Grandkids had an amazing time feeding the fish and experiencing the museum next door.read more

How awesome is this spot!!! There are probably thousands upon thousands of different kind of fish…read morehere and they were all happy to see us... They did have free "Trout Chow" available for you to enjoy feeding the little guys... My kids really enjoyed this place. We will definitely be coming back to visit soon!!

If you're driving through Northern California and skip Burney Falls, you'll regret it -- read this…read morebefore you pass it. Some places stop you in your tracks. Burney Falls is one of them. We pulled in on a cloudy afternoon, paid the $10 day-use fee (heads up -- America the Beautiful Pass is not accepted here), and honestly, I wasn't fully prepared for what was waiting at the end of that short walk. It's maybe 10 steps down to the base of the falls -- gentle enough that we attempted it with a stroller. Is it stroller-friendly? Almost. I'd say stroller-possible if you're determined, but bring your patience and your arms. The clouds kept rolling in, softening the light over the forest, and I remember standing there thinking -- even like this, even on a grey day, this place is extraordinary. The waterfall doesn't roar at you. It cascades, wide and ancient and constant, like it's been doing this forever and doesn't need your approval. Water pours from every direction -- from the rocks, from the moss, from the walls -- and the sound wraps around you completely. I added photos, but they don't capture it. Nothing will. The trees surrounding the falls are cathedral-tall, the air smells like cold water and pine, and for a few minutes the whole world got quiet. On a clear sunny day? I think I would have cried. Even on a cloudy one -- I almost did. Go. Just go.

This is my second trip to McArthur Burney Falls. Easy access and available parking today, 09.17.25…read moredue to it being the end of season/fall. $10 entrance fee, accept cash or credit cards. I actually received a $1 back as in a senior. I dislike that dog access is limited to parking lot, and observation area. Not allowed on stairs leading down to base of falls, on trails, posted properly. I understand people don't clean up after their pets plus you never know how dogs will interact. Their park, their rules. I love the rule that doesn't allow you to leave your dog(s) in the car, kudos. I think these dog rules apply to all California State Parks. Beautiful falls, great fall weather, friendly rangers.

I tried to find a listing for the actual Castle Lake but instead just found the campground. To be…read moreclear, the campground is a short distance prior to the actual lake which has its own parking lot and trailheads. Once parked at the lake, you can embark on the moderate trail to Heart Lake. Approaching the lake, the trail is to the left of it and climbs along the lake shore with intermittent views. As you take a gradual but steady climb up, you will start to see views open up and eventually see Mt Shasta itself. Most hikers stop at Heart Lake which is a scenic spot with granite on one side and on the outlet side of the lake for Shasta views. If you're wanting a little bit of a longer hike, when facing the lake, make a right and log hop across its outlet and follow a faint but obvious trail to a rocky outcropping. There you will reach an amazing vista of Castle Lake and Mt Shasta. It's a great spot to have your lunch and take some amazing photos. Take care on the way down as there are some steep drop offs and slippery rocks. Most of the trail is exposed, so I'd go earlier in the day in the warm months. Depending on how far you go, it's 3-4 miles out and back. Wonderful way to have amazing mountain scenery in a short hike. Free parking at the lake and pit toilets (not the best, not the worst I've seen.)

This review is for Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake which was a ~3 miles round trip that took ~2…read morehour to complete. One of the must do hikes near Dunsmuir. Trail was a steady incline for the most part and becomes very steep near the end. Furthermore, trail transitions from a wooded area to a rocky and exposed terrain. Stunning views of the nearby mountains and lakes at higher elevation! Heart Lake was actually referring to a small lake at the top. At the end of the hike, you get a heart shaped view of Castle Lake! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/Xc34KEsV1TE By the way, the address on Yelp is incorrect. Use AllTrails or Google.

Our last visit was in March 2019. Hubby planned this weekend trip for us and to celebrate my…read morebirthday. I don't like surprises, but was over joyed to getaway for the weekend. Our kids were bummed when I told them it was just us. I felt guilty seeing their pouting faces, so our reservation for two became one for four. Burney falls was so mesmerizing, I'm glad we brought our kids. I love waterfalls and being outside in the warm Summer months hiking or camping. We lucked out and were there right before the area was shut down for the fires nearby. We were pleasantly surprised that there were cabins and hookups for RVs right there in the park. We totally could have brought our RV instead of staying in town. It's a small town and if you have never visited a small town with any stop lights, you wouldn't understand where I'm going with this analogy. Lol! Iykyk! We had a great time and do look forward to making our way back to do some more hiking and camping. This park is a must see and a family friendly hike to get to the falls! Fun fact: Burney Falls is never dry, 100 million gallons flow daily, so no matter what time of year you visit there will be flow.

Big shout out to Alan for making our stay perfect. This quaint property has all the makings of a…read morefun family resort. Unfortunately this week was in the middle of a 100+ degree heatwave so hanging out wasn't in the cards. We were inside with the AC on or on the Lake. Alan stopped by several times to make sure everything was perfect for us and our dogs. We felt so welcomed. He hauled our trash, provided firewood, and gave us directions to a cool beach spot on Lake Briton. Regardless of the heat, the amenities were exactly what we were looking for! Full hookups, clean, peace & quiet, friendly neighbors, etc. Our shady spot was perfect for our dogs that we had fenced in around our trailer. If Burney Falls is on your bucket list, this is the place to bring your RV!

Our first road trip through California renting an RV and after a night in Yosemite, we found this…read morewonderful gem in Redding, CA. The grounds are clean, there is a great fenced in dog park, laundry, showers, free coffee in the am and the price was affordable! We loved it here! Nancy & Jen were absolutely wonderful! Nancy recommended we go see the waterfalls nearby. Unfortunately, we had a medical emergency and were not able to do it, but if we make our way back up to Shasta Lakes, we will take Nancy's suggestion and do it! Thank you, ladies, for your hospitality and kindness. Vicki, Larry and Luna :)

The web site isn't correct. No coffee bar or clubhouse. Amenities are a joke. The park…read moreIs run down and isn't worth money Can't make online reservations either. Wi-Fi is a joke as well

Love hat creek Hereford ranch campground!! It's easily my favorite place to stay when I come to hat…read morecreek! The camp hosts are so polite and it's just really a piece of heaven! Thank you for existing

Amazing host! Marty helped us when we locked ourselves out of our camper.He found a locksmith for…read moreus and even offered my husband a warm coat. We will definitely return next year. Overall this is a great campground.

Fowler's Campground was actually our first choice for our stay in the Shasta area because of the…read moreproximity to the McCloud River and Falls, but unfortunately all of their reservable and walk in sites were taken, so we drove about 6 miles away to test our luck at Cattle Camp instead. Luckily, we snagged the last remaining first-come-first-serve site (#27). Similar to other campgrounds, you pay at the front by putting your cash in the little envelopes. It's $15/ night here. The site has a picnic bench and a bear box as well as a fire pit. The site was pretty spacious and fairly clean. I also like that the sites aren't super close together so you feel like you have some breathing space from your neighbors. The potable water faucet was also a short walk away (next to the toilets). My only gripe is that the vault toilets weren't cleaned out daily. We stayed here for 3 days/2 nights and they weren't cleaned out at all. I'm assuming they probably empty them and replenish the toilet paper about once a week. Overall, not my favorite campsite of all time, but this is a good alternative if you can't find anything at Fowler's Campground. 3.75

I wanted a campground that was close to McCloud Falls and Mt. Shasta, plus Burney Falls on the…read moreVolcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, C-89. Site #12 was beside the road, and there was some truck noise at night, but being closest to the byway, I was first to see a deer walk through camp at dusk. I put up my azul Ozark Trail tent with the Aerobed queen-size air mattress and made my home for the next few nights. Even though the campground was full, it was quiet, and I felt weird about plugging in my phone with my engine on for a few hours, but I needed have power for the hikes in the morning. Instead of staking the fly open, I staked one in the middle giving me a front door and holding down the tarp in case of wind or rain. If it rains, water will puddle, so look for a convex footprint with your head uphill. Never forget the importance of coverage, even if you don't think it is going to rain. Although water is one of the 10 ways to find magic on the trail, water on dry blankets can drench your sweet dreams. Two nights of chill became a little more rowdy by the weekend and the center campsite became an out-of-school reunion on bikes, scooters and wilderness walks. I love camping during the summer and if you don't like families, I don't recommend you camp in popular areas. When the rain started, it was dinner time and most of the families had retreated to campers, so all I could hear was the pounding droplets on my tent. After a full day of hiking, I was tired and screwed together the JetBoil and gas I picked up from REI for this trip. In less than 5 minutes I was slurping Cup of Noodles, which kept me warm even without the fire. Before it got dark, I escaped away to the secret water hole named for the camp I was staying. With no one else around, I took a breath and looked for the light. It started to sprinkle, and I found myself star-struck by the beauty I could create in my life on my own. C-89 Waterfall Loop is 1 of the 8 trips of magic in northern California and Cattle Camp is a dream campground along the way.

What a gorgeous place to spend time relaxing with an incredible view of Shasta. We were able to…read morefind parking at one of the public access lots, which is free, and then took a short wander down to the lakeshore to take in the majestic beauty. Highly recommend pulling off the interstate for a rest stop here to stretch your legs and breathe in the crisp air!

I stopped by Lake Siskiyou twice during my recent trip to the Mt Shasta area. Once was to sit by…read morethe water and relax, following a long hike earlier in the day and have lunch at the nearby resorts bar & grill (separate review for that.) The second visit was to hike the trail along the lake. For the beach time, it was a week day and it too crowded. I was able to snag a bench near the resort's public beach and enjoy the iconic views of Mt Shasta. As for the lakeside trail, it goes all the way around and is approximately 7 miles. I was short on time, so did a 3 mile out and back. Along the way, there are forested paths, Mt Shasta views and meadows to enjoy. The trail wasn't well signed and I lost it at some points. Since I was only doing a small section of it, I just followed the lakeshore best I could on my out and back. Early morning, it was a peaceful place. I'd love to come back and see about kayaking the lake or doing the entire trail. Lovely spot and a nice way to unwind near Shasta

We love Water Falls in California on the quest of exploring all the beauties within. we found the…read moreMcCloud River in Redding, contains 3 beautiful water falls, although we missed the Burney Falls that's not too far away. One day we will try it. From the east bay, it's about 300 miles north, if we want to see the falls and the lake shasta caverns, we need to sleep over one night because it'd take 5-6 hr to drive. When we get to the McCloud River, there are actual roads to drive to 3 Falls, Lower, Middle and Upper Falls. Each from the parking lot only take a few minutes hike to see the Falls, although we didn't go to the bottom of the upper falls, but we could see some. The lower falls where many people swim, or like us, sit on the rocks to feel the water gushing through rocks very nice. The middle falls, we didn't really hike to the bottom of the falls but stayed where we could see the clear views of the falls. Where people also play with the water. Next time when we visit Burney Falls, we will hike to the bottom of all these falls. Love these falls, love California.

McCloud Falls should have its own Yelp page listing because this is like posting about Niagara…read moreFalls in a Niagara River page. McCloud and Burney Falls (an hour away) make the best one-two punch for waterfalls outside Yosemite. However, unlike Burney Falls, McCloud Falls has lots of free parking and no entrance fee because it is not a state park. Upper Falls is the least dramatic. An ADA-accessible trail leads to an observation deck about 90 feet above the falls. The fact that people were waiting efficiently in a line to take a photo was more exciting for me than the falls itself. Plus, it is a bit strange looking down on waterfalls. Stupid waterfalls. Anyhow, of the three locations Upper Falls offers a quieter environment, ideal for relaxation and reflection, especially if the water is still. Lower Falls was the most chaotic, with two lanes of parking lot traffic on a one-way road, and more kids sprawling the river for swimming. The area, stocked with trout, seemed the more picnic and day trippy of the falls, the best place to eat your lunch. Middle Falls is the money shot. The postcard. The one that has people posing for hours for the 'Gram. This is because it's 50 feet high and over 100 feet wide, creating a curtain of water over a basalt cliff into a pool below. McCloud Falls deserves its own Yelp page--lumping it in with a generic "McCloud River" listing is like posting Niagara Falls under the Niagara River. Come on now. Together, McCloud Falls and Burney Falls (just an hour apart) make the best one-two punch for waterfall chasers outside of Yosemite. But unlike Burney Falls, located in a state park that charges an entrance fee, McCloud Falls offers something rare and beautiful: lots of free parking and zero entrance fees. My favorite kind of waterfalls are free. Upper Falls is the least dramatic of the trio. A well-maintained ADA-accessible trail leads to an observation deck perched about 90 feet above the falls. Ironically, the orderly line of people waiting to snap a photo was more thrilling than the waterfall itself. Also, there's something a little odd about looking down on a waterfall. Stupid waterfalls. That said, Upper Falls is the most peaceful and serene, making it perfect for quiet moments of reflection--especially when the water is still. Lower Falls is the more chaotic of the trio, with two lanes of traffic trying to share a narrow one-way road, while kids are sprawled across the banks of a rushing, whitewater river. The area, stocked with trout, feels tailor-made for picnics and day trips--the kind of place where sandwiches taste better for no logical reason. Middle Falls is the showstopper. The money shot. The backdrop of annoying Instagram photo sessions. At 50 feet high and over 100 feet wide, it sends a dramatic curtain of water spilling over a basalt cliff into a pool below, with summer crowds climbing the shoreline boulders and wading into the 42 degree water just to ruin your pictures. I had to edit out so many people, they should call them McPhotoshop Falls.

I just got back from a second annual camping trip to Juniper Lake campground. You do need to bring…read moreyour own potable water, and there are only vault toilets. But if you can tolerate that, you will be rewarded with access to a delightful lake that has many wonderful hikes around it, beautiful trees, and amazing sunsets. There are sizeable bear boxes to store your food in, lots of room for a tent or three, fire rings, and picnic tables. Most sites have amazing shade and all are any easy walk to the lake, if not right on it. Note that the last 6-7 miles of road are gravel & rutted in places. Just allow extra time & be willing to drive very slowly at times. It's worth it! Try to make time to hike up to Crystal Lake. It's steep, but there are lots of shady places to rest on the way, and the lake is blissful for swimming in. There are about 18 campsites, most of which have great privacy and shade, and none of which are far from the comfort station. :) and at $12 a night, this campground is a jewel! Come early in the week (and day) to get the most selection. It can fill up, and only the group sites are reservable.