Mount Shastafall foliage
No reports yet this season for Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Right now in Mount Shasta · September
- Castle Lake Campground season · Jun–Oct
- Road to Panther Meadows open · Jul–Oct
27days to the next fall foliage seasonusually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)
Next 7 days
No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.
National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 7:40 AM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.
Frost near Shasta-Trinity National Forest
First frost usually in ~2 weeks
Oct 12Average first fall frost
May 6Average last spring frost
The day a 32°F night is as likely as not, 1991–2020, at NOAA's Mt Shasta station (0.5 mi away, 3,553 ft). Source ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Shasta-Trinity National Forest through the year
- Castle Lake Campground seasonNowJun–Oct
- Road to Panther Meadows openNowJul–Oct
- McCloud River Loop winter gatesNov–Apr
Best spots around Shasta-Trinity National Forest
- Castle LakeAbout 11 miles from Mt. Shasta on a paved road5,400 ft5,400 ft
- McCloud River fallsThree falls, 15 to 50 feet, about 3 miles round trip
- Lake SiskiyouBigleaf maples, canyon live oaks and dogwoods
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · US Forest Service, Visiting Mount Shasta (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Fall Colors (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Castle Lake (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, McCloud River Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Castle Lake Campground (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Upper McCloud River Loop (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)
Questions people ask
When is peak fall foliage in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in 2026?
We don't have local timing for Shasta-Trinity National Forest yet. Statewide for California: color is usually well under way by late October (USA-NPN volunteer observations, 2020–2025). That's for the whole state and isn't a peak or a forecast.
How is the fall color in Shasta-Trinity National Forest right now?
Not now: the fall foliage season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 27 days (usually well under way by late October, statewide (USA-NPN volunteer observations)).
When is the road up Mount Shasta open?
The road to Panther Meadows and the Old Ski Bowl is open each year from July 1 through October 31. The rest of the year it's closed to cars at Bunny Flat, but you can go on foot.Source: US Forest Service, Visiting Mount Shasta ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When does snow arrive on Mount Shasta?
The Forest Service says the first significant snows often come by the beginning of October.Source: US Forest Service, Visiting Mount Shasta ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
Castle Lake: about 11 miles from Mt. Shasta on a paved road; McCloud River falls: three falls, 15 to 50 feet, about 3 miles round trip; Lake Siskiyou: bigleaf maples, canyon live oaks and dogwoods.
Are there closures or permits to know about in Shasta-Trinity National Forest?
McCloud River Loop winter gates (Nov–Apr).
What is Shasta-Trinity National Forest like through the year?
Castle Lake Campground season (Jun–Oct), Road to Panther Meadows open (Jul–Oct) and McCloud River Loop winter gates (Nov–Apr).