There is a visitor center near the dam. A 30 minute film that shows the history of water
usage in California is shown at the visitor center. One hour tours of the dam are given
year round, although the hours vary and it would be wise to call ahead for a schedule of
tours. The visitor center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 until 4, and then on
Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am until 5pm. Admission is FREE. For more information call
PHONE NUMBER (530) 275-4463.
There are also several boat rental facilities along the lake shore. This is a fairly large
lake and water skiing is excellent. As with most lakes water skiing in the early morning
is the best. There are several coves in Lake Shasta that provide glass or mirror like
conditions in the early morning.
Shasta is also a great place for house boat cruising. There is nothing like renting a
houseboat for several days or weeks in the heart of the summer months. On several
occasions I have had to help other people pry their houseboat off of a sandbar or a
mud bank. This usually seemed to happen after the "captain" of his
"ship" had a little too much to drink. Another activity I enjoy watching is
people dive off of the second floor of their houseboat. Many families rent houseboats year
after year. As Merle Haggard sings ...."like the winter we spent on Lake
Shasta", this lake holds many memories for people both in the wintertime and in the
summertime.
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An unpleasant experience that I
have had on several occasions, have been my bouts with the
"Shasta Mud". After a long day or after several hours boating on
the lake, I like to pull my boat into one of the many coves and
drop anchor. I then jump overboard and swim to shore for a
little rest and relaxation. However, in just about all the coves
that I have entered I have found extremely deep mud at the
shoreline of the coves. This can be quite bothersome, especially
when I sink up to my mid chest in the mud. |
Sometimes I have had to call on the help
of fellow boaters to rescue me and dig me out of the organic muck.
The fishing on this lake is incredible. There are trout, bass, and
catfish among other species. Trolling for trout is an extremely
relaxing way to experience Lake Shasta. |
