But there is a stream passing by. There are a couple of washrooms on site but with no water and hardly any maintenance. Overall a very good camp site with a few amenities.
One of the best camping trips we have had, it was a bit cold, camp site was well maintained, a bit far but worth it
