Nestled in the most beautiful tree-filled canyon ridge with the magnificent Sacramento River flowing right through it, the historic town of Dunsmuir inspires many. Fly fishermen, photographers, hikers, climbers, skiers, foodies, railroad hobbyists, architecture nerds and history buffs come from far and wide. A one-time bustling train town, Dunsmuir has the only Amtrak train station in Siskiyou County.
Mount Shasta
Dunsmuir is one of several small towns circling the base of majestic Mt. Shasta, where skiing, snowboarding, mountain climbing, tubing, and abound. Mount Shasta and the Ski Park are only minutes away from Dunsmuir, as well as many water falls, and hiking trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail. We have rivers and lakes for boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports.
Fly fishing
Fly Fisherman on the Sacramento River
Fly fishing for rainbow trout on the Sacramento and McCloud Rivers and the surrounding lakes are amongst the finest fishing experiences available in California. We have large groups of Flyfishers return to our Lodge annually, as we are close to some of the best “spots” for Flyfishing. Ted Fay Fly Shop is about a half a mile from us and is a great resource for anything about fishing.
Sites to Visit
Dunsmuir City Park and Botanical Gardens: Get some great food in town to-go and bring it here to eat by the river on one of the many picnic tables! The botanical gardens are a colorful and shaded respite from the summer heat. 3 minutes drive (in town).
Mossbrae Falls
Hedge Creek Falls: EASY, 5 min. walk down past falls (trail goes underneath the falls!) to the river overlook north, giving you the perfect post-card/instagram shot of Mt Shasta. 4 minutes drive (in town).
Mossbrae Falls: Right in town, 3/4 mile walk north on tracks. Absolutely worth the walk! Allow 35 minutes or so for hike on tracks. Watch/listen for trains, but there is ample space for most of the walk to get out of the way of trains. 3 minutes drive, plus hiking. Allow 1.5 hours for a relaxed hike and visit to the falls. It is over 100 feet wide and spans a bend in the river with a train trestle just north. Use your black and white filter in pics to make it look ‘rustic’!
Lake Siskiyou & Castle Lake (N. Shore Road, resort, wa barr road behind lake with river and swiming holes). This area is large with many campgrounds, meadows, creeks, Ney Springs Falls (now called fairy falls). Castle lake and the river behind Lake Siskiyou are ice cold all summer. Test your mettle in these alpine-blue waters!
Bunny Flats Trailhead: Open space to wander, plus Horse camp trail and green butte ridge trail. Cross country skiing, hiking and snowboarding.
Panther Meadows Trailhead: Beautiful meadow with wildflowers at over 6,00 feet! wander the trail and find the spring that feeds this areas flora.
The runs at Mount Shasta Ski Park
Mt Shasta Ski Park: open all year for weddings and mountain biking too!
McCloud Falls: Three falls in one; you can drive to each falls overlook, so you don’t have to hike… 35 minutes drive from Dunsmuir Lodge.
Lower McCloud Falls
This is just a small slice of what’s to do around here… Ask in the lobby for a visitors’ guide to give you the full listing of the possibilities around here. Stay a week and we will fill your schedule each day with a new adventure. Bring the kids, and teach them something about the natural world around them in one of the most beautiful and diverse natural settings in California!
Shopping & Entertainment
Dunsmuir Hardware Store – In business for over forty five years, the Dunsmuir Hardware store is literally the hub of the town. Rich in history, you will enjoy checking it out.
The Sacred Well – The Sacred Well is a woman-owned metaphysical supply shop in Downtown Dunsmuir; a warm, inviting refuge of color, warmth, beauty, and magic. They feature local arts, sustainable and fair-trade gifts, healing crystals, organic and wildcrafted herbs and teas, no-waste beauty products, and more. Their open-air Kuan Yin Sanctuary behind the store is available to the public 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Siskiyou Arts Museum – Open Thursday through Sunday, Siskiyou Arts Museum has a gift store and several rooms dedicated to their gallery. With an art opening happening Every Second Saturday, there is always something to check out that fresh and cool.
Pops Performing Arts & Cultural Center • 5819 Sacramento Ave, Dunsmuir Dunsmuir’s very own live music venue. If you ‘re going to a concert, you can receive $10 off of your room. With an indoor and outdoor space (and a creek going right through it!), Pops is also available for rental for weddings and other events.
Coba Lily Bar & Bottle – A new and very charming place to sit and meet locals and travelers alike.
Dandelion Dust – In the center of beautiful downtown Dunsmuir California, the offerings in our upcycled, recycled and freecycled boutique range from unique, vintage, rare, and one of a kind! You will find glassware, books, records, furniture, clothing and everything in between! Be careful you might get lost and spend hours there.
Ted Fay Fly Shop – Ted Fay Fly Shop opened in 1950 and is a full-service destination shop with everything you need to fish the Upper Sacramento and McCloud Rivers. They are located in downtown Dunsmuir, very close to the Upper Sac.
Bite this Chew on That – Pet Supply Store with Doggy Bathing Station.
Useful links:
Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce
