If Redding is the gateway to the Shasta Cascade, Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir are the payoff. These two small towns sit about 10 minutes apart on I-5 in Siskiyou County, with the 14,179-foot volcano presiding over everything. The combination of dramatic mountain scenery, accessible waterfall hikes, clear rivers, and a genuinely outdoorsy, dog-welcoming culture makes this one of the most rewarding multi-day destinations in Northern California for dog owners.

We stopped here as part of our Northern California waterfall road trip and it turned out to be the most memorable stretch of the whole trip. Dunsmuir is a historic railroad town along the Sacramento River — quiet and unhurried. Mt. Shasta, just minutes up the road, is where the lively downtown, hiking, and viewpoints live. Together they make for a full, satisfying two-to-three day stop.

If you’re driving up from the south, our Dog-Friendly Guide to Redding, California covers everything worth stopping for on the first leg of the trip before you head into Siskiyou County.

Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir is best understood as a base with character rather than a destination in itself. Population under 2,000, a single main street, the Sacramento River running alongside it — it’s a bit sleepy with nature being the main attraction. Most people blow past it on I-5 on the way to Mt. Shasta, and honestly, the dining and activity scene up the road in Mt. Shasta City is livelier. But Dunsmuir has its own quiet charm, and it’s worth at least a half day — especially because one of the best waterfall stops on the entire trip is right in its backyard.

Hedge Creek Falls

The first thing to do when you arrive in Dunsmuir is visit Hedge Creek Falls — a short, easy walk that delivers one of the most rewarding waterfall experiences in the entire region. The trail is well under a mile round trip through shaded forest, leading to a 30-foot cascade that you can actually walk behind through a small cave carved into the basalt wall. Views of Mt. Shasta peek through the trees above the falls, and a platform overlooks the Sacramento River below. Dogs are welcome on leash throughout.

This is one of those waterfalls that surprises you with how good it is given how little effort it requires. Don’t skip it — and if the waterfall loop is on your agenda, this is where that day starts.

Address: Hedge Creek Falls Trailhead, off Dunsmuir Ave north of downtown Distance: ~0.4 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Mossbrae Falls

Mossbrae Falls is one of the most visually extraordinary waterfalls in Northern California — a 175-foot-wide curtain of water fed by multiple springs that seep directly through a moss-covered mountainside and cascade into the Sacramento River. It looks like something out of a fairy tale, and it’s right here in Dunsmuir.

The catch: Accessing Mossbrae currently requires walking along active Union Pacific railroad tracks, which is technically trespassing. There is no official sanctioned trail. Dunsmuir has been working toward an official access route for years, but as of now it remains unofficial. The city knows many people are hiking to this waterfall and until there’s a public route the main concern is safety. They’ll hopefully move forward with building a bridge at Hedge Creek Falls to easily get to Mossbrae Falls, but until then plan accordingly. Start your hike early, pack booties or plan to carry your dog as the rocks along the train tracks are large and pointy, and prioritize safesty first. Keep an eye on updates from the Town of Dunsmuir if you’re planning a future trip.

Address: Park on Dunsmuir Ave north of downtown, near 4727 Dunsmuir Ave Distance: ~2.5 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy — flat the entire way Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Downtown Dunsmuir

It’s worth a walk through downtown — a handful of restaurants, a few local shops, and the kind of quiet main street that feels genuinely unhurried. Don’t come expecting a bustling scene; Dunsmuir runs at its own slow pace, and that’s part of the appeal. We visited during the week and many of the businesses seemed closed, but we did grab a beer at Dunsmuir Brewery Works. For a livelier meal and more dining options, Mt. Shasta City is ten minutes north and considerably more active — we’d generally recommend heading up there for all your meals.

The Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens adjacent to Cave Springs Resort is worth a short stroll — 10 acres of riverside wooded terrain with trails and picnic areas, dogs welcome on leash, and a peaceful way to stretch everyone’s legs before or after exploring.

The Waterfall Loop

The single biggest reason to base yourself here is the waterfall loop — a collection of eight dog-friendly cascades accessible within a roughly 60-mile circuit through Siskiyou and Shasta counties. We drove the full loop in one day starting and ending in Dunsmuir, hitting Hedge Creek Falls, Faery Falls, three McCloud Falls, Burney Falls, Potem Falls, and Sweetbriar Falls. It’s an ambitious but completely doable day, and one of the best all-in-one waterfall experiences in the state.

The full route, driving order, trail details, dog policies, and Burney Falls reservation information are all covered in our dedicated guide: The Dog-Friendly Northern California Waterfall Loop: 8 Waterfalls in One Day. If waterfalls are on your agenda — and they should be — read that post before you plan your days here.

Mt. Shasta Trails and Viewpoints

If Dunsmuir is the quiet base, Mt. Shasta City is where you’ll spend most of your active time. The downtown is walkable, genuinely charming, lined with good coffee shops and restaurants, and surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in California. It’s the kind of place where you walk outside your cabin in the morning and the volcano is just sitting there, filling the entire sky.

Lake Siskiyou and Cable Beach

For the single best accessible view of Mt. Shasta in the area, go to Lake Siskiyou. Drive to the Cable Beach parking lot, walk a short distance to the shoreline, and you’ll have an unobstructed, straight-on view of the mountain reflected in the water in front of you. On a calm morning it’s a mirror reflection — one of the most photographed scenes in Siskiyou County, and for good reason.

This is the view. If you only have time for one stop specifically to see and photograph Mt. Shasta from the ground, make it Cable Beach.

Dogs are welcome on leash along the Lake Siskiyou trail and shoreline. The full loop around the lake is a gentle, mostly flat walk with mountain views throughout.

Address: Search “Cable Beach Parking Trailhead” in Google Maps — Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta, CA Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Mount Shasta Viewing

A simple roadside pulloff just outside Weed near the airport that delivers a wide, unobstructed view of Mt. Shasta from the valley floor — the kind of spontaneous stop that makes you pull over whether you planned to or not. No facilities, no fee, just the mountain sitting there in full view. Dogs are welcome on leash.

Location: Search “Mount Shasta Viewing” in Google Maps near Weed Airport Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Shasta Valley Vista Point (Highway 97)

If you’re driving north through Weed or making a quick detour, the Shasta Valley Vista Point on Highway 97 gives you one of the most dramatic and unusual angles of Mt. Shasta you’ll find anywhere — looking directly south at the mountain from the open Shasta Valley floor, with Whaleback Mountain on the left and Shastina cone visible below the summit on the right. There’s a proper parking lot, it’s dog-friendly on leash, and unlike most views from I-5 where the peak is partially obscured by foothills, this one is completely unobstructed.

It’s particularly striking in the late afternoon when the light hits the glaciers directly. Worth a ten-minute stop even if you’re just passing through.

Location: Hwy 97, south of Grass Lake, just north of Weed — search “Mt Shasta Viewpoint” in Google Maps Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Heart Lake Trail

Starting from Castle Lake, the Heart Lake Trail is a short but steep 3-mile round trip climb to one of the most photogenic alpine spots in the region — a small glacial lake framed directly against the face of Mt. Shasta. The views from the top looking back over Castle Lake with the volcano behind you are exceptional. We unfortunately didn’t get to do this hike due to snow on the trail. It’s best enjoyed in the summer months when all the snow has melted and the trail is more visible. 

Trail: Heart Lake Trail from Castle Lake on AllTrails Distance: ~3 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Leash rules: Dogs on leash required

Castle Crags 

Castle Crags State Park looks spectacular from the road — ancient granite spires rising dramatically above the Sacramento River canyon — but for dog owners it’s largely a viewpoint you’re better off skipping in favor of the stops above. Dogs are not permitted on any of the hiking trails within the state park, including the Castle Dome Trail. They’re welcome on leash on paved roads and in the campground, and there is a parking area viewpoint, but you’ll see the crags just as well from I-5 without paying the $10 day use fee. Save the time and energy for Lake Siskiyou or the waterfall loop.

Where to Eat

Mt. Shasta City has the strongest restaurant scene in the area and is where we’d direct most meals, especially dinner. I’d also advise staying somewhere with a kitchen so you can pack groceries and make meals for long days out exploring. 

Yaks on the 5 — The consensus pick for big, juicy burgers in town. Outdoor seating, dogs always welcome.

Drizzle — Outdoor patio only, which means dogs are always welcome. Casual menu of burgers, burritos, smoothies, and bowls. We loved this spot and went twice – amazing breakfast burritos and chai tea lattes. 

Theory Coffee Roasters — The go-to coffee shop in Mt. Shasta with and outdoor seating. A solid morning stop before hitting the trails. I personally didn’t like the chai tea here and it was a bit pricey. 

Pipeline Craft Tap & Kitchen — One of the more upscale spots in town, with craft beers and a hearty pub menu. Dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Mt. Shasta Brewing Co. — A must for beer lovers and a satisfying reward after a long day on the waterfall loop.

Seven Suns Coffee and Cafe — A quick, reliable breakfast and coffee stop before an early trail day.

Berryvale Grocery — For pre-made to-go items or grocery staples if you’re cooking at your accommodation. A local gem.

Where to Stay

Cave Springs Resort, Dunsmuir — A mid-century modern resort right on the Sacramento River, 10 minutes from Mt. Shasta City. Dogs are allowed in select hotel rooms, modern cabins, all rustic cabins, and Airstreams. The adjacent Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens is a bonus for morning dog walks. 

Vacation Rentals — A vacation rental is often the most practical choice for a multi-night stay in this area, particularly after long hiking days when having a yard and kitchen makes a real difference.

Getting There

Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir are approximately 4.5 hours north of San Francisco via I-5, and about 1.5 hours north of Redding. If you’re road tripping north through the Shasta Cascade, our Dog-Friendly Guide to Redding covers the first leg of the trip in full. Continuing north from Mt. Shasta, Crater Lake is about 2.5 hours up OR-62 — a natural next stop if you’re extending the trip into Oregon.

Have a Mt. Shasta or Dunsmuir dog-friendly spot we should add? Drop it in the comments below.