From central Redding, take Interstate 5 north about 7 miles to the Shasta Dam exit (exit 685). Follow Shasta Dam Boulevard (Rte. 151) west 2 miles; turn right on Lake Boulevard to Shasta Dam.
Although a permit is not currently required to cross Shasta Dam, a driver crossing the dam may be asked to produce a valid drivers’ license and vehicle registration.
Before crossing the dam, maps can be obtained at the Vsitor's Center on the left.
The dam road is closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. If somebody did happen to arrive after 10:00 p.m., there is plenty of parking space available at the Visitor's Center for overnight parking.
After crossing Shasta Dam, turn left and travel 2 miles to the facilities - the staging area is on right, the campground is on left. The BLM’s campground fee is $10 per night for RV’s, with no fee for an additional vehicle; we’re told that there are 22 campsites but each site can hold more than one rig.
** (GPS coordinates for campground approx. N 40 degrees 42', W 122 degrees 26', per RiderPlanet.)
The RiderPlanet website reports that, "trails here could be described as dry and a bit rocky" - and that there are 200 miles of roads and trails which are "mostly" amateur terrain, with "many" water crossings, "many" steep hills, "no" large jumps, "some" single track, "some" roads, and "few" intersections.
Riders on ThumperTalk report that the Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area offers 250 miles of roads and trails over 52,000 acres for off-road enthusiasts. Elevation within this area ranges from 600 to 5000 feet with a wide variety of topography, soil, and vegetation types. The southeastern portions offer rocky and challenging terrain, while the more remote northwestern portions offer scenic views of Mt. Shasta, Lake Shasta, the Trinity Alps and Mt. Lassen. The riding consists of two-way trails, ATV and single-track, as well as 4x4 dirt roads. Wildlife species in the area include osprey, bald eagle, mule deer, and bear. The area, named for former U. S. Congressman Eugene Chappie, is open year-round.