Major city · United States
McCloud
Give McCloud one night, two if you ski or fish: it is a small mill town 15 min off I-5, best May–Oct and cheap to walk.
McCloud is a former lumber company town of about 1,100 people on the south slope of Mount Shasta, 15 minutes east of Interstate 5. The draw is not the town itself but what surrounds it: the McCloud River falls and its trout water, the ski park four miles away, and Highway 89 toward Lassen. Almost everything is walkable on Main Street, and one night covers the town; add a second for a river or ski day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct for river and trails; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov and Apr shoulder closures; midsummer smoke years vary
- Airports
- MFR · RDD · SMF
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for McCloud911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Siskiyou County non-emergency sheriff530-841-2900
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about McCloud, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are mountain weather, smoke, and long empty drives.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 530-841-2900 Siskiyou County non-emergency sheriff · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (About 2 h by car via I-5; the usual commercial gateway).
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: the town is compact but the river, falls and ski park are 4–15 miles out with no useful bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personTip 18–22% on top.$20–35
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or burger$12–18
- Budget bedFamily room or cabin (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$160
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MFR Rogue Valley International–Medford (About 2 h by car via I-5; the usual commercial gateway) · RDD Redding Regional (About 1 h 30 min south on I-5; small, few flights) · SMF Sacramento International (About 4 h south; use for a full northern-California loop)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Oct, Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
McCloud: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: the town is compact but the river, falls and ski park are 4–15 miles out with no useful bus. Exit 89 off I-5, then Minnesota Ave to Main Street. In town, park once and walk Main Street in 10 minutes.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Shasta
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive I-5 north about 20 min
Bigger town for groceries, gear and more food; pair with a Shasta trailhead.
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive I-5 south about 25 min
River access and a small historic downtown; good half-day.
Door to door: About 40 min
Drive I-5 north about 35 min
Fuel and services rather than sights; useful on the way north.
Yreka
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive I-5 north about 50 min
County seat with gold-rush storefronts and the best service town nearby.
Lava Beds National Monument
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive Highway 89 east then 139 and 97, about 2 h
Caves and lava country; too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street / downtown
The Mercantile hotel and most food; walk to everything, quiet after dark.
Squaw Valley Road
Golf course, River Grill and the road toward the ski park; you need a car.
Highway 89 corridor and campgrounds
RV parks and forest camps toward the river; cheapest, no walkable food.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–190 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Mount Shasta Ski Park lift ticket, one day2 × US$70 · check | US$140 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$69 |
| Trip total≈ US$380 per person per day, bed included | US$759 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or burger | $12–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, one personTip 18–22% on top. | $20–35 |
| Gallon of gascheck | $4–5 |
| Motel room, summer weekend | $120–220 |
| Ski-park lift ticketcheck | $60–85 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cell coverage is patchy on Highway 89 and at the river; download maps before you leave I-5.
- Winter storms close Highway 89 and the ski-park road without much notice: carry chains.
- Wildfire smoke can cancel the view for days in Jul–Sep; check air quality before committing.
- Food options are few and close early; the dinner train no longer runs, so do not plan around it.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Siskiyou County non-emergency sheriff
- 530-841-2900
- Poison Control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
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McCloudMcCloud
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Siskiyou County sheriff, non-emergency530-841-2900
- Poison Control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in McCloud; nearest consular services are in San Francisco. For US emergencies call 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Medford airport → McCloud by car: about 2 h, 100 mi (check)
- Redding → McCloud by car: about 1 h 30 min on I-5 (check)
- McCloud → Mount Shasta Ski Park: about 4 mi, 10 min by car
Say or show
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
- Do you take card? — Do you take card?
- One night, two people — One night, two people
- Where is the nearest gas? — Where is the nearest gas?
Small town: book summer weekends and ski weekends ahead; many places close early.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for McCloud. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct for river and trails; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov and Apr shoulder closures; midsummer smoke years vary · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for MFR and RDD: last sensible departure, winter chain rules, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster on Main Street with rescue anchors: Mercantile, cafés, the river road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (McCloud Falls, Ski Park, Highway 89 viewpoints) and eat pages with last orders.
- Smoke and storm fixtures so gate decisions can go green in Jul–Sep and Dec–Mar.
Sources
- officialVisit California — Siskiyou County
- officialSiskiyou County
- officialCaltrans road conditions
- secondaryWikivoyage: McCloud, revision 4859460 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about McCloud
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