This summer, explore some of California’s most spectacular waterfalls on a breathtaking 221-mile road trip through Northern California. Beginning in Redding and culminating at the stunning Deer Creek Falls, this two-to-four-day journey showcases everything from dramatic cascades to thundering cataracts. With nine captivating stops along the way, it’s the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable summer adventure immersed in nature’s raw beauty.
Stop 1: Redding: Redding, Northern California’s biggest town, offers much more than a quick stop off Interstate 5, including lively culture, world-class kayaking, and the only bridge in the world that functions as a sundial. Redding’s 217-foot-high Sundial Bridge, open to hikers and bikers (but not cars), was designed to minimise impacts to the Sacramento River’s salmon-spawning habitat. This city cares about its waterways and strives to protect their clarity, both for wildlife and the kayakers who take to the local rivers and lakes. Apart from kayaking, you can also rent bikes and pedal 10 miles on the Sacramento River Trail. More experiences await with spending the night or saddling up for the day at Wild Horse Sanctuary and learning about nature’s wonders at Turtle Bay Exploration Park and McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. And of course, it’s only an hour’s drive to Northern California’s two spectacular volcanoes, Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen. To find out about more things to do in the area, talk to the locals who staff the California Welcome Center – Anderson, located just 12 miles south of Redding.
Stop 2: Dunsmuir & Hedge Creek Falls: Nestled among the pines of the Upper Sacramento River Canyon, Dunsmuir is a peaceful alpine escape steeped in railroad heritage. About 50 miles north of Redding, this town offers some of California’s best fly-fishing and a big dose of Western railroad history in its historic downtown and a surprisingly vibrant food scene. Don’t miss the legendary sticky buns with bourbon caramel sauce and over-the-top burgers (both veggie and beef) at Yaks on the 5. A short walk leads to Hedge Creek Falls, where water spills over a basalt cliff, concealing a 12-foot-high cave behind its curtain.
Stop 3: Mt. Shasta City & Faery Falls: The majestic Mt. Shasta dominates the Northern California landscape, its volcanic cone capped with glistening ice and snow long into summer. At 14,179 feet high, the mountain is the largest stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. It presides over the town that shares its name, Mt. Shasta City, a charming mountain village with lots to see and do. Choose from breakfast and lattes at Seven Suns Café or lunch under the patio umbrellas at Lily’s. Snap a few selfies on the single-arch suspension bridge on the Lake Siskiyou Trail. Take a walk on the Ney Springs Canyon Trail, which travels to the ruins of an 1880s resort and 42-foot-high Faery Falls, a misty wonder during its peak springtime flow. Drive up the slopes of Mt. Shasta on the Everitt Memorial Highway to watch (or join) the mountaineers setting off to climb Mount Shasta.
Stop 4: McCloud & McCloud Falls: Once a lumber town, McCloud has reinvented itself while keeping close to its heritage. The 1897 McCloud Mercantile, built as the company store, now houses a hotel, two restaurants, and a mercantile, selling kitchen gifts, old-timey candy, and apothecary goods. At the yellow-and-white McCloud Hotel, the original 1916 registration desk still welcomes guests to its 16 sumptuous rooms. Nature lovers have plenty of options: Hike or bike the Great Shasta Rail Trail, an 80-mile trail that travels from McCloud to Burney. Visit a triumvirate of waterfalls on the McCloud River. Middle McCloud Falls steals the show with its commanding 50-foot wall of water, and Lower McCloud Falls’ deep pool is best for swimming, but it is recommended to explore them all by hiking a 3.5-mile connecting trail or driving the McCloud River Loop.
Stop 5: Floyd’s Frosty: Refuel with a classic burger and shake at Floyd’s Frosty, located in the upscale logging town of McCloud.
Stop 6: McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park: Sixty miles northeast of Redding, Burney Falls plunges 129 feet in a spectacular, fern-framed curtain of water. So impressive that President Theodore Roosevelt called it “the eighth wonder of the world,” the falls dazzle with mist, rainbows, and crystalline waters that remain a brisk 42 degrees year-round. Trails lead to the base pool and along Burney Creek, a popular catch-and-release fly-fishing spot.
Stop 7: Lassen Volcanic National Park: Your next stop is Steaming Lassen Volcanic National Park to witness nature at its best with sulphur vents, splattering mud pots, and boiling springs. Start at the outstanding Kohm Ya-mah-nee Visitor Center, then head out to explore some of the park’s remarkable and safely accessible features, such as the geothermal site Bumpass Hell, which opens seasonally. An easy, well-marked three-mile round-trip trail winds past roaring fumaroles and hissing steam vents, offering a close-up encounter with the area’s geothermal activities. Along the way, a short spur trail leads to a stunning panorama of peaks, which are the remnants of a massive volcano called Mount Tehama, which exploded roughly 500,000 years ago. The park’s signature volcano, Lassen Peak, last blew its top in May 1914. Today, things have settled down, and trails and overlooks let you safely see and learn about volcanic activity. In the park’s southern reaches, you’ll find two easy to reach waterfalls: 50-foot-high Kings Creek Falls is accessed by a downhill tromp through a verdant meadow, then a descent on a rocky staircase alongside Kings Creek. Mill Creek Falls plunges 75 feet over a moss-covered cliff; to reach it, hike 1.5 miles from the Southwest Campground.
Stop 8: Highlands Ranch Resort: Swing by Highlands Ranch Resort, just 10 miles south of Lassen Park, relax by the fireplace with a ginger lemon martini and spend the night in a rustic-chic cabin.
Stop 9: Deer Creek Falls: If you’re not into camping, a warm bed and a hot meal are crucial after a day of exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park. Nearby, the tiny enclave of Mineral (population less than 200), located only eight miles from the park’s southwest entrance, is home to Lassen Mineral Lodge, offering clean, no-frills rooms, plus hearty burgers and fresh-caught trout. More luxurious accommodations can be found at the rustic-chic Highland Ranch Resort on Childs Meadow in nearby Mill Creek. Wherever you sleep, plan a quick trip to Deer Creek Falls in the morning. This short, snowmelt-fed waterfall drops into a punchbowl swimming hole.
From historic towns and volcanic landscapes to fern draped cataracts and hidden swimming holes, this Northern California road trip delivers a rich blend of natural wonder and small-town charm at every turn.
