According to officials that monitor the water intake and control the dam for Shasta:   Expect Lake to only be 47 feet down at the end of September (which is great).  This also sets up for a great full lake in 2024 (El Nino is expected in winter 2023/24)

LOCAL BOAT RAMPS:
Antler’s Ramp:  OPEN

Sugarloaf Marina Boat Ramp: OPEN

Sugarloaf County Boat Ramp:  CLOSED (Lake is too high, Under water).  There is no Slope on the payment into the water.

Salt Creek Boat Ramp:  OPEN (Closest for Retreat 8)
We have seen it open via boat.  We don’t know the cost or restrictions.

VIEW FROM HOMES:
Awesome in 2023!  Full Lake!  The views from the homes are all great this year with full lake.  Retreat 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all lakefront and Retreat 5, 7, and 9 are lakeview.  Retreat 6 has a partial lakeview through the trees.  Fortunately, the Lake is FULL!  Currently we have awesome views of the lake (best since 2019) as the lake is full.  Be careful as many other vacation homes in the area claim to be lakefront, but you can not be able to see any water depending on lake level.   Please scroll down to see hundreds of photos at current full lake level and other levels.

WALK TO LAKE: 
20 to 50 feet currently from the 4 lakefront homes.  Extra 75 yards for Retreat 5, 7, 9 and 10.  About 300 yards for Retreat 6.

SWIMMING AT LAKE NEAR HOMES:
You can swim in the lake below R1-R5 and at the end of the street for R9.  There is a trail from all of these homes but use at your own risk.   As always do not leave children alone and make sure they are wearing a life vest anywhere near the water even if they are not going in.  R7 is a short walk across the street to the lake but there is no trail/way to water without walking ~100 yards toward the market on Lakeshore or about 100 yards down the county Sugarloaf boat ramp road across the street.  R6 walk is a couple hundred yards to lake swimming.

FLOATING ISLAND:
We added May 28, 2023 below Retreat 1 and 2 but half of it is deflated.  Looks like a leak.  Will try to fix or replace next visit.  If you happen to be there and have a patch kit, you are welcome to try to fix.

SUGARLOAF MARINA:

OPEN!
For boat slips, please call them as early as possible as they fill up.  Call Lisa at 530-238-8200

Normally opens Memorial Day Weekend and stays open to Labor Day for boat slips, gas, food and supplies.  Walking distance from R1-R7, R9

ANTLERS MARINA:

OPEN!
They are open and located up at their campground and cabins.   They have different types of boats for rent and their slips might be less in price (but not next to homes).

Call them for more information at 530-238-2553.

NOTE:  These Marinas are separate businesses and we have no influence or formal relationship with them.  We can’t be held responsible for their actions, lack of availability and access.

The lake is looking AWESOME for this Summer and next!.   Nothing like a full lake.   It is only expected to drop about 47 feet by the end of the season (compared to 150′ last year) setting up for a great 2024. Recently in the news, it was reported that a heavy rain winter is expect late this year (El Nino).

Normally the lake is the highest in late May /Early June and then starts to drop throughout the Summer and Fall.

With the heavy snowmelt around California, they may hold back more water.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

1. Since we tend to book up early especially for the summer, consider booking as soon as possible for this summer and 2024 and keep an eye on this section of our web site as we will update it as we have new information.  We still have some dates in Summer 2023 but limited.
2. You can always cancel for full refund up to 60 days before.  We will approve a full refund outside of 60 days.
3. Feel free to reach out at any time.  925-200-6934 or ShastaRetreats@gmail.com
4. We will update this every two weeks or sooner.

NOTE:  WE CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE.  PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

OTHER OPEN MARINAS:
The following are full service marinas with gas, rental boats, store, etc.

1. Shasta Marina at Packers Bay (Closest)
2. Bridge Bay (near the big bridge)
3. Holiday Harbor
4. Silverthorne
5. Jones Valley
6. Antlers at Centimundi

When the lake is within this range (considered pretty full or full), the seasonal Sugarloaf marina is a short walk from the homes and the seasonal boat ramp at the marina is open.  Experts expect the lake to be 100% full by May 1st and should only drop about 60 feet through the end of September.  This will make the entire summer great in 2023 and will set up 2024 for another full year.

Shasta has filled close to the top 4 of the 6 past years.   Shasta Lake is not only the largest lake in California, it is also the main reservoir for much of the rich crops in the central valley of the state.  As with other reservoirs, the lake level will vary through the year.  Normally the lake is at its lowest level in November or December before the rains and then increases to its highest level normally by Memorial Day each year after which it slowly drops through the summer/fall/early winter.   Although the lake might look low in some of the fingers, the main parts of the lake still have plenty of water for a great week on the lake even at 200′ feet down.

One good wet season can fill up the lake even when it is very low.

IMPORTANT:  Please read the Blue Section before this section as it will provide you the current information.

Although four of homes are rare lakefront, the distance from each home might go from a stone’s toss to several hundred yards or more.  In severe drought conditions the result can be an empty lake bed below our homes with only the Sacramento river running through it.  In the past 7 years since we purchased Retreat 1 this happened only one time.  This was 2021 when in mid August the marinas moved out of the area and the boat ramp closed later in August.  This did not happen in 2022 and we expect 2023 will go to the top providing a full lake in May 2023.   Fortunately, even when it is low, unlike many homes on inlets of Shasta Lake, we almost always have some water and water views in front of us even at its lowest levels.

One good wet season can fill up the lake even when it is very low.  We take pride in being very transparent and communicating current and potential conditions as best we can.

At 50′ to 100′ below the top, the Sugarloaf County Boat ramp is open and the Sugarloaf marina is normally in full operation (Summer Only).  At about 80′ down, Antlers also moves their marina to this area giving you two marinas near the homes.  Views of the lake change and the distance to the marinas and boat ramps are greater than when the lake is full.  The photos below are a combination of local and main lake conditions.

At 100 feet below the top, Antlers and Sugarloaf Marinas are normally open and in full seasonal operation below our homes as well as the Sugarloaf county low water boat ramp.  Please note when the lake is full, Antlers marina is 3 miles up the lake but at this water level, they normally move their marina to the Sugarloaf area providing you two marinas close by and within sight of five of the homes.  The walk/drive is longer but still all in view.  The first set of photos below are of the Sugarloaf area at this depth range and the later photos are of the lake in the main channel.  Please note that these photos range from 100 to 140 feet down so they can look very different as 40′ fills in a lot.

Latest Update:  Please see other section (to the left if desktop, above if mobile) about the marinas and boat ramps.

At 140′ below the top, the lake level starts to impact the marinas and the boat ramp near our homes.  Although they may stay open to 150′ or more, please plan on driving to other ramps and marinas when the lake gets to this level.  Bay Bridge Marina and Boat Ramp for example is easy to get to but you will have about a 18 minute drive.  See marina section of web site for more information.  The main part of the lake is much deeper and there is lots of water for your enjoyment.   No issues at all, still bigger than most lakes in California when full.  The photos below are of the area near our homes and the later ones are out in the main lake.

At 170′ down or greater, the area near our homes is a dry lake bed with the Sacramento river running through it.  This is a great opportunity to explore and look for buried treasures on feet or on your ATVs.  If you have an ATV…bring it!  There are old tunnels, bridges, roads and much more.  See our low lake treasures section of our web page.  Since it is the bottom of the lake, there is silt near the river.  Gray dry silt is ok to drive and walk on but if the silt is black, do not proceed as you will get stuck.  Although the view is very different than a full lake, our guests continue to visit and have a great time.  The first set of photos below is the area near our homes.  The later photos are in the deeper main part of the lake which still offers great water sports and family enjoyment.   At this level there is no marina or boat ramps close to the home.  This has happened only once since we bought Retreat one 7 years ago.  This was in the Fall of 2021.  This is expect again in 2022 later in the Summer/Fall.

June 2019 FULL LAKE