A 4–5 Day Vacation Loop Through Lassen and Mt. Shasta (With Redding, Lake Shasta, Burney Falls, and Lake Almanor Along the Way)
If you’re looking for a Northern California family trip that feels big—without feeling chaotic—build it around two volcanoes. Lassen delivers the geothermal wonder, alpine lakes, and volcanic terrain you can literally feel under your feet. Mt. Shasta adds scale, mystery, and that iconic mountain silhouette that makes kids ask questions you didn’t expect. Between the two, you get waterfalls, lava caves, swim beaches, boat rides, and stargazing that still feels like the “real night sky,” not a diluted version.
This itinerary is designed for families who want adventure with rhythm. Each day has one main anchor experience, one optional upgrade, and a realistic pace that won’t melt down at 4 pm. It begins in Reno, eases in with an overnight near Lake Almanor, loops through Lassen and Redding, climbs north into Mt. Shasta and Lake Shasta, then returns through Burney Falls and Subway Cave to end with the perfect capstone night at St. Bernard Lodge.
Day 0: Reno to Chester / Lake Almanor
Arrive Slow, Let the Trip Begin
Start this trip the way good family trips should start—without sprinting. Leave Reno with enough daylight to enjoy the drive and arrive near Chester / Lake Almanor before dark. This first night is intentionally calm. It’s a staging point that saves you from turning Day 1 into a highway marathon and gives you a real “we’re in it now” feeling the moment you step out of the car.
Once you’re checked in, take a short lakefront walk to shake off the drive. Let the kids throw a few rocks, breathe in the forest air, and feel the temperature drop as the sun fades. It’s a small moment, but it resets everyone’s nervous system and sets the tone for the days ahead.
Have a simple, satisfying dinner in Chester—this is your “we made it” meal. Then get to bed early. Tomorrow is Lassen.
Overnight: Chester / Lake Almanor
Day 1: Lassen Volcanic National Park to Redding
Big Geology, Big Views, A Soft Landing in Town
Today is your Lassen day—the one where you let the park show you what makes it different from any other place in California. Head out early, but not in a frantic way. Lassen rewards patience. Pick fewer stops and do them well.
Start with Lake Helen, one of the park’s most photogenic alpine lakes. It’s the kind of place that looks unreal in photos and even more unreal in person, especially when the surface sits still and the air has that crisp, high-country edge.
If conditions are right and the boardwalk is open, make time for Bumpass Hell. It’s not a long walk, but it’s one of the most memorable experiences in the entire state: steam vents, bubbling geothermal pools, and the faint sulfur smell that makes kids laugh and adults quietly realize, yes, the earth is still alive here.
From there, begin your descent toward Redding. That shift—from alpine to forest to river town—is part of the fun. Redding is your reset point: showers, solid food, and an easy evening without losing the sense that you’re still in an adventure loop.
If energy allows near sunset, take a short stroll at the Sundial Bridge. It’s a simple stop, but it feels like a gateway—river below, evening light in the trees, and kids naturally wanting to run and explore.
Dinner tonight should be family-proof. Woody’s Brewing Co. is a great first-night-in-town option: big menu, easy atmosphere, and no pressure if the crew still feels dusty from the park.
Overnight: Redding (Sheraton at Sundial Bridge is a strong base)
Day 2: Redding Family Day to Mt. Shasta
Animals, Water, and a Mountain Evening Under the Stars
This is a lighter day by design. You’re still stacking great experiences, but the logistics are easy—which matters when you’re traveling with kids.
Start at Turtle Bay Exploration Park and go straight for what hits hardest: the wildlife and animal experience. Turtle Bay has a way of making nature feel close. It’s not just “looking at exhibits.” It’s the moment a kid realizes an owl is real, or watches a hawk spread its wings and suddenly understands the difference between a picture and a living thing.
After Turtle Bay, walk the Sundial Bridge properly—don’t just glance at it. Let kids run the span, then stop halfway so everyone can look down through the glass deck at the Sacramento River moving beneath your feet. It’s one of those unexpectedly powerful, simple moments that anchors a trip.
Lunch is easy right here—Mosaic for pizza and salads on the patio, or Branch House if you want a calmer sit-down meal with river views.
Then head west for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and let the family choose its own adventure level. On warm days, Brandy Creek Beach is the perfect reset: swim time, towel time, snack time. If you want a gentle hike payoff, Crystal Creek Falls is one of the prettiest and most family-friendly. If the crew still has energy and wants something bigger, the hike to Whiskeytown Falls delivers a true “we earned this” waterfall moment.
Later in the afternoon, point the car north toward Mt. Shasta. You can feel the mood shift as the mountain comes into view. Settle into town and keep the evening simple: dinner at Pipeline Craft Taps & Kitchen, then a treat at Siskiyou Ice Cream Co. (malts are a road trip miracle).
After dinner, drive ten minutes to Lake Siskiyou’s North Shore. Bring a blanket. Let bedtime slide a little. Mt. Shasta turns silhouette-black against twilight, and then the stars begin to show up until the sky feels enormous.
Overnight: Mt. Shasta (Best Western Plus Tree House is practical and family-friendly)
Day 3: Lake Shasta Caverns to Burney Falls to Subway Cave
Water, Lava, and a Sunset Reflection Worth Staying Up For
This is your biggest loop day—a day that stays exciting because every stop feels different.
Start with Lake Shasta Caverns, aiming for a late-morning tour so the morning stays calm. This is one of the best family adventures in Northern California because it stacks experiences in a way kids love: a boat ride across the lake, a shuttle ride up the ridge, and a real cavern walk with formations that look like they belong in a fantasy movie.
After the caverns, you have an optional call: if the kids are still curious and happy, the Shasta Dam area can be a fascinating stop—history, scale, and one of those “how did humans build this?” moments. But don’t force it. You’ve got a strong afternoon ahead.
Head east toward Burney and stop at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. This waterfall is the kind of place that rewires your brain a little. I didn’t see Burney Falls as a kid. My first visit was only ten years ago, and I still remember standing there thinking: how is this real? For a seven-year-old, it’s an eighth wonder of the world. Let the family linger. Let the mist hit their faces. This is the kind of stop that becomes a lifelong memory.
If you packed lunch, eat here. If you didn’t, this is where Alpine Drive-Inn in Burney becomes the perfect road-trip pivot—burgers, fries, shakes, and that classic Americana feeling that fits this region.
From here, continue to Subway Cave Lava Tube. Pull on a jacket, grab your headlamps, and walk into the cool darkness. Kids love this because it turns them into explorers instantly. It’s short, easy, and wildly memorable.
Now time the final stop for magic: Manzanita Lake near sunset. Arrive as the light is dropping and the water begins to still. Lassen Peak reflects across the lake like a painting. Stay late if you can. Watch the stars sparkle in the lake as the heavens open up above.
Overnight: St. Bernard Lodge (finish the day with a cozy, classic night right on Lassen’s edge)
Day 4: The Almanor Loop + Quincy Lunch + Back to Reno
A Big Final Day, But Worth It If You Call It Out
This last day is a lot—so call it out upfront. But it’s also the kind of “final day” that turns a great trip into an unforgettable one, because you’re stacking scenery and small-town charm on the way home instead of just driving.
There’s no reason to rush the morning. You’ve already done caves, waterfalls, lava tubes, and lake swims. Today is about letting the scenery do the talking, and taking the long way home.
If you want the easy start, grab coffee and breakfast at St. Bernard Lodge and enjoy the calm that comes with sleeping right on Lassen’s doorstep. Take a short walk, breathe in that high-country air one last time, and let the morning stay simple.
If your family runs best on early starts—or if your kids wake up with the sun anyway—go for the full memory play: sunrise on Lake Almanor, then pancakes at Carol’s Place on the west shore. There’s something about Almanor in the early light: glassy water, cold clean air, and Lassen sitting back there like a quiet guardian. Follow it with a hearty breakfast and you’ve got the kind of moment that becomes “remember when…” for years.
After breakfast, take your time and drive the loop around Lake Almanor. Pull over at viewpoints. Let kids run for five minutes at a shoreline turnout. Take photos with the lake and Lassen in the background. This loop is the road-trip version of a cool-down walk—same scenery, less effort, better mood.
Instead of charging straight back to Reno, route yourself through Quincy for lunch. It’s a true mountain town stop—friendly, walkable, and just enough of a detour to make the drive feel like part of the trip, not just the end of it. Keep lunch simple and local, then point the car back toward Reno with the kind of tired that feels earned.
One Last Sierra Rec Note
This loop reminds you that Northern California still has space—space to wander, space to slow down, and space for family memories that don’t feel scheduled. Two volcanoes, a handful of lakes, and a few simple stops where the night sky still looks like the real thing. That’s a vacation worth repeating.
