Major city · United States
McArthur
Skip McArthur unless you have a boat for Ahjumawi Lava Springs or want world-class trout fishing: half a day for the fair or a full day on the water.
McArthur is a tiny town in the Shasta Cascades with fewer than 400 residents. Its draw is the uncrowded Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park (boat access only), the old-fashioned Inter-Mountain Fair, and some of the best trout fishing in California on the Fall River. There are no motels, no major shops, and no public transport. Most visitors drive through on CA-299 between Redding and Alturas.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid November–April (cold, some facilities closed)
- Airport
- RDD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for McArthur911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Medical911
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 McArthur, 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.
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 / medical
- 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.
- AirportRDD Redding Municipal Airport (About 50 min drive west on CA-299; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundCar required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at CrumbsUS$3–5
- Budget bedRV site (Lassen RV Resort), a night, per roomUS$35
- Mid-range bedRV site (Lassen RV Resort), a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedRV site (Lassen RV Resort), a night, per roomUS$70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$120 · High US$250
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
- RDD Redding Municipal Airport (About 50 min drive west on CA-299; limited flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
McArthur: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°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
Car required. The town is walkable on foot, but Ahjumawi Lava Springs needs a boat (canoe/kayak) and a drive to the put-in. No taxis or ride-hailing.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
Drive west on CA-299, about 50 min
Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Museum, and restaurants.
Door to door: 40 min
Drive east on CA-299 then north on CA-89, about 30 min
Burney Falls is a 5-min walk from the parking lot.
Shasta Lake
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive west on CA-299 to I-5 south, about 1 h
Houseboat rentals, hiking, and lake recreation.
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.
Fall River Mills
Nearest motels, about 5 min east on CA-299.
Lassen RV Resort
RV park on Old Highway Rd; full hookups, check availability.
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
- US$30–60 (gas, snacks, fishing license)
- Mid
- US$80–150 (motel in Fall River Mills, meals)
- High
- US$200+ (guided fishing trip, RV site)
Trip budget
| Motel in Fall River Mills1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fishing license (non-resident, 1 day)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Boat rental (canoe/kayak for Ahjumawi)1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$253 per person per day, bed included | US$506 |
check
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rental car excluded.
Prices of common things
| Gas (per gallon)check | US$4.50–5.50 |
| Coffee at Crumbs | US$3–5 |
| Burger at Bulldog Bite | US$8–12 |
| Fishing license (non-resident, 1 day)check | US$20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ahjumawi Lava Springs is boat-access only; no bridge or road.
- No motels in McArthur itself; book in Fall River Mills or Redding.
- Hunting seasons (fall/winter) mean orange clothing advised if hiking.
- Cell service is patchy on the lake and in the park.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Medical
- 911
Pocket card
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McArthurMcArthur
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Medical911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Redding → McArthur (car): about 50 min, US$8–10 gas
- McArthur → Burney Falls (car): about 30 min, US$5 gas
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the boat launch? — Where is the boat launch?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
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 McArthur. 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–October · avoid November–April (cold, some facilities closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about McArthur
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