Sweetbriar Spring, Castella, CA 96067

## Overview Sweetbriar Spring is a roadside public drinking spring located near the small community of Castella in Shasta County, California, just off Interstate 5 in the upper Sacramento River canyon. The spring emerges from the hillside and is channeled through steel pipes, providing a steady flow of cool, refreshing water. Visitors have reported a water temperature of approximately 46°F (about 8°C) and a total dissolved solids (TDS) reading of 103 ppm, suggesting relatively clean, low-mineral water. The spring has historically been used as a drinking water source by travelers and locals passing through the area. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Shasta and the Castle Crags, this stretch of Northern California is renowned for its abundant natural springs fed by snowmelt and deep geological formations. Sweetbriar Spring sits at an elevation of roughly 2,100 feet along the Sacramento River corridor, an area rich in volcanic geology that naturally filters water through layers of rock and sediment. ## Directions 1. Travel along **Interstate 5** to the **Sweetbriar exit**, located just south of the town of Dunsmuir, California. 2. **If coming from the south (heading north on I-5):** Take the Sweetbriar exit and **turn left** at the end of the off-ramp. 3. **If coming from the north (heading south on I-5):** Take the Sweetbriar exit and **turn right** at the end of the off-ramp. 4. Follow the road a short distance. The spring is located **just around a bend**, emerging from the hillside through **steel pipes** on the uphill side of the road. 5. **GPS Coordinates:** 41.126501, -122.325468 The spring is easily accessible from the road and does not require any significant hiking. ## What to Expect Sweetbriar Spring is a convenient, roadside spring that's easy to access directly from your vehicle. The water flows from steel pipes set into the hillside, making it simple to fill bottles or jugs. The flow comes directly from the slope above the road, and the surrounding area is forested with the rugged, mountainous terrain typical of the upper Sacramento River valley. The water temperature has been reported at a cool 46°F, and with a TDS of 103 ppm, visitors have noted the water tastes clean and fresh. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions, and the water is untreated. This is a great stop for road-trippers traveling the I-5 corridor through Northern California. The nearby town of Dunsmuir offers restaurants, lodging, and access to other outdoor attractions including Castle Crags State Park and the Sacramento River Trail. The area is especially scenic in autumn and spring, though the spring flows year-round.