4 Lesser Visited Northern California Parks
If you want dry, desert terrain, go to Southern California, but if you want a touch of green to compliment the landscape, you'll enjoy Northern California. Trade desert scenery for endless pine and fir trees, dry canyons for roaring waterfalls, and higher crowds for a somewhat more secluded experience. Fewer people venture off Interstate 5 as they're going to and from Oregon and if they knew what they were missing, I'd safely bet the visitation numbers would boost significantly.
I'm going to share 4 lesser visited Northern California parks that aren't recognized as much as some of the other major media hogging ones. It's certainly not due to lack of beauty, however, but more of a lack of effort. In fact, of the 4 I'm going to share in this article, 3 are literally minutes off the highway while only the 4th requires some commitment. I'm hoping to shed some light on these exceptional parks and share why you should take them into consideration.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
What's interesting to me is the yearly visitation numbers for this park hover around the million visitor mark and yet I've rarely met someone who had even heard of it. I'd be interested to know where they are from because many avid hikers and outdoor lovers I know in California are missing out and it's my hope this will showcase why it's a beautiful destination.
I will state upfront that the devastating Carr Fire in 2018 burned a large portion of the park and to this day, there are many areas that have either drastically changed or are currently off limits. My visit to the area was well before this fire so it's certainly possible the landscape is significantly different. It is highly recommended to check in with the rangers at the visitor center upon arrival to best determine where to explore.
Whiskeytown, That's a Funny Name
One can't help but wonder how certain towns have received their names. Some may forever be a mystery, but thankfully there is an answer to how the Whiskeytown name came about. Legend has it, during the goldrush in the 1850s, the pack on a mule's back broke free, releasing a barrel of whiskey. It tumbled down the hillside and smashed on the rocks below in a creek. Whiskey flowed down the creek, which was later named Whiskey Creek, and the nearby mining town thus forward was known as Whiskeytown. The name has stuck for nearly 2 centuries even though the town is no longer in existence.
How to Get There
A quick, sub 20 minute drive up CA-299 from the town of Redding will get you to the visitor center and your first views of the lake. From this point you can decide to go north or south and follow the lake to your next destination.
A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/QV2WqwJ9zqNDwhrX8
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area does have a visitor entrance fee of $25 for a 7 day vehicle pass. Since this is a National Park Service site, the America the Beautiful pass is accepted here as well.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/whis/index.htm
Things to Do
Waterfalls? Check. Fishing? Check. Scenic vistas? Check. Historic landmarks? Check. Panning for gold? Yep, you can check that one too. At Whiskeytown, numerous experiences beckon the adventurer.
Hiking
There are a lot of cool things to see here, but in my opinion, a couple of the highlighted sites are the waterfalls and the historic remnants of mining operations. There are 4 waterfalls in the park with the tallest being that of Whiskeytown Falls which has a total elevation drop of 220ft. On the mining side of things, several abandoned mines are scattered about. While these are all closed, you can still find equipment and artifacts that were left nearby the entrances.
Whiskeytown Falls
The crown jewel waterfall hike of the park is probably Whiskeytown Falls. The water drops a total of 220ft over a few different cascades making for an impressive sight. To access this natural wonder, you must complete a 3.4 mile roundtrip adventure complete with a 700ft ascent via the James K. Carr Trail.
Crystal Creek Falls
This is technically a man made waterfall and not 100% natural, however, that doesn't detract from this pretty waterfall. Its extremely easy access makes it the perfect pick for literally anyone. The flat and paved trail is only 2/3 mile roundtrip.
Clear Creek Vista Trail
For those wanting a 2-3 hour experience which takes you past some historical places, the Clear Creek Vista Trail is perfect. At 4.8 miles and 600ft of elevation gain roundtrip, it’s a very doable hike for many people. You start at the Tower House Historic District. The house here was owned by Charles Camden, a wealthy businessman who moved to the area for, you guessed it, gold. The house and surrounding outbuildings are very well preserved. Note that the Carr Fire apparently took out the grass here, but left the house untouched.
As you head down the trail, you might spot some wildlife along Clear Creek.
The other highlight is the abandoned El Dorado Mine. While I don’t have much information on this mine, it is interesting to walk around and look at the leftover equipment
Oak Bottom Campground
Offering some of the best campsites at the park, Oak Bottom Campground is where you want to go for lakeside access sites. It has 116 sites for anything from tents to RVs. The rates are $30 per night for regular sites and $35 per night for a lakeside site. In my opinion, it’s worth the extra $5 to get views like this.
The campground also offers a beach as well as kayak and standup paddleboard rentals. Amenities are pretty standard and the hot showers are a plus! This campground is not run by the National Park Service. A link to their website can be found here https://www.whiskeytownmarinas.com/index.html
Lava Beds National Monument
In the extreme northeast corner of the state, just before hitting Oregon, an underground playground of ancient dried lava awaits. With just over 136,000 visitors most recently exploring the park within a year's time, you will not have to battle long lines, traffic, or much else during your stay. That's because it's no accident someone would stray this far off the beaten path of the main highway. If you made it to Lava Beds National Monument, it's because you want to be here. The area sits upon the Medicine Lake shield volcano and contains around 500 lava tubes. The high desert, thick with sagebrush, was once home to the Modoc Tribe before they were driven out in the later 1800s during the Modoc War. Today, remnants of their past remain and can still be seen within the park's boundaries.
How to Get There
This park is in the middle of nowhere. With a solid 2.5 to 3 hour drive northeast of Redding, you won't be near any "major" towns outside of Klamath Falls, OR (an hour north) which isn't exactly a sprawling metropolis either although it does have most amenities you'd need. So to get here, you must commit. I promise the uniqueness of Lava Beds is worth the long drive.
A pin to the visitor center can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/KRAYyJqiwU2KBUuTA
The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle for a 7 day pass and the America the Beautiful Pass is accepted here.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm
Things to Do
It's mostly about the caves here although there are several miles of hiking trails if you wish to enjoy the above ground scenery. Whether you plan to explore above or below ground, you'll get an amazing experience either way. The terrain has been well established after any volcanic activity so plant life is abundant. Aside from going cave to cave, I admit to not doing much above the ground during my visit so I don't have a lot of intel in regards to my favorite trails. I will say that most trails are short and sweet (no more than a mile) and will take you past several volcanic highlights. We did make a brief stop on our way out of the park to see a massive tube collapse on the Symbol Bridge Trail.
Caving
When it comes to caving, what is really cool and special about Lava Beds is that the general public is free to explore as many as 24 lava tubes on their own. There is no having to pay for a guided tour and then wait for a select time to go through with other people. Instead, after obtaining a free permit, visitors are able to go through any (currently open) cave they wish at their own pace. This is unique in caving because almost anywhere else you'll either need to go on a guided tour or will have to be a part of a caving grotto to gain access as those are all closed off to the general public for exploring on their own.
Please remember to practice caving safety which includes letting someone know where you're going, wear a helmet/gloves/heavier duty clothing, carry more than one source of light, and don't go alone. The National Park Service is also very adamant about white-nose syndrome protocol as it's important not to spread this to the bats.
Know your abilities and comfort levels. Some of these caves are very easy while others are considerably more challenging involving trekking over uneven rocks and crawling through relatively tight spaces. My wife and I explored 6 of the caves on our mini trip here and covered the full spectrum of difficulty levels.
Mushpot Cave
It really doesn't get any easier than this one. With the only cave having a paved pathway and internal lighting, it is perfect for all skill levels and abilities and will give you a sense of what these lava tubes are about. I'd still recommend bringing a headlamp in here for getting a better view in the darker spots.
Skull Cave
No ducking or crawling required here. The ceiling is impressive at up to 60ft tall. As you make your way into the back of the cave, you'll come upon some stairs that lead down to a small area that has year round ice.
Sunshine Cave
These next 2 caves are considered moderately difficult. Sunshine Cave features a couple small collapses which allow the sun in, hence the name. The ceiling is considerably lower in spots so duck walking or crawling is necessary. It features some cool lava formations along the walls and ceiling.
Indian Well Cave
You start out easy, but loose footing and very low ceilings are the norm as you get further into the cave. Despite its very short length, it's worth the effort.
Hercules Leg and Juniper Caves
These 2 caves are joined together where a collapse occurred and are considered some of the most difficult caves in the park. If both are done together, you'll be underground for over 4000ft in length. There are some slightly tighter spots in a few areas, but nothing scary. These really do make for a fun adventure. Knee protection is recommended if you have it.
Camping
The Indian Well Campground provides 43 sites within the park. These are smaller, non-electric sites best for tent camping and smaller campers and it does have flush toilets. These are first-come-first-serve and it's only $20 per night. I wouldn't call this campground really shaded, but there are some trees scattered about. We stayed here for a night and slept in the Subaru instead of a tent.
For those who don't want to camp, but still want to stay in the area, very few accommodations are around, however, a couple hotel/motel options exist. These are going to be no closer than roughly a 30 minute drive to the park. I have no experience with these so you'll want to do your own research.
Castle Crags State Park
Those with a sharp eye and who can peel their gaze away from the towering views of Mt. Shasta while driving northbound on I-5 will probably have their attention replaced by another natural beauty. The bright granite rocks of Castle Crags State Park command a deserving spotlight amongst the backdrop of endless pines that the Trinity National Forest provides. These huge spires draw both climbers and hikers alike in admiration.
How to Get There
At just under an hour north of Redding, CA, the entrance of the park is mere seconds off I-5 making it an extremely easy stop. The Pacific Crest Trail also runs through the park so those through or section hiking this segment will have the opportunity to enjoy the park.
The pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/GHhJY5Kt8toH8onq9
There is an entrance fee of $8 per vehicle.
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=454
Things to Do
Hiking, camping, climbing, and fishing are the main attractions here. I'll be focusing on both the campground and hiking since that's what I've experienced.
Hiking
Castle Crags State Park has enough trails to keep the avid hiker occupied for at least a few days if one prefers to really explore and enjoys lots of climbing or you can still get some great hiking in on the shorter hikes that don't necessarily include a lot of ascent. Whichever way you choose, there is a trail for all skills and ambition levels. Here are a couple of my picks.
Castle Dome via the Crags Trail
If you want to get up close and personal with the granite crags themselves, you must ascend to Castle Dome. There are a few different routes, but the "easiest" is along the Crags Trail which is a little over 5 miles round trip and nearly 2100ft of ascent. The average person would consider this quite challenging, even more so if you're coming from Florida or Kansas as you are ascending almost 2100ft in just over 2.5 miles. Take your time, respect that you are in the mountains and also be aware of approaching weather as you don't want to be caught in the open if a thunderstorm is brewing. An earlier start is always recommended.
The scenery will change from the heavily forested pines down low to the more open and expansive views as you arrive just below Castle Dome. It really is a fantastic adventure!
Indian Creek Nature Trail
At just a mile long and roughly 300ft of climbing, this is a much gentler stroll that is still worth the time. You'll get in some nice glimpses of Indian Creek and if you hike this in spring, the wildflowers are very pretty.
Vista Point Trail
If you are very short on time, unable to hike far, or just want some really cool views, the Vista Point Trail is perfect. At a half mile roundtrip and barely any elevation gain (50ish feet), you can marvel at the Castle Crags, Mt. Shasta, and the Gray Rocks all in one convenient spot. Complete with telescopes and picnic tables, it's a great spot for lunch!
The park has nearly 30 miles of trails within its boundaries. From the granite peaks to crystal clear mountain lakes, and the Sacramento River. Sadly, I didn't explore as much as I would have liked to outside of the above trails, but maybe one day I'll be back...
Camping
If you're looking for a quiet campground, this might just be the one. While traffic noise can be heard from the highway, people wise, it’s not bad. With only 76 first-come-first-serve sites, you won't encounter many people. We camped here one night in April and nearly had the entire place to ourselves. It's nothing special, but the amenities are clean and the sites are well shaded.
Shasta State Historic Park
You'll drive right through the smallest park on the list if you're making your way to Whiskeytown from Redding via CA-299. It's not very large so if you blink, you might miss it. These are the ruins of yet another Gold Rush town, Shasta City. There are very few buildings that remain in this ghost town and it doesn't appear to have been much, but at one point in the mid 1800s, it was home to a few thousand people.
How to Get There
It's approximately 15 minutes off I-5 if you get off in Redding and take CA-299 northwest towards Whiskeytown. The park sits in the middle of the tiny community of Shasta, CA and there are free parking spaces along the road. A pin can be found here https://maps.app.goo.gl/aXHY9NDz3mUV5Sa6A
Admission is free!
Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=456
Things to Do
Honestly this place is a blip on the map and unless you are really into exploring the nooks and crannies you only need about an hour to hour and a half. There is a museum in the restored courthouse which is open from 10a to 4p, Thursday through Sunday. This was closed when we made our stop. It is supposed to have a nice collection of artifacts to check out which I'm sure is interesting if it's open and you have the time.
The old brick buildings, some partially restored, paint a picture of the past. Informative signs explain what is in front of you and from there, try to imagine what life would have been like along this street during the gold fever age.
Conclusion
The very upper reaches of California hold a plethora of scenic landscapes and a glimpse of an almost forgotten world of days gone by. There are many stops, some I've visited, and even more that I haven't. A quick glimpse at Google Maps will show just how much is up here. Many people fail to take the time to give northern California a chance, even if it's right off the main highway. If you're ever in the area, I encourage you to check out one or more of these locations and even find a couple more to add to your list. The crowds are lower and the pace is slower so what are you waiting for?
As always, B.E. Adventurous!