Shasta State Historic Park is nestled just six miles west of Redding along Highway 299. It takes visitors back to the Gold Rush–era “Queen City” of Northern California. Brick storefronts whisper stories of boomtown ambition. Preserved courthouse halls stand as quiet witnesses to a vibrant past.
What Makes This Park Unique
Shasta State Historic Park was once a bustling mining hub in the mid-1800s. The preserved ruins and restored buildings give it a layered character few sites can match. These include an 1861-era courthouse filled with historical exhibits and California artwork. The railroad largely bypassed this ghost town preserve. It was gradually reclaimed by time and fires. Now, it offers an authentic window into Gold Rush commerce, civic life, and frontier resilience.
Top Activities and Amenities
Exhibits & Historical Buildings
Step inside the restored County Courthouse. It has been carefully returned to its 1861 appearance. Now it houses displays rich with period court records, striking California artwork, and local artifacts. Wander through brick storefronts that once brimmed with mercantile energy—now silent, but eloquent in their decay.
Guided & Self-Guided Tours
Explore at your own pace using downloadable audio tours and interpretive panels scattered throughout. Guided tours, including special events like the 75th-anniversary courthouse presentations, are offered seasonally, deepening the connection to each building’s story.
Hiking Trail & Scenic Picnic Area
A gravesite trail leads from the historic town center to an old cemetery—a reflective walk through regional history. Nearby, shaded picnic benches by the Pioneer Barn invite you to pause amid the town’s pastureland echoes.
Visitor Center & Gift Shop
The Courthouse Visitor Center is open Thursday through Sunday. It provides restrooms and drinking water. There is a modest gift shop stocked with local history books, keepsakes, and maps. These items nourish your curiosity and support the park.
Interpretive Programs & Ranger-Led Activities
Attend living-history days, PortS (parks online resources) presentations, and school programs. These programs bring Shasta’s stories to life. They do this through storytelling, demonstrations, and immersive learning. This experience is especially enriching for younger visitors.
Wildlife Viewing & Photography
Though primarily a cultural site, Shasta’s quiet outskirts and oak-studded meadows welcome photographers and nature lovers. They look to capture stillness, golden light, and glimpses of birdlife in the historic commons.
Practical Visitor Tips
- Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission to exhibits is typically $3 for adults. It is $2 for youth. Children under 5 are admitted free.
- The Visitor Center and Courthouse Museum operate Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Entry is free for day-use, and passes like the Historian Passport are accepted.
- Dogs are not permitted on-site; to preserve artifacts and wildlife, please leave pets behind.
- Wear sturdy shoes—most trails are unpaved and shaded areas are limited.
- Bring water and snacks—while there’s a café just off-site, mouthwatering views invite longer pauses.
- Parking is roadside along the historic main street—plan for limited spaces during peak tourist hours.
- Cell service may be intermittent—download audio tours or the visitor guides before you arrive.
Local insight: Catch the warm glow of late afternoon filtering through the courthouse windows. The artwork seems to come alive in that light. Plan your visit for a summer Saturday when free anniversary tours bring courthouse stories to vivid life. Afterwards, stroll across the highway to the hidden Pioneer Cemetery and follow the grave trail to a peaceful vantage overlooking rolling hills—this is where Shasta’s echoes feel nearest and most moving.