The views are amazing and anxiety imposing! You can walk out onto the dam and looking either way, the views are spectacular. To your one side, amazing anxiety driving views where even if you're not afraid of heights, you'll start breathing heavy. Then, on the other side, spectacular views of lake Shasta with imposing mountains in the backdrop. Connected to a cool visitor station, this is worth the drive to visit if you're around the area. read more

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After a tour at Shasta Caverns, I was able to nerd out even more with a visit to Shasta Dam. The area is free to visit if you want to walk across the dam or check out the visitor center, which has a small theater with a really fascinating short documentary playing. There's also a gift shop and some displays. But what you really need to check out is their free tour of the dam. On the tour, you can go inside the dam itself and have a guided tour of the facilities and even the grounds at the bottom of the dam. I found it really interesting and learned a lot about the dam's construction and role it plays in water management from the heavy rains Nor Cal gets in the winter. Their website posts hours the visitor center is open and what times tours run. I caught the last tour of the day on a random Monday and it was just my boyfriend and I. The tour is free and even with just the two of us, our guide made it engaging and educational. The epic views of the river, lake and Mt Shasta are worth the drive over. Definitely a cool attraction and not too far from Redding if you're in the area. read more

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Was a great open air space, got my steps in that day. Museum was closed though. Got some good pitcures read more

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Really nice views and easy place to find parking. It is a nice place to visit if you're in the area

One of the coolest dams I've seen! We stopped by late Saturday afternoon. The visitor center was closed so it was pretty empty which was a plus for us! There was plenty of free parking. The road on the dam was blocked off so we were able to walk freely in the middle. Only certain cars were allowed through. It was very peaceful and quiet. Perfect for a quick stroll. I can't get over the amazing and beautiful views of the Sac River and Mount Shasta. My only complaint was that there were LOTS of tiny bugs flying around. read more

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How many attractions are free now a days? Before walking along the dam please make sure you go into the visitor center to get a history of just how amazing this dam is. The 2nd largest in the world! The labor and challenges it took to build. The dam is closed to normal traffic, only authorized personnel. A short walk outside the visitor center to get there. It was a hot day for us, close to 100 so we walked to the middle of the dam rather across the whole thing. This is a rare gem to be able to say you saw and walked on. read more

Shasta Dam - Walking there gettin the Visitor Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Shasta Lake, California

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Hot dam Actually, it wasn't too hot during our visit compared to the day before where it was 108° in Redding. We were able to walk across to the other side of the dam without the sun beating on us. Redding actually experienced a little bit of a thunderstorm after all the humidity. The Shasta Dam Visitor's Center was temporarily closed due to Covid-19 so no tours available but the three Shastas lookout point (dam, lake, & mountain) and other outdoor areas were open. Driving across Shasta Dam is allowed for recreation (fishing, boating etc). There is security inspection so I suspect you'll need to show a valid driver's license and current vehicle registration and we saw security check contents inside vehicles and trailers. Shasta Dam was impressive to see. The Dam is an engineering marvel, 602 foot-high of concrete. I've never seen so much concrete! This was our first time seeing and second visit to a large dam (first one was the Hoover Dam). Great views from both sides! See the volcanic peak of Mount Shasta in the distance over Lake Shasta and the Shasta Dam... and with over 370 miles of shoreline nestled in the evergreen hills, Shasta Lake is a beautiful recreational area. Fun Fact: There is enough water in Shasta Lake to cover the entire state of Connecticut to a depth of 1.5 feet. Worth a visit. Shasta Dam is about 14 miles northwest of downtown Redding. Review #1915 read more

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Extremely accessible and picturesque dam. Parking lot location provides a short walk to the tour-able dam top. The walk across the dam is 1/2 mile (one mile round trip). Beautiful views on both the Shasta Lake side and the electricity generating Moccasin Creek side. The actual visitor center was closed for COVID-19 social distancing precautions. Hope to come back when the center is open to rent the audio tour explaining the history and facts about the dam. read more

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This dam is really a show piece. We stopped here and walked out on the dam. It is really a beautiful working dam and very picturesque. They offer one hour tours and have a really nice visitors center. Also lots of grass and shade to do a picnic lunch. The dam is located just six miles off the I-5 freeway. Very easy drive. I wish I had more time when I stopped i love tours of wonder like this. The lake that was created by this dam is very impressive also. Well worth investigating if you have the time. read more

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We made a quick pit stop here on our way from Sacramento to Oregon. It is a short 6 mile drive after exiting I-5 on Shasta Dam Blvd. It was worth the stop. It was a quiet, serene place to stretch our legs. There is a large grassy area with a few picnic tables and large shady trees. The shade trees were a welcome relief to the hot sunny day. The lake was full and offered a beautiful sight to take in. There is a visitors center, which we did not go into. Refueled after taking a short walk to the dam, we were ready to get on the road again and finish the last leg of our trip out. read more

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I love a dam, and the Shasta Dam is one of the best. Plenty of convenient parking and a quick walk across. I only wish there was more water in the lake. This dam is accessible from all directions. Today I parked next to the CLOSED dam museum. Several months ago I rode a bike from Redding to the base of the dam. read more

I stopped at the Dam to walk my dog on our drive from the Bay Area UK to bend. The people in the visitors center were very friendly and helpful. The Lake was beautiful with snow capped peaks behind. The woman suggested we hike the Upper Sacramento Ditch trail. It's a 9 mile hike but you don't have to go all the way. The upper part is lovely shaded single track with lots of switch bags and pretty Madrone trees and a few bridges. You'll eventually come to a spot where you can see the dam and the mountain. It was a great hike, and I'd highly recommend it. read more

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Visitor center was closed for the holiday weekend but we probably wouldn't have done the guided tour anyways, just wanted to see what was inside and use the restrooms instead of the outhouses (there was on the floor of one of them, I blame nasty people for this). We walked across the dam and enjoyed the beautiful views. Parking area is a short walk from the dam. Not crowded at all, very calm and quiet spot. Lots of grass and some picnic tables. Pretty dam amazing to think about how something this big, like this dam, can be built. Ok I made a dam joke, now I'm done. read more

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I've never been a fan of guided tours. I'm impatient and would much prefer to wander and take it all in on my own. That said, this one wasn't half bad. It was my first time inside a dam and I enjoyed seeing how everything was situated and hearing how it was built. Our guide, Antoinette, was knowledgeable and entertaining, and at the tour's conclusion, offered us a ride back to the parking lot in her golf cart. Photography is permitted, and there are some interesting sights. The dam from below is particularly beautiful with its striped spillway, and the water is so gloriously blue green. We were brought through the turbine room, given some history, and shown the old train tunnel that was used during construction. Overall, I'd say it's a worthwhile experience, and I'm glad I got to go. There are, however, some things you should know: 1. The walk from the parking lot to where the tour starts at the dam's midway point is not as easy as it looks from afar. The distance is short, but during the summer months, the sun and heat can get intense. Bring whatever you might need to combat it: sunglasses, hat, sunblock, umbrella, etc. 2. The stuff you're allowed to bring with you is extremely limited and not always clear. Err on the side of caution and leave anything remotely questionable behind in the car, all bags, purses and video cameras included. There was this nice young couple waiting to go on the tour, and they were sent back for having brought a go-pro--even after the guy at the visitor's center had told them they could! This is the reason for the 4 stars rather than 5; their treatment of these hapless tourists seemed unreasonable. It was the last tour of the day and they easily could have let them stash their gadget somewhere upstairs. Cell phones are acceptable, but only if they're on (they'll check the screen to make sure it's what it seems to be). 3. If you have a fear of elevators, you might want to sit this one out. read more

Shasta Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Shasta Lake, California

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Very impressive structure and tour. I would highly recommend you and your family (Kids included) to take the 1 hour tour and it's FREE. Security is VERY TIGHT though, so no pocket knifes, mase, selfie sticks, cameras, etc. will be primitted. But cellphones are accessible to take photos. Check in at the visitor's center to receive your free tickets. Arrive EXTRA EARLY for the tour, because you must walk approximately one mile on the dam to get to the tour location. Very worthwhile tour and educational too!!! Besides, if you're looking for a cool place to go to, go on the tour. read more

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They do a free tour! and they give you all the secret, inside info of how the dam was made. Unfortunately, my mom didn't want to go on it b/c it was 40 mins later and she didn't want to wait. Well that's what she said, but the real reason was she has a 2 min attention span and doesn't like it when people ask a lot of questions and she has to be nice and listen. LOL. Maybe we do have some things in common... This is a must-see if you are in the area. Just the view of Shasta Dam, the lake and mountain is worth it. I suggest you avoid summer weather and daytime hours since you will be in direct sunlight with no shade. Props to the friendly, caring and happy staff. Everyone was all smiles and happy to help! Some notes: - Free guided tour of the Shasta Dam (come early and sign up!) - Free parking at Shasta Dam Visitor Center (put that in Waze or you might end up elsewhere) - Restrooms are available inside the Visitor Center (also a donation bin) - Check online for what is allowed inside the guided tour (no purses, bags!) - There is an informative film in theater (with cool A/C) read more

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Shasta Dam is one of the more significant structures in California. The tour gives an insider's view of this dam. I just noticed the pun; you're inside the dam, and you find out things that only insiders know. Hardy har har, I think I need some sleep. The website recommends that you get your tickets at least half an hour early. Believe them, especially on the weekend. I went on an earlier tour, and the staff were telling people that they came at a good time, it would get far busier later. Also, read up on what to NOT bring, and leave those things in the car. One person ignored this advice, insisted on bringing a prohibited item, and was getting heavy pushback from the security guard that was much-deserved ("I am ready to throw you off the tour."). Don't be that guy. Please. I won't share all that they told us; let's keep some secrets for you to find out. But you do go deep into the second largest dam in America, seeing some things that you never knew were there, and having lots of photo ops. The tour guides have a way of making it engaging, fascinating, informative, and fun. I had Jody, and she loved poking fun at the engineers. If you find yourself in this part of the State of Jefferson, then try to fit a tour of Shasta Dam into your schedule. read more

Simple fun, gorgeous views, and filled with local history. Great free way to spend some of your day.

Beautiful, serene, such a quiet place of reflection and respite. The deer are tame and interested in corn, nuts, fruit. Keep your dogs away from them thought. They might react threatened. Otherwise, it's the best place for locals to come to meditate away from town. read more

Get to the inside and there are a couple of access points for the Sacramento River. The best part of my stay was Coram Ranch where we had 50 people for a reunion. Great Place to build family fun and memories. read more

Panoramic View - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#lbqrwbjyLRxByzkOHAlEOQ Shasta Dam - A beautiful view of the Shasta Dam, offering free one-hour guided tours to see and learn about the inside operations and history of the dam. A scenic viewpoint nearby offers an unbeatable view of the "Three Shastas" - Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake and Mount Shasta. What: - View of Shasta Dam - Free guided tour of the Shasta Dam - Scenic viewpoint nearby to see "Three Shastas" - Fisherman's Point (Scenic viewpoint of Lake Shasta) More Info: - Free car parking at Shasta Dam Visitor Center - Free daily one-hour tours to see the Shasta Dam (tickets available on first-come, first-serve basis) - Check out the tour times here (http://www.shastalake.com/shastadam/) - Restrooms are available inside the Visitor Center - Only camera, keys and water bottles are allowed inside the guided tour - There is a security check before taking the tour From Redding, it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Shasta Dam, the ninth tallest dam in USA. While driving on Lake Blvd, when we were just 0.1 miles away from the Shasta Dam, we stopped at Fisherman's Point to see a viewpoint of the Shasta Dam and the Shasta Lake. The small fleet of stairs took us to an observation point, which is also the head of the Fisherman's trailhead. The trail was closed to the public when we were there. After clicking a few pictures, we went to the Shasta Dam Visitor Center. There are four guided tours everyday during winter - 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The time was 30 minutes past 11am and we got the tickets for the 1pm tour. Glad we came in early to collect the tickets, because only 8 tickets were remaining. At a time, only 40 people are allowed to take the tour. The lady explained to us that we could not bring anything with us except our cameras and keys during the guided tour. She also mentioned that we had to walk on top of the Shasta Dam and arrive at the second tower by 1pm for the tour. We spent some time inside the Visitor Center, looking at the construction pictures of the Shasta Dam. Shasta Dam Visitor Center - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#dqEoFSpFxS8I2Lz2sow_tA As we had time for our 1pm tour, we drove on Shasta Dam Blvd/CA-151 for 1.5 miles to reach a large turnout area, which offered a unique viewpoint of the "Three Shastas" - beautiful Shasta Lake, Shasta Dam and snow-clad Shasta Mountain. This was a gorgeous view! View of "Three Shastas" - Shasta Lake, Shasta Dam and Mount Shasta - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#w2Z-1ty_2AiFaOxSV1-akw We then returned to the Shasta Dam Visitor Center and started walking towards the second tower of the dam. It takes about 5-10 minutes to walk, but of course more time when you stop at several places admiring the breathtaking views and taking pictures. While walking on the dam, we could see the clear waters of Lake Shasta with the snow clad Shasta Mountain in the backdrop. Though acrophobic, the height of the dam did not cause any vertigo. The view of the Sacramento River disappearing behind the mountains was an amazing sight. Height of the Shasta Dam - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww The spillway, as seen while taking the guided tour - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#KGx2xmORnMesnwBjzuuT0A When we reached the second tower of the Shasta Dam, we went through security check and stepped into the elevator that took us all the way till the bottom of the dam. We walked inside the Shasta Dam powerhouse and inside the tunnel that was built for railway engines to bring the construction material to build the dam. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained a lot about the dam's history. Shasta Power Plant - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#sEr_WbTzKZJD02BzAH3ndQ Tunnel once used for a railway engine to transport construction materials - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/shasta-dam-shasta-lake?select=UboIti2h9L_b1Bg13Bd-Ww#hod6TTz6EeAndf9k0RnpbA After the one hour tour, we were totally exhausted and returned to Redding for a nice lunch at Kobe Japanese Restaurant (http://www.yelp.com/biz/kobe-steak-and-seafood-redding#hrid:i8TrB8QtsCDz-WHkrNmmEg). Tips: - Check out the Shasta Dam tour times here (http://www.shastalake.com/shastadam/) - Tickets are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Arrive at the Visitor Center early to pick your tickets, you can spend time inside the Visitor Center and drive to the viewpoint to see the "Three Shastas" until your tour begins - You can only bring water bottle, car keys and camera when you take the tour read more

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Free tours daily! Our tour guide Antoinette was amazing. She came with so many anecdotes and retold history in such a colorful manner that it made the tour very engaging and fun! The tour itself lasts about an hour and is fairly holistic. You'll get a snippet of history and also get to the see the working dam itself, turbines and all. However, to begin the tour, you'll have to empty your pockets of everything and show the strict security guard that your camera and your phone actually work. They are also very specific about what you can and cannot bring onto the tour. Some restrictions were a bit harsh, especially in regards to personal belongings for women (purses and women wallets are a no-go) but they do claim to have never had a parking lot theft either. Didn't make us any less comfortable leaving them in the car though (even after taking the important cards with us). read more

Beautiful views, some of the best around. The dam is great for a walk. Always seems to be people around. Be sure to look up and view the interesting clouds in the sky. Nature is a beautiful thing. read more

Shasta Dam is very cool. If you're going take the scenic way to the dam. There is a pull out place on the left where you can see the "3 Shastas": Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, & Mount Shasta. Awesome. The coolest part is they offer FREE tours of the Shasta Dam & the Power Plant! We are morning people and took the 9am tour. You check in at the visitor center then they tell you to walk to the 2nd tower (about 15 min walk). No cameras, cell phones, weapons, bags allowed on the tour! Tour takes about 1 hr, and limited to 40 pp so get there Early. After walking to the tower you walk thru a security metal detector that is hella sensitive. Guy friend had to take off his metal watch & belt. Crazy. Then you go down an elevator to the bottom, hear their talk about the Dam. You walk outside a bit to see the Spillway and generators. Shasta Dam is located about 9 miles northwest of Redding, on the Sacramento River. Built during the 7 yr period between 1938 & 1945, the dam is a 602 ft high concrete gravity dam which provides flood control, power generation, & water supply benefits. The lake is also used for recreation. They have bathrooms near where the talk is held out. After the tour we went back for our cameras and took pics on the Dam itself, weird they let you do that. Highly recommended. I haven't seen Hoover Dam, but this Dam was cool to me. read more

IT really REALLY holds water!!! dam! It's wet as hell also. South side leaks. Kinda showy if you ask me. read more

It doesn't take a mechanical engineer to appreciate this structure. We took the hour-long free tour to view the galleries, turbines, and penstocks up close. Super cool. Our guide Mino explained how each of the concrete blocks were delivered, mixed, and set. And for the record, as far as the guides know, no one is buried in the dam. It's fun to walk through the dam like an inspector and learn the painstaking planning that took place to build this dam. The statistics alone are astounding, and it is hard to believe that hydropower fuels only 10% of California's energy needs. Hear from your guide how they relocated the railroad and divert the river. It's pretty amazing. Bring only a simple car key, small wallet, camera (or working cellphones only), and clear water bottle. Nothing else will be permitted through the metal detectors, or you may be denied your visit. As the front desk will explain, the parking lot is monitored by high-def cameras and security. Tours are both indoor and outdoor. While waiting for the tour to begin, standing on the dam itself, you may feel like a kahlua pig being heated for a luau. Be patient. The interior of the dam is naturally cool in temperature. When you drive in, visitor parking is on the left. While waiting for our tour, we picnicked on the shaded tables to the right of the visitor center, next to the employee parking lot. Tickets are available an hour before tour times, and often run out. Bathrooms are funky but clean inside the visitor center, and you can read facts upon facts about water usage and dam construction while you wait for your tour. Tour guides do their best to incorporate kids into the tour, but adults will better appreciate the info provided. read more

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A great spot to take all my friends /family when they come to visit. New to this area, I finally made it to the damn tour with my visiting grandchildren. Immaculately clean, friendly and knowledgeable staff! My grandkids ages 5 through 14 all learned some things and held rapt attention during the tour. I bought a book in the gift shop that lists crew members who helped build the dam. My grandparents moved to the area with their (then) small family and grandpa Howards name was listed in the book! Nice breeze when we arrived on what turned out to be a 115 degree summer day. We went on the first tour and stayed cool. Would like to return to the picnic area by the Visitors Center some cool evening and bring a picnic. read more

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I grew up 5 miles from Shasta Lake. I've been coming to the dam since i can remember. I moved away several years ago so my trips here are few and far between. Years ago you could freely drive and walk across the dam with no hassle. Since 9/11 security has been tightened up considerably. For many years you could not drive or even walk across the dam. Now you can walk across it again and they do let vehicles through if you are going to the Ohv park below or if you have another reason. They offer free dam tours daily and the visitor center has nice information about the history of the dam and the area. This is also a great place to stop and have a picnic if you are just driving through the area. The lawn areas are green year round and the massive evergreen trees provide shade in the blistering summers. Frequently you will see wildlife such as deer grazing on the lawn, especially in the evenings. read more

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The other reviews have good descriptions about the free tour, and the tour touches on more than just engineering, but also the human story and culture of the time. Just one more tip here: When you finish with the tour, drive south, uphill along CA-151. 1.4 miles later, you will see a large turnout area, and there, you will find a grand vista of the "Three Shastas": the dam, the lake, and the volcano -- all in one picture! Afterward, continue on the road, and it takes you back to a 4-way stop, intersection of Lake and Shasta Dam Blvds, where you crossed earlier on the way to the visitor center. You will appreciate the security procedures when you think about Shasta Dam as the safeguard that regulates and protects the entire Sacramento River downstream irrigating the Central Valley of California. read more

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I was here on 4-18-11. Shasta Dam. The little treasure that I never knew existed all these times I've driven back & forth from Washington to California. Me & a portion of some of my family that live in Washington were on our way back from California after attending my uncle's funeral, & decided to stop here on our way back. I'm glad I did. There's this long winding road that leads to it. You literally feel like you're about to get lost while you're driving up it, but you eventually make it to the top & reach the awesomeness that is Shasta Dam. It it very scenic & peaceful here. You'll definitely get a chance to see deer roaming around, osprey & eagles flying above the Dam, etc if you keep an eye out. But the best part is walking over the bridge atop the dam. Breath taking. You'll definitely enjoy it here. Make sure you check-out the visitors center as well. I'll be back. read more

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The free tour was pretty impressive. The tour guide was very knowledgeable but did not seem very enthused with giving the tour. You are able to stand next to the bottom of the spillway and enter the areas where the generators are functioning. Cool experience. read more

Shasta Dam - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Shasta Lake, California

This is the best Dam place I have ever been too. Being a former local of the area, "The Dam" is always a regular destination to go for a run, a walk, stick your feet in the water, or just look at "The Mountain". Wildlife is often viewed here, and our latest trip introduced us to a cute little rattle snake. I named him Scott. read more

Shasta Dam - Shasta Lake, as full as I've ever seen it. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Shasta Lake, California

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Great place to visit with great views of lake and spillway. Nice are for a picnic with shady trees. Nice view of mt. Shasta. read more

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Talking about dams is complicated, because many of them impinge horribly on the environment and native ways of life. If you don't think about that, then the dam tour is nice, because it's free and the tour guides are funny. read more

Another place I posted photos for and didn't review! Shame on me. Maybe because there isn't much to say? I liked the cool informational items inside the visitor's center some of the facts about the dam are really interesting. We didn't go on the tour :-( However we did walk out onto the dam and take pictures! It was really cool but we're both afraid of heights so vertigo was an issue for us LOL. I enjoyed making fun of all the various little leaks in the dam and took a few pictures of them. If you're in the area, stop and take a look! read more

Pretty good, but where's the shasta soda machine? Too bad covid still going on, would have loved to catch the tour, but the view was nice so I'll just try to be content. read more

Great place to visit. We went to Redding Ca to see a old friend & decided to check the Dam out! read more

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It's been years since I've done the tour so I decided to do it again. It is really something to see and you can't go wrong - it's free. However, please note there are several things that you cannot take with you on the tour so it's best to leave them inside your car and save yourself a trip to stow your items - cell phones & cameras are okay to take as well as keys. No fit bits, vapes, flashlights (even the tiny ones on your key chain), of course no weapons or multi tools, etc. read more

The free one-hour tour is great! Keep in mind this area is VERY secure, so the ONLY things you're allowed to bring on the tour are your cellphones and cameras. You CAN'T bring any bags or any electronics. I think water bottles are fine too, as I saw a few people with them. Our tour guide was great with telling us about the history and answering questions. I would highly recommend this tour to anybody visiting the area. read more

Shasta Dam is a great place for a day trip. Visit the visitor center to gain some knowledge about Shasta Dam. There is a free 1 hour tour that they offer but get there early because the tours get full really quick. We arrived there around 12:30 and if I can remember there were 4 different tour times after 12:30. To go on the tour you are only allow to bring a camera and cell phone. Absolutely NO bags are allowed. We got to the entrance and learned the hard way. You can walk on the dam and take pictures of the different views they offer. They have picnic tables there where you can eat your lunch and enjoy the fresh air. read more

Shasta Dam - View from the visitor center. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Shasta Lake, California

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