🔴 THERE IS NO WAY IN THAT AVOIDS THE DAM. North or south on I-5, every route crosses Shasta Dam — there is no back road. The crest is OPEN 6 AM TO 10 PM ONLY and is strictly closed to vehicles AND pedestrians overnight. Staging at Chappie/Shasta puts you on the FAR SIDE: you cannot leave before 6 AM and you cannot arrive after 10 PM. There is no alternative, so plan around it.
Permit status not confirmed. Check with the managing agency.
Wildlife species in the area include osprey, bald eagle, mule deer, and bear.
Guide
About this area
Visitors to the rolling, brushy hills near Shasta Lake in northern California will find off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding challenges for all abilities. More than 250 miles of roads and trails are open to motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle drivers and four-wheelers.
Full agency description
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
Overview
Visitors to the rolling, brushy hills near Shasta Lake in northern California will find off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding challenges for all abilities. More than 250 miles of roads and trails are open to motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle drivers and four-wheelers. The area is near massive Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake, and there are overlooks of the Sacramento River below the dam. Wildlife species in the area include osprey, bald eagle, mule deer, and bear. This area was named after former U.S.Congressman, Eugene Chappie. The area is partially by the California State Parks OHV program. Chappie/Shasta OHV Recreation Area is open year-round.
Need a Map?
Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area Northern RegionChappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area Southern Region
Helpful Links
To review current and past grants visit the: CA State Parks WebsiteFor information about ATV safety visit the: ATV Safety InstituteFor safety information or Recreational Vehicle training visit: Recreational Off-highway Vehicle Association
Nearby Attractions
For more OHV opportunities, visit these other BLM Managed Off-Highway Vehicle Areas located in Northern California and Nevada:Fort Sage OHV AreaDry Valley OHV AreaRice Canyon OHV AreaSouth Cow Mountain OHV Management Area Rolling, brushy hills near Shasta Lake about 10 miles north-east of Redding, with more than 250 miles of roads and trails open to motorcycles, ATVs and four-wheelers. Named after former U.S.Congressman Eugene Chappie and part-managed through California State Parks OHV program.
At a glance
Quick facts
Best season
year-round
Managing agency
Bureau of Land Management
Access
Getting there
Chappie-Shasta ORV Staging AreaEntrance
On CORAM ROAD. I-5 to the Shasta Dam exit, west on Shasta Dam Boulevard, continue west across the dam on the paved road. The staging area is the big paved lot with the loading ramp. ⚠️ Do NOT navigate to the BLM area marker — it sits in the trees, not at the staging area.
Specific to Chappie/Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area
Crossing Shasta Dam: carry a valid driver license and current vehicle registration — both are required.
Reclamation publish NO trailer or RV ban for the dam crest, unlike Parker Dam — but everything is subject to inspection and access can be refused. If you are running something unusually large, ring ahead.
Access across the dam can be changed or revoked at any time depending on the security level. It is not guaranteed.
Standard OHV rules (10)
Common equipment, registration and trail-use rules still apply.
⭐ RIDE TO THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARD, NOT THE LEGAL MINIMUM. What is written below is what the managing agency requires. A helmet, eye protection, a flag and proper gear are what get you home — wear them whether or not the law where you are riding insists on it.
🪖 Side-by-side / UTV (factory-built, steering wheel, bucket seats, under 1,000cc, does over 30 mph): helmets on the driver and every passenger, and seat belts or a harness fastened whenever it is moving. That is California law on public land.
🪖 Sand car, sand rail, dune buggy, Jeep, or anything home-built or over 1,000cc: no helmet or seat-belt law applies. Wear them anyway — State Parks recommend it, and so do we.
🪖 Quads and ATVs: helmet on every rider, any age. Dirt bikes: helmet required under 18.
⚠️ Tuned it past 30 mph? A machine built for 30 or under that now goes faster is treated like a side-by-side — helmet and belt rules apply.
👶 A child seat does not replace a helmet. In a side-by-side, a child in a car seat still wears one.
Source: California Vehicle Code §500, §38505, §38601–38602 — checked Aug 2026.
🪖 Any helmet the law requires must meet FMVSS 218 and carry a DOT label — CVC 27802.
📖 CHECK THE LAW YOURSELF — these requirements come from California State Parks OHMVR — Laws & Safety. Rules change, and you are responsible for compliance: ohv.parks.ca.gov
🗺️ NO SIGNAL? TAKE AN OFFLINE MAP. BLM publish free GEOREFERENCED PDF maps that show your live GPS position with no cell service, in the Avenza Maps app or similar. Download the map for this area BEFORE you leave tarmac: www.blm.gov
Permits
Permits & registration
Permit and registration details
State residents
California residents: OHV must display a current Green Sticker or Red Sticker registration from the CA DMV.
Out-of-state riders
Out-of-state riders: a California Nonresident OHV Use Permit is required unless your OHV carries current registration from your home state. $30 ($31.95 online), valid from purchase through December 31 of that year.
Permit and registration rules change. Confirm current requirements with the managing agency before you ride — you are responsible for compliance.
Trip support
Fuel, food & local help
Pump gas & diesel
NOTHING PAST THE DAM — fill up on Lake Blvdfuel
Last chance before the dam crossing · Once you cross Shasta Dam onto Coram Road there is nothing, and the crest closes 10 PM to 6 AM so you cannot nip back out overnight.More
Last chance before the dam crossing · Once you cross Shasta Dam onto Coram Road there is nothing, and the crest closes 10 PM to 6 AM so you cannot nip back out overnight.
Comets Gas Station — 12886 Lake Blvdfuel
THE LAST ONE ON THE WAY IN — on Lake Blvd where you turn for the dam · Right on the route. Closes 10:30 PM.
South on I-5, about 10 miles — 24-hour ARCO on Cascade Blvd · If you roll in late this is your only round-the-clock option, and you still have to beat the 10 PM dam closure.More
South on I-5, about 10 miles — 24-hour ARCO on Cascade Blvd · If you roll in late this is your only round-the-clock option, and you still have to beat the 10 PM dam closure.
Mountain Gate / Fawndale — coming down from the northfuel
COMING FROM THE NORTH on I-5 — before you cut west · Last services on I-5 heading south before you turn west for the dam. You still cross the dam either way.More
COMING FROM THE NORTH on I-5 — before you cut west · Last services on I-5 heading south before you turn west for the dam. You still cross the dam either way.
ELEVATED LOADING RAMP for OHVs, accessible double vault toilets, accessible water hydrants with paddle valves, a pavilion with 6 picnic tables, benches and grills, and an information kiosk with trail maps.More
ELEVATED LOADING RAMP for OHVs, accessible double vault toilets, accessible water hydrants with paddle valves, a pavilion with 6 picnic tables, benches and grills, and an information kiosk with trail maps.
On the dam access road before you cross · Open FRIDAY TO TUESDAY, 8 AM to 4 PM — CLOSED WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Guided dam tours run the same days, first-come first-served.More
On the dam access road before you cross · Open FRIDAY TO TUESDAY, 8 AM to 4 PM — CLOSED WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. Guided dam tours run the same days, first-come first-served.
Area information is informational only and may be inaccurate or out of date. Verify access, weather, closures, permits and hazards before and during any trip. See Terms.
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