Are dogs allowed on Black Butte?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Black Butte but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Black Butte?

No, Black Butte does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Black Butte?

Black Butte is rated difficult. It is 6.1 miles long with 2,169 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

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California

Black Butte

Mount Shasta, California

6.1 mi

Distance

2,169 ft

Elev. Gain

3h 2m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Difficult

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The Black Butte Trail is one of the oldest and most well used National Forest trails. The trail has become dangerous because of the reduced trail maintenance funding. A wire basket retaining wall on a small section of the trail is failing. It collapsed across the trail and the rest of it is hanging out over the trail. There could be tragic results if it were to fail. There is no alternate off- trail route because of the boulder fields. The Trail Association no longer gives information on how to reach the trail. You should explore other trails in the area. The Siskiyou outdoor recreation alliance is working with the forest service to find a solution

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:1,327 ft

Max:1,907 ft

661 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context