The 28 miles of trails make Castle Crags State Park a practical starting point for exploring on foot. The park lies in Shasta and Siskiyou counties, six miles south of Dunsmuir. The Pacific Crest Trail also runs through the park. The Sacramento River offers several access points for fishing and hiking—nature experiences that let you connect with the area in different ways.
Trails, Rivers, and Volcanic Landscapes
Another notable landmark along the Pacific Crest Trail is Etna Summit: there, the trail crosses County Road 1C01 at an elevation of 5,960 feet and continues north into the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Together with the trails at Castle Crags, these details provide bearings for two named sections of the trail, without combining them into a single hike.
A rugged volcanic landscape defines Lava Beds National Monument. It formed over the past half-million years through eruptions at the Medicine Lake shield volcano and includes a variety of volcanic features. Visitors can explore lava tubes. Before entering caves, please visit the visitor center. The Symbol Bridge Trail offers a different perspective on the area’s history: it leads to striking pictographs at the bridge.
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge also offers nature experiences with different focuses. During the spring and fall migrations, it is an important resting area for migrating waterfowl. Trails in the refuge are designated for hikers, paddlers, and vehicles. Shasta Valley Wildlife Area, meanwhile, covers about 4,700 acres of Great Basin-type juniper woodland, riparian woodland, seasonal wetlands, and agricultural land. Trout Lake and Bass Lake offer opportunities to fish for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Check current regulations before fishing.
One route to Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge follows Interstate 5 to Weed, then Highway 97 northeast. Check road conditions before setting out.
Museums and Built History
Siskiyou County Museum adds regional history to the landscape experiences: its 2.5-acre outdoor museum features machinery, early transportation vehicles, and historic and reconstructed buildings. Fort Jones Museum focuses on artifacts relating to the lives of local Indigenous groups, trappers, miners, pioneers, and soldiers. Examples include Shasta baskets and historical documents.
In Yreka, the Historic Homes Walking Tour features more than 70 homes built before the turn of the century. This gives the tour a different focus from the museums’ collections: here, historic homes are the subject of a walk. McCloud Heritage Junction Museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Memorial Day weekend; outside the season, visits are available by prior arrangement. Check the hours before you set out.
Seasonal Experiences and Greenways
There are other specific options for activities on ice and snow. Mount Shasta Ice Rink is an NHL-regulation-size outdoor rink, 85 feet wide and 200 feet long; it is the only outdoor ice rink of this size in California. Its seasonal operating schedule may vary, so it is a good idea to check the hours before visiting. Mt. Shasta Ski Park has two terrain parks: Revolution and Silvertip. Mt. Shasta Nordic has a 2.5-kilometer snowshoe trail and snowshoe rentals.
There are also options for more relaxed explorations on foot or by bike. Yreka Creek Greenway offers a riverside path for walking and cycling. At Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens, walking paths wind through the park, where you can see native and introduced plants. Conditions may vary. Seasonal local produce and crafts are the focus of Etna Farmers Market, where farmers and producers offer fresh, organically grown products as well as handmade goods.
Discover more destinations: Yreka, Mount Shasta, Weed, Dorris, Dunsmuir, Happy Camp, McCloud, San Benito.
For the main travel overview: California.
