Siskiyou County, California
Siskiyou County, California, is a must-visit for outdoor adventures. Among the top attractions is Mount Shasta, an impressive volcanic peak offering a challenging climb. Hikers will appreciate the Pacific Crest Trail, a scenic path that winds through diverse landscapes, from dense forests to open meadows. Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck in the Klamath River, known for its abundance of salmon and steelhead. The Castle Crags State Park, with its unique rock formations, is another highlight. For a more relaxed activity, consider a boat trip on Lake Siskiyou, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The best trails and outdoor activities in Siskiyou County provide a mix of challenge and relaxation, making it a top destination for those who enjoy being active in nature.
Top Spots in and near Siskiyou County
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Ashland, Oregon
Hike and Climb Pilot Rock
8 mi / 1000 ft gainPilot Rock is one of the most prominent features in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and is visible from over 40 miles away in the Shasta Valley of northern California and the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon.Similar to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, though much smaller in stature, Pilot Rock is ...Read more -
Ashland, Oregon
Summit Mt. Ashland
5.05 mi / 1550 ft gainSituated in Southern Oregon right near the California border lies the Siskiyou Mountain Range's tallest peak, Mount Ashland. Mount Ashland is a very popular area for many recreational activities, one of the most popular activities is skiing. The ski area was opened up in 1963 and has changed hand...Read more -
Ashland, Oregon
Hike to Hobart Bluff
2.5 mi / 200 ft gainHobart Bluff is part of the Western Cascades, a range of weathered volcanic mountains that are much older than the High Cascades that most people think of today, the range of Shasta, Rainier, and Hood. These mountains are shorter as a result of the work of time and usually have summits wrapped in...Read more -
Siskiyou County, California
Climb Mt. Shasta via the Hotlum-Bolam Ridge
10 mi / 7200 ft gainThe Hotlum-Bolam route follows the ridge between the Hotlum and Bolam Glaciers on Shasta's north side. It's an intermediate route that isn't much more technical than the south side routes, except for icy sections and possible late-season open crevasses. For this reason it's a popular alternative ...Read more -
Pacific Crest Trail, California
Hike or Backpack the Dead Falls Lake Trail
5.08.1 mi / 1358 ft gainThe Dead Falls Lake Trail is perfect for families, dog, and all adventurers. In the spring and summer, there are gorgeous and abundant wildflowers. There is a perfect lunch spot at Deadfall Lake. Close to the gargantuan Shasta, Mount Eddy is the highest peak in the Klamath Mountain. Mount Eddy o...Read more -
Mount Shasta, California
Black Butte
5.05 mi / 1608 ft gainBlack Butte is hard to miss from I-5 as it winds past the city of Mount Shasta. This lava dome formed roughly 9,000–10,000 years ago and isn't a cinder cone, though it does look like one. The rock that makes Black Butte was extruded instead of spewed, then broke apart as it cooled. The jumbled re...Read more -
Mount Shasta, California
Winter Summit Black Butte
5 mi / 2000 ft gainNote: February thru early March are great times to climb it for a winter ascent without snowshoes. If there is no snow seen from the south (e.g. on I-5 heading north to Mount Shasta City), don't be too worried. As long as there is snow on the surrounding peaks (e.g. Trinity Alps) around the same ...Read more -
Gazelle, California
Hike the Fen Trail at Kangaroo Lake
The Fen Trail around Kangaroo Lake is a beautiful secluded camping and hiking area in the Klamath Forest of Northern California. It connects to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), where you can hike up through Oregon and Washington to Canada, or south through to Yosemite.The trailhead starts at the Ka...Read more -
Fort Jones, California
Sky High Lakes in the Marble Mountains
5.011.88 mi / 2070 ft gainThe Marble Mountains are part of the Klamaths, a biologically and geologically diverse range of peaks and ridges often overshadowed by its western neighbors in the Cascades. The Marble Rim is the signature feature of this subrange, a white wall of rock that glimmers in the sun. The nearby Sky Hig...Read more -
Etna, California
Hike to the Etna Mountain Summit
6 mi / 800 ft gainTo start off, you're going to want to navigate to the Etna Summit Trailhead (5956 ft). There's a small parking lot off to the side and we did not need any passes for our overnight trip. Since the summit isn't the main destination for many people in this area, you'll want to follow the Pacific Cre...Read more -
Siskiyou County, California
Climb Mt. Shasta via Avalanche Gulch
5.011 mi / 7200 ft gainThe Avalanche Gulch route is the second easiest, non-technical route to the summit of Mt. Shasta after the Clear Creek Route, but is by far the most popular. Many people complete this climb in one day from the trailhead, but you also have the opportunity to overnight at Horse Camp (7,950 ft.) or ...Read more -
McCloud, California
Hike Gray Butte
Mount Shasta is an incredible mountain in Northern California that offers a great variety of activities. The Gray Butte trail is one of the more beautiful trails in the area, and it's not too long (2.8mi, ~2h). We arrived at Shasta by late afternoon, so it was a great hike to do when golden hour ...Read more -
McCloud, California
Camp at Panther Meadows
5.0The Panther Meadows Campground is located in the timberline on Mt. Shasta. The free campsite has 10 sites with a fire ring and a table. The elevation of the campground is 7,500 ft, making it the highest campground on Mt. Shasta. Summer nights can get pretty cold, so make sure to bring proper atti...Read more -
McCloud, California
Mt. Shasta via Clear Creek Route
11.43 mi / 7615 ft gainThe least technical route to the summit of Mt Shasta begins at the Clear Creek Trailhead (elevation 6390 ft). Please note that although this is a less technical route, this is still dangerous and there have been deaths on Mt. Shasta because of falling rock. To start this, you should be a good hik...Read more -
Dunsmuir, California
Hike to Heart Lake in the Klamath Mountains
4.52.2 mi / 600 ft gainScenes like this are rarely so accessible. Heart Lake is nestled in a bowl below Castle Peak, on the edge of the Castle Crags Wilderness just west of I-5 and the city of Mt. Shasta. The parking lot and trailhead are both located on the shore of Castle Lake, a much larger lake that is stunning in ...Read more -
Dunsmuir, California
Heart Lake Trail From Castle Lake
5.02.46 mi / 719 ft gainHeart Lake Trail From Castle Lake is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Dunsmuir, California.Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County, California
Sarah Totten Campground
Overview
Sarah Totten Campground is located next to the Klamath Wild and Scenic River, about 33 miles east of the town of Happy Camp. The...
Siskiyou County, California
Tree Of Heaven Campground
Overview
Tree of Heaven Campground is situated next to the Klamath Wild and Scenic River, making it popular with whitewater boaters and a...
Fort Jones, California
Indian Scotty Group Site
Overview
Indian Scotty Group Site is located next to the Wild and Scenic Scott River in Klamath National Forest. Visitors enjoy swimming,...
Ashland, Oregon
Hyatt Lake Recreation Area
Overview
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains in the northern corner of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, the 745-acre Hyatt Lake Recre...
Jacksonville, Oregon
Hart Tish Park At Applegate Lake
Overview
Located in southwest Oregon in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Hart-Tish Park is surrounded by a variety of landscapes...
