Lake Shasta Caverns & Lake Day
Take a boat and a bus up to a cave full of crystals, then spend lazy days on the lake.
3.5 hrs drive · 2–4 days · Best for toddlers to teens · May–Sep
Day 1: Drive and caverns
- 8:00 Leave SF on I-5
- 11:00 Lunch in Redding
- 12:30 Lake Shasta Caverns: get there 30 min before your tour
- 1:00 2-hour tour: boat across the lake, bus up the hill, guided cave walk
- 4:00 Check in at a marina or houseboat
Day 2: Lake day
- 9:00 Swim and float from the houseboat or a rented boat
- 12:00 Lunch on the water
- 3:00 Quiet cove time, then dinner on deck
Day 3: Home
- 10:00 Return the boat and check out
- 12:00 Lunch in Redding
- 3:30 Arrive home
From parents who have been
- The caverns tour has 600+ stairs. If a child or grandparent gives out, you can leave at the halfway point and wait in the visitor center, where a video tour plays. Inspired Imperfection
- Strollers and backpacks are not allowed inside, though small purses are. Toddlers will have to walk or be carried on stairs, so this tour is a poor fit for kids under about 4. Live That Adventure
- Getting there takes three legs: a short catamaran ride, then a windy, steep bus ride up the cliff, then the cave. Plan ahead for kids who get motion sick. The cave feels warm and humid, and the morning boat ride is the windy, cool part. Inspired Imperfection
- If you are early for your tour, buy a bag of gem rough in the gift shop and let kids pan it at the sluice by the playground. Reserve online on weekends. Walk-up worked fine on a weekday. Live That Adventure
- A longtime houseboating parent suggests waiting until kids are about 6 and comfortable in the water. To cut the $2,000 to $4,000 cost for 3 nights, share a boat with another family. Bring your own bedding, extra towels and water shoes, because the red clay shore gets everywhere. 510 Families
- Rental coolers are too small for a family's food and drinks, so plan on extra ice. A small second boat makes marina snack and ice runs much easier than moving the houseboat. Active NorCal
Good to know
- The caverns tour takes about 2 hours, including a 10 to 15 minute boat ride and a bus up a steep road. Expect over 600 stairs. You can leave at a halfway point.
- No strollers or backpacks in the caverns. Inside it stays 58°F and humid. Tickets are first come, first served unless your group has 20 or more.
- Listed caverns prices (2024): $46 ages 16 and up, $27 ages 7 to 15, $17 ages 3 to 6, free under 3.
- Houseboats rent for 3, 4 or 7 nights. Renters must be 21 or older, and no boating license is needed. Fall 2026 rates start around $2,400 to $4,000 for 3 nights, and summer and holidays cost more.
Sources: Lake Shasta Caverns admission · Lake Shasta Caverns FAQ · KOBI-5: Lake Shasta Caverns · Houseboating.org Shasta prices · Houseboats.com Shasta rentals