Enjoy McCloud’s year-round charm, and make Toad Hollow your home-away-from-home. The Shasta Cascade Region offers something for everyone. Spend the day hiking, mountain biking, or exploring the many waterfalls, mountain lakes, World-class wild trout fishing along the McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rivers, explore stunning caves or choose from two nearby golf courses. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is only 15 minutes away, where you can enjoy downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Photo Credit: Toad Hollow Website

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With a variety of accommodations including casual and luxury lodgings, RV Parks, campgrounds, fine dining, square dancing, shopping and more, historic McCloud is perfect for romantic getaways or family fun vacations. From boating, kayaking, cycling, golf, fly-fishing, hiking, rock climbing, spelunking and whitewater rafting in the summer to snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, downhill ski and snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the winter, there are miles of trails, lakes, wild and scenic rivers and wilderness to explore around McCloud.

In McCloud, you will experience shopping from a bygone era, where shopkeepers are friendly and attentive to your needs and where shops are filled with unique gifts, apparel, outdoor gear, fine wines, antiques, and homemade treats.

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Hit the Slopes

Mt. Shasta is often referred to as Siskiyou’s crown jewel, and for good reason. This majestic giant surveys nearly all of Siskiyou County. In the winter months, it becomes one of the best spots to get some great skiing or snowboarding runs in, regardless of skill level. Head to Mt. Shasta Ski Park to traverse the park’s over 400 acres of skiable terrain. You can take lessons from the experts before zipping down the mountain, and all ages are welcome, so it’s a great stop for anyone traveling with the family. Or, head to the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, where you’ll find access to over a dozen ski trails and a cozy base area for unwinding afterward.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous — and you’re confident on a pair of skis — you can also venture further into Siskiyou’s beautiful natural landscape and try your hand at backcountry skiing. While we don’t recommend this for beginners, it can be a great way to explore Mt. Shasta, provided you follow all safety precautions. Bunny Flat Trail provides backcountry adventurers a chance to forge out into the surrounding wilderness of the mountain, where you’re sure to find breathtaking views and a truly unforgettable experience. For a gentler ski experience that still allows you to escape into nature, you can also head to Sand Flat Trail for prime cross-country skiing trails.

Totally Tubular! Snow Tubing & Sledding Opportunities

If you’re a little intimidated by the prospect of tackling the mountain slopes, no problem! There are plenty of places to get the same thrilling rush of flying down a snowy hill without having to strap into a board. In addition to its numerous skiing and snowboarding slopes, Mt. Shasta Ski Park boasts a large snow tubing hill, perfect for kids, adults and everyone in between. Or, for a BYOS (bring your own sled, of course!) experience, head to Snowman’s Hill, a designated sledding hill that offers sledders 300 feet of fast-paced downhill thrills.

Snowmobiling

Another great way to experience Siskiyou’s wild backcountry is atop a snowmobile. Snowmobilers can choose from one of three interconnected snowmobiling parks, each with warming huts, restrooms, designated parking areas and both groomed and ungroomed snowmobiling trails. At Deer Mountain Snowmobiling Park you’ll find everything you need for your snowmobiling adventure, including rentals, guided lessons and more, courtesy of Fun Factory Snowmobiling. Pilgrim Creek Snowmobiling Park and Doorknob Warming Hut Snow Park both offer hundreds of miles of adventurous trails to embark on as well.

‘Tis the Season

You can’t help but fall a little in love with the holidays if you’re spending them in Siskiyou. Get into the holiday spirit with some festive activities, like ice skating at Shastice Park. Take in the winter scenery at this fully outdoor ice rink, which welcomes skaters of all ages and experience levels.

Instead of buying a Christmas tree, start a new holiday tradition this year and head out into the snow-covered forests of Siskiyou to find your tree. Christmas tree cutting permits are available all December, and an afternoon spent searching for your perfect tree will be sure to make this holiday a standout. For our guide on how to find and cut your Christmas tree, check out this blog.

Even if you aren’t planning to take a Christmas tree home, it’s worth putting on your warmest winter boots and hiking some of Siskiyou’s best trails. In the winter, Lake Siskiyou might be too cold to swim in — but the views you’ll find along the trail loop make it a must-stop. Hedge Creek Falls or the McCloud Falls, both beginner-friendly waterfall hikes, are also excellent (and Instagrammable!) trails to wander in the colder months.

Plan Your Getaway

Whether you’re needing a cozy escape in the winter months or you’re planning your travel adventures for the new year, California’s real North is waiting for you. Plan your escape today and see what epic adventures could be in store.

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The residence is across from the Sacramento River and rail yard. Trains chug along across the river and sometimes stop to add extra train cars. An Amtrak station is only a block away for train traveling friends and guests.

Within a 10 mile drive north is beautiful Lake Siskiyou which has swimming, fishing, hiking, kayaking, paddle boats for rent, camping, and an 18 hole golf course. The nearby City of Mt. Shasta has restaurants and mountain and rock climbing opportunities on 14,000 foot tall Mt. Shasta. The Mt. Shasta Ski Park and Nordic Center is only 20 minutes away from Hiker’s Haven and provides downhill skiing/snowboarding and also groomed trails for x-country skiing.
Only 5 miles south down I-5 is Castle Crags State Park with more fishing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

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(image: Facebook/ Fun Factory Snowmobile Rentals)

Deer Mountain Snow Park

Snowmobiles are technically sleds, right?  This area can be described as a mecca for all winter sports. Also called Chuck Best Snowmobile Park, this snow lover’s heaven welcomes snowmobilers, sledders, skiers and snowshoers to over 250 miles of trails, valleys, vistas and more in the area. Winter camping is available, as well as restrooms and a warming hut on site. Snowmobile rentals are available seasonally through Fun Factory. They host guided backcountry tours as well. Make sure to check the Open/Closed status of the snow park here and pre-arrange any tours or snow machine rentals with Fun Factory before heading out. There is lots of winter fun to be had at Deer Mountain!

(image: Mt Shasta Ski Park)

Mt Shasta Ski Park

If you don’t partake in skiing or snowboarding, a trip to “The Ski Park” can still offer a rush of alpine fun. Enjoy sailing down the 300-foot-long side by side tubing lanes, accessed by a magic carpet. Rental tubes are provided with your pass and are sold in tw0-hour increments. Pre-purchasing tickets is recommended so check the Ski Park’s website before heading out. Be sure to spend some time at the lodge and outdoor fire pits too!

Mt Shasta Nordic Center

Also located on the Ski Park Highway, the Mt Shasta Nordic Center is a wonderland of winter recreation. Although not exactly downhill sledding, folks come here to enjoy Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing. This is a great place to find some solitude and delight in the slushing of the snow beneath your feet. Day passes, lessons, and rental equipment are available as well as pull-sleds for the little ones. This is an epic way to embrace your surroundings on a crisp winter day!

Snowman’s Hill

By far the most popular and well-known sledding spot in South Siskiyou. This place can be found at the summit of Highway 89 between Mount Shasta and McCloud, across from the Ski Park Highway intersection. There is ample parking and bathrooms are on site. This is a big hill, so be prepared to fly!

(Stock Image)

Bunny Flat

Who can say they have gone sledding on a volcano with the 5th highest peak in California? You can! Just driving up to Bunny Flat, via Everett Memorial Highway is epic. This trailhead on the slopes of Mt Shasta, is a recreation area and access point to the upper mountain. Open throughout the winter, this location has bathrooms, parking and snowy slopes sure to offer some winter fun. This is also the gateway for many backcountry skiers and mountaineers heading further up the mountain. Be sure to check current road conditions before selecting this location!

(Stock Image)

Shastice Park

The city park in Mt Shasta, has gentle sloping hills on the opposite end of the parking lot from the Siskiyou Ice Rink. This is a great place for less adventurous sledding or families with kiddos. This is also right nearby downtown Mount Shasta, so after a fun-filled winter day outdoors, a hot mug of cocoa is not too far away!

(image: McCloud Outdoors & Gear Exhange)

Bundle up!

You can gear up for your next snow adventure at a number of local shops, our favorites are McCloud Outdoors & Gear Exchange, The Fifth Season, and Sportsmen’s Den. These locations rent and sell a variety of winter outdoor apparel, gear, and guide services. Sleds can be purchased at local hardware stores such as Ramshaw Ace or Solano’s in Mount Shasta. Always be sure dress warm and pack your vehicle appropriately for winter weather when venturing out, AWD or chains are a must in these parts. Check conditions and accessibility beforehand as weather and snow coverage is variable at many of these locations. Have a blast, we know you will!

For more content on Winter fun, check out these articles:

Ultimate Snow Adventures in Siskiyou 

7 Great Winter Family Adventures

Adventures at Snowman’s Hill

Snow Adventures in Siskiyou 

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Photo Credit: Mt. Shasta Ski Park Facebook

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