McCloud CA and Dunsmuir CA: A Road Trip Guide to Two Hidden Northern California Gems
McCloud CA and Dunsmuir CA are two of the most underrated small towns in Northern California, and they sit less than 20 miles apart near the base of Mount Shasta on I-5. If you are road tripping through Northern California on I-5 or planning a dedicated trip to the Mount Shasta region, pairing McCloud and Dunsmuir gives you a full Northern California small-town experience: rivers, waterfalls, forests, good food, and none of the crowds you will find at more marketed destinations. Here is your practical road trip guide to McCloud CA and Dunsmuir CA.
Getting There: McCloud CA and Dunsmuir CA from I-5
Both McCloud CA and Dunsmuir CA are directly accessible from I-5 in Northern California. Dunsmuir CA is at exit 726 on I-5, north of Redding. McCloud CA is about 10 miles east of I-5 on Highway 89, accessed from the Mount Shasta I-5 exit. The two towns form a natural loop: come off I-5 at Dunsmuir, head up to Mount Shasta, take Highway 89 east to McCloud, then loop back to I-5. Total drive time for the loop is about 90 minutes with stops near Dunsmuir and McCloud.
What to Do in Dunsmuir CA
Dunsmuir CA anchors the southern end of the McCloud-Dunsmuir road trip with the Sacramento River running through its downtown. Key stops in Dunsmuir CA:
- Sacramento River Trail through Dunsmuir city park
- Mossbrae Falls (best waterfall near Dunsmuir CA)
- Hedge Creek Falls lava cave just north of Dunsmuir on I-5
- Castle Crags State Park 8 miles south of Dunsmuir on I-5
- Yaks on the 5 for the best meal in Dunsmuir CA
What to Do in McCloud CA
McCloud CA is a historic mill town turned outdoor gateway on the flanks of Mount Shasta. Key stops in McCloud CA:
- McCloud River Falls: three waterfalls in a row on the McCloud River, accessible via an easy 3-mile trail near McCloud CA
- McCloud Lake: a small alpine lake above McCloud CA with good fishing and swimming
- McCloud Mercantile Hotel: a restored 1915 hotel with a bar and restaurant in downtown McCloud
- McCloud Heritage Junction Museum: small local history museum in downtown McCloud CA
Eat in Dunsmuir CA Before or After McCloud
Whether you start in Dunsmuir CA and end in McCloud, or do the loop in reverse, Yaks on the 5 in Dunsmuir CA is the best dining stop on this road trip. We are in the heart of Dunsmuir CA right on I-5, and we serve exactly the kind of food you want after a day exploring McCloud and Dunsmuir: real, well-made, and worth stopping for. See our menu and find us in Dunsmuir CA at Yaks on the 5.
