Christmas Tree Island Park
Rate this placeNearby: Rotary Bandstand Hoosgow Park
Last Updated: December 26, 2025
Christmas Tree Island Park is a beautiful park located in Lake Shasta, California, and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
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Summary
The park has several compelling reasons to visit, including stunning views, exciting outdoor activities, and unique landmarks.
One of the most notable points of interest in the park is the Christmas Tree Island, a small island that was formed by volcanic activity. The island is home to several species of wildlife, including deer, osprey, and bald eagles, making it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can also explore the island's hiking trails and enjoy the scenic surroundings.
Another highlight of the park is the Shasta Caverns, which are located on a hillside overlooking Lake Shasta. The caverns are home to a variety of geological formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and underground lakes. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caverns and learn about their unique history and formation.
The park is also popular for its water activities, including swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors can rent boats, kayaks, and paddleboards and explore the lake's many coves and inlets. The park also has several picnic areas, making it a great destination for a family outing or a romantic picnic.
Interesting facts about the area include that Lake Shasta is the largest man-made lake in California, covering more than 30,000 acres, and the park is also home to several historic buildings, including the Old Shasta Ghost Town. Visitors can explore the town's historic buildings and learn about the area's gold rush history.
The best time of year to visit Christmas Tree Island Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is perfect for swimming and water sports. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and scenic drives in the fall and spring.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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