O'Brien, California

The best trails and outdoor activities in O'Brien, California offer a variety of scenic adventures. One of the top attractions is the Boulder Creek Falls trail. This 5.5-mile hike is moderately difficult with a stunning waterfall as the payoff. The trail winds through lush forest, past unique rock formations, and along the banks of Boulder Creek. Another must-visit is the Bailey Cove Trail. This easy 3.1-mile loop is ideal for bird watching and offers views of Shasta Lake. For those interested in fishing, the nearby Sacramento River is a top spot for rainbow trout. O'Brien also offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking. Whether you're a hiker, angler, or just someone seeking outdoor adventures, O'Brien, California has something for you.

Top Spots in and near O'Brien

Redding, California
Houseboat Lake Shasta

1 mi / 1 ft gain

Lake Shasta sits at the foot of infamous Mt Shasta, past the major Northern California city of Redding. From the Bay Area you can count on at least a 3.5 hour drive to get to waters edge, but the drive goes by quickly just cruising on HWY 5. There are multiple Marinas on Shasta but the largest is...
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Redding, California
Camp at Shasta Campground

Shasta Campground offers 27 tent/trailer campsites, picnic tables, paved loop road, vault toilets, OHV staging area, potable water, and fire rings. To get to the campground head along Keswick Reservoir, below Shasta Dam. Take I-5 north from Redding about 10 miles to Shasta Dam Blvd. Follow Shas...
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Redding, California
Hilltop Trail Head to Sundial Bridge

4.0

2.27 mi / 167 ft gain

Hilltop Trail Head to Sundial Bridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Redding, California.
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Redding, California
Arboretum Loop Trail

3.5

2.07 mi / 43 ft gain

Arboretum Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Redding, California.
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Round Mountain, California
Explore Potem Falls

3.7

0.5 mi

Park in the pull-out on Fenders Ferry Road. There you will find the Potem Falls trailhead. The hike is only 0.5 miles long--you'll likely spend more time enjoying the falls than getting there! Bring your swim gear if you want to jump in the pool. Trail is dog friendly and open March-October.
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Shasta County, California
Hike Kanaka Peak

4.5

3.5 mi / 1100 ft gain

Head to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to pa...
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Shasta County, California
Hike to the top of South Fork Mountain

5 mi / 4181 ft gain

Starting from the Kanaka Peak Trailhead, follow the Kanaka Peak Trail all the way, continuing on past the Peltier Trail Junction and the Kanaka Cutoff Trail Junction until the trail begins to head east (about 2-2.5 miles from the trailhead) and there is a gently sloping hill on your right that is...
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Igo, California
Hike to Brandy Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

5.0

3 mi / 500 ft gain

My favorite hike in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. From the visitor center you will take Kennedy Memorial Drive towards the dam, make a left at Brandy Creek Road. At a junction for Sheep camp/Shasta Bally make a left. You will arrive at the trailhead. This hike follows a beautiful stream t...
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French Gulch, California
Hike to Crystal Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

0.6 mi

From Redding pass the visitor center on highway 299 and pass the lake. Make a left turn on to Crystal Creek Road. Follow this road for about 2 miles. There will be signs to make a left turn to Crystal Creek Falls. This is less of a hike and more of a walk. The trail is paved. It is less than a ha...
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French Gulch, California
Hike to Whiskeytown Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

2.8 mi / 787 ft gain

Coming from Redding pass the visitor center and heading down highway 299. Make a left turn on Crystal Creek Road. Drive about 3.75 miles and on your left will be the Mills Creek Trailhead. Start hiking. You will start headed downhill towards the creek. You will cross Crystal Creek on a footbridge...
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Montgomery Creek, California
Hatchet Falls (Lion Slide)

2.5

About 45 min outside of Redding, California is this breathtaking waterfall, with being a relatively short hike makes it fun for all ages. The hike takes about 5 minutes from the road. Finding Hatchet Falls (aka Lion Slide) from the road are another story, with these falls not being marked anywher...
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Trinity Center, California
Camp at Hayward Flat on Trinity Lake

We drove all around Trinity Lake and this was the best campground we found! Located right on Trinity Lake you will find Hayward Flat Campground. From Weaverville California you will follow highway 3 north about 20 miles. Then take a right on Hayward Flat road two miles. Boom, you are there. The...
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Castella, California
Hike Crags Trail to Castle Dome

4.4

5.1 mi / 2135 ft gain

One of the gems in the Shasta area, Castle Crags. You can spot these dramatic granite towers from a distance and their jagged formations beckon climbers and hikers alike. Imagine a slice of the Dolomites plucked out of Italy and placed in Northern California. Crags Trail to Castle Dome winds up t...
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Trinity Center, California
Backpack Stony Ridge in the Trinity Alps

16.5 mi / 4500 ft gain

The Trinity Alps has miles and miles of beautiful trails, but one of the more stunning sections is the Four Lakes Loop. There are two main trail heads that access the trail. Long Canyon Trail and Stony Ridge Trail both are both beautiful but Stony Ridge is the more popular route yet strenuous. To...
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Trinity Center, California
Backpack to Bear Basin and The Four Lakes Loop

30.1 mi

Day 1 Swift Creek Trail Head to Bear BasinThe trip begins at the Swift Creek trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Permits are very easy to get, just stop by the Ranger station in Weaverville, CA. They are free and can be self-issued in front of the ranger station, or you can go in if you wou...
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Dunsmuir, California
Mossbrae Falls

5.0

3.01 mi

Disclaimer: Hiking to the falls is trespassing. Fines can be as much as $300. If you choose to hike to the falls, you're doing so at your own risk so please be cautious and cognizant of your surroundings. If you live anywhere near Northern California or Southern Oregon, you may have heard about ...
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