Gushing out of natural soil and rock wall. Clean and well kept. Some of the most cold, clean, tasty sweet water ever! Comes right out of the mountain in a rush, no pipes needed and starts a beautiful spring there in the city park. People travel for many miles to come get this nectar. Check out the fairy trails behind the spring accessible by a bridge further down from the source.
This is my favorite spring in the whole United States.
Someone posted a test result from Nov 2020 from the headwaters that showed there was coliform in the water. I drank it in Jan 2021 and it was fine. Just as delicious as ever.
When you go to collect the water though, don’t just collect.
Take a moment. Take a deep breath.
And give thanks from your soul for the flowing abundance known as spring water that we get to enjoy.
I filled up some water bottles here in the Spring of 2019 when I happened across the park. Lots of locals filling jugs. Talked to a few who had been getting water there for a long time. Good water.
visited the headwaters on oct 1 of this year and have NEVER had any better tasting water ,just plain pure and clean,what a beautiful place ,i wish all could go there and have the enjoyment we did ,it is a true 10 on the sites to see scale,ps. to my red bluff relitives ,thank you very much,,from minnesota
Best Tasting Spring Water EVER!!!! We visited several springs during a road trip and this water was the cleanest, crispest, most delicious. Many locals came by and hopped rocks to get to the water right as it comes out of the mountain, and it tasted just as good filling up our bottles from the little cement platform that juts out into the headwaters. The city park is a bit hidden, but the directions are good. Drive past the Senior Citizen Dining buildings and you can temporarily park right next to the spring, or park just a little uphill for a longer visit.
p.s. we have been told that there is a hand pump (i think hand pump – it might be a spigot) nearby a few yards away in front of one of the buildings in the middle of the lawn. we have not checked to see if this is also the same water or city water but there was a sign posted on the construction fence that stated people could get water there. Dunsmuir, CA also has a couple of locations to get spring water – one is across the street from the police station – usually open during warmer weather and the other spot is located near the park by the city pool. we used to go to the one by the police station as it was very easy to fill jugs there but we haven’t been in a long time, not since discovering the headwaters.
this has been a favorite place for us. they are doing renovations, as the city recently got a grant to permit wheel chair access to see the headwaters. the only unfortunate thing is that they ahve ‘remodeled’ and added some huge boulders that now make it impossible to access the original spots for getting the water. you can still dip close to the original spots but they are truly covered – this saddens us a little but it’s still somewhat accessible.
Oh yeah!! Was at the Headwaters today and they are AMAZING!! From the picture, I thought it would just be a little spring, and probably hard to fill bottles. I was way wrong. These headwaters are huge and filling up is easy. I took fourteen wine bottles with me a got them all filled. Those suckers sure are heavy!!
This sounds very nice, but realistically it is 4.5 hours from me, the closest spring on this site to me. I am wondering if anyone knows of any springs a bit closer to Eureka?
I Love Mt. Shasta. I've been to this park a few times and always follow the trail around the creek when I visit. The water is ice cold, the foliage is green and lush, you just know this water is special 🙂
This was the second time we came through Mt Shasta in the last couple years and filled up our traveling water jugs. I love this place! Actually any water in town is this water too, but coming out of the taps of course it’s gone through pipes so it loses some of its vitality. So getting it straight from the headwaters is really powerful. Once in the city park, follow signs to the headwaters. It’s a short walk to the spot, and once there you walk across the boulders to find the places where the water gushed out and fill up straight from the creek as you’ll see others doing. It feels a bit strange to gather water this way, but it really is safe and worth every drop of liquid goodness! Enjoy!
We filled out jugs and drank the Spring water for the duration of our road trip! This is a must see if you are anywhere close to this spring. The water was just as awesome as described in other posts. Well worth the trip!
I visited this spring in August of 2015. For those wondering, my meter said that that it has a TDS of about 31 ppm. This spring has some of the best tasting water in California.
It was about a year ago that I actually saw the headwaters of the Sacramento, I was very impressed with the surroundings and the spring.
However three weeks ago my family and I visited the springs only to find adults and kids wading in the spring and buses full of “smoke puking” (gas, diesel and POT) transients from oregon blocking the parking areas and asking for money from visitors.
We waited in line to fill our water bottles only to watch these people wash their feet in the waters of the spring, NASTY!!!
where are the park employee’s or monitors that are supposed to watch over this beautiful place?
I Love Mt. Shasta. I've been to this park a few times and always follow the trail around the creek when I visit. The water is ice cold, the foliage is green and lush, you just know this water is special 🙂
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Sacramento River Headwaters, Mt. Shasta City Park, CA
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Veronika
This is my favorite spring in the whole United States.
Someone posted a test result from Nov 2020 from the headwaters that showed there was coliform in the water. I drank it in Jan 2021 and it was fine. Just as delicious as ever.
When you go to collect the water though, don’t just collect.
Take a moment. Take a deep breath.
And give thanks from your soul for the flowing abundance known as spring water that we get to enjoy.
ormus rich and surely effected by the mysterious energies of Mt. Shasta.
I filled up some water bottles here in the Spring of 2019 when I happened across the park. Lots of locals filling jugs. Talked to a few who had been getting water there for a long time. Good water.
visited the headwaters on oct 1 of this year and have NEVER had any better tasting water ,just plain pure and clean,what a beautiful place ,i wish all could go there and have the enjoyment we did ,it is a true 10 on the sites to see scale,ps. to my red bluff relitives ,thank you very much,,from minnesota
this is where i have asked my wife to spread my ashes. they will flow to eternity.
Best Tasting Spring Water EVER!!!! We visited several springs during a road trip and this water was the cleanest, crispest, most delicious. Many locals came by and hopped rocks to get to the water right as it comes out of the mountain, and it tasted just as good filling up our bottles from the little cement platform that juts out into the headwaters. The city park is a bit hidden, but the directions are good. Drive past the Senior Citizen Dining buildings and you can temporarily park right next to the spring, or park just a little uphill for a longer visit.
Is the water really safe to drink?
Yes it is safe to drink.
I went to Sacramento River’s Headwaters and crisp taste of the fresh water nature attended NO WONDER IT HAS THE BEST WATER TASTE IN THE WORLD!!!
beautiful, wonderfully freezing and exceptionally tasty water. what a hip little experience. love it.
Best. Water. Ever.
about the best water you can get your hands on in california..take your jug there and get with the program
p.s. we have been told that there is a hand pump (i think hand pump – it might be a spigot) nearby a few yards away in front of one of the buildings in the middle of the lawn. we have not checked to see if this is also the same water or city water but there was a sign posted on the construction fence that stated people could get water there. Dunsmuir, CA also has a couple of locations to get spring water – one is across the street from the police station – usually open during warmer weather and the other spot is located near the park by the city pool. we used to go to the one by the police station as it was very easy to fill jugs there but we haven’t been in a long time, not since discovering the headwaters.
this has been a favorite place for us. they are doing renovations, as the city recently got a grant to permit wheel chair access to see the headwaters. the only unfortunate thing is that they ahve ‘remodeled’ and added some huge boulders that now make it impossible to access the original spots for getting the water. you can still dip close to the original spots but they are truly covered – this saddens us a little but it’s still somewhat accessible.
So far this is the best water I have tasted!
Oh yeah!! Was at the Headwaters today and they are AMAZING!! From the picture, I thought it would just be a little spring, and probably hard to fill bottles. I was way wrong. These headwaters are huge and filling up is easy. I took fourteen wine bottles with me a got them all filled. Those suckers sure are heavy!!
This sounds very nice, but realistically it is 4.5 hours from me, the closest spring on this site to me. I am wondering if anyone knows of any springs a bit closer to Eureka?
Well, Thats What The Internet That Your On Right Now Is For Dumbass
I Love Mt. Shasta. I've been to this park a few times and always follow the trail around the creek when I visit. The water is ice cold, the foliage is green and lush, you just know this water is special 🙂
Holy water—tastes delicious. Just a note that filling 5 gallon jugs can be a bit challenging but not impossible!
Amazingly delicious water, everyone should drink this!
Gratitude
This was the second time we came through Mt Shasta in the last couple years and filled up our traveling water jugs. I love this place! Actually any water in town is this water too, but coming out of the taps of course it’s gone through pipes so it loses some of its vitality. So getting it straight from the headwaters is really powerful. Once in the city park, follow signs to the headwaters. It’s a short walk to the spot, and once there you walk across the boulders to find the places where the water gushed out and fill up straight from the creek as you’ll see others doing. It feels a bit strange to gather water this way, but it really is safe and worth every drop of liquid goodness! Enjoy!
Are you still selling spigots? I would like 7 unit. THANK YOU
We filled out jugs and drank the Spring water for the duration of our road trip! This is a must see if you are anywhere close to this spring. The water was just as awesome as described in other posts. Well worth the trip!
tds has been around 55 lately… water test show .024 ppm aluminum 8/28/16
tds: 33-55 multiple tests months apart.
local talk of tests showing aluminum and lead in trace amounts but cannot verify. personal exp.- metallic/iron taste on 3ish occasions in last 4 years
Has anyone been here recently? I’m coming up from the bay area and want to make sure the drought hasn’t affected it. thanks
The water has a tds of about 30 ppm
I visited this spring in August of 2015. For those wondering, my meter said that that it has a TDS of about 31 ppm. This spring has some of the best tasting water in California.
It was about a year ago that I actually saw the headwaters of the Sacramento, I was very impressed with the surroundings and the spring.
However three weeks ago my family and I visited the springs only to find adults and kids wading in the spring and buses full of “smoke puking” (gas, diesel and POT) transients from oregon blocking the parking areas and asking for money from visitors.
We waited in line to fill our water bottles only to watch these people wash their feet in the waters of the spring, NASTY!!!
where are the park employee’s or monitors that are supposed to watch over this beautiful place?
Anyone have TDS?
I Love Mt. Shasta. I've been to this park a few times and always follow the trail around the creek when I visit. The water is ice cold, the foliage is green and lush, you just know this water is special 🙂