6 of the Best Local Northern California State Parks for kids

In March 2026, one of Moon’s newest travel guidebooks Best of California State Parks was released, which I co-authored with Jenna Blough. A native of Redding, I grew up camping, hiking and exploring with my family all over the North State. We loved hiking through the redwoods, camping on the cliffsides of Sue-meg State Park in Trinity, and feeling the mist on our faces at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, pulling our 1980s Coleman tent trailer behind us. No matter how you tackle exploring California parks, here are five noteworthy NorCal ones to take the family (within Shasta, Butte and Tehama counties).

California State Parks Resources for Kids

The California State Park system is always expanding its programming, recreational activities and even integrating more land into its fold to further conserve and celebrate its natural resources. Here are some ways kids can get involved:

• Becoming a Junior Ranger (ages 7-12): More than 100 California State Parks are stocked with Adventure Guides and staff available to share the park’s unique features with young ones through hikes, interpretive talks, games, art and more. Kids who complete an Adventure Guide earn a wooden badge, logbook and unique stamp.
• Doing your part to keep parks clean: The Litter Getter program encourages kids to bring a bag and pick up trash as they explore the area to help keep wildlife safe and the park pristine. Kids can log their finds onto the CSP Litter Getters website to unlock a special activity.
• California State Library Parks Pass: Many California public libraries have a State Library Parks Pass which you can borrow and take to one of its 200 parks within a certain amount of time. This is a great way to get introduced to a California State Park if you’re a California library patron.
• Fourth graders get in free: The CSP Adventure Pass gives public school fourth graders and their families free entry at 54 parks for a year. Sign up at reservecalifornia.com.

Castle Crags State Park, Castella Right off I-5, 49 miles north of Redding and 15 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta, this 3,728-acre park is a backcountry wonderland with lots of trees, hiking trails and a campground beneath the cluster of dramatic 6,000-ft gray cliffs. There are plenty of easy hikes that are fun for the entire family. My favorite is the short half-mile out-and-back Vista Point Overlook Trail where the pleasant stroll ends with sweeping views of Castle Crags, Mt. Shasta and Grays Rocks. Along with its 28 miles of hiking trails, Castle Crags also has 76 campsites and brushes up against the Sacramento River and the Pacific Crest Trail. Plus, the California State Park Adventure Pass is accepted here.

1. Castle Crags State Park, Castella

Right off I-5, 49 miles north of Redding and 15 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta, this 3,728-acre park is a backcountry wonderland with lots of trees, hiking trails and a campground beneath the cluster of dramatic 6,000-ft gray cliffs. There are plenty of easy hikes that are fun for the entire family. My favorite is the short half-mile out-and-back Vista Point Overlook Trail where the pleasant stroll ends with sweeping views of Castle Crags, Mt. Shasta and Grays Rocks. Along with its 28 miles of hiking trails, Castle Crags also has 76 campsites and brushes up against the Sacramento River and the Pacific Crest Trail. Plus, the California State Park Adventure Pass is accepted here.

William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, Red Bluff This small but mighty historic park in Red Bluff pays homage to early settler life alongside the Sacramento River. Its adobe homestead built in 1852 is still around. Tour the visitor center and blacksmith shop. Rest and enjoy a sack lunch in the picnic area. The California State Park Adventure Pass is accepted here and families can join a pollinator party in the springtime with a day full of crafts, costumes and a butterfly release or a StoryWalk where even the adults are bound to learn something new. William B. Ide Adobe even has a Holidays on the Homestead event, which is a throwback into the 19th century way of living with period costumes, live music, crafts and warm wassail.

2. William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park, Red Bluff

This small but mighty historic park in Red Bluff pays homage to early settler life alongside the Sacramento River. Its adobe homestead built in 1852 is still around. Tour the visitor center and blacksmith shop. Rest and enjoy a sack lunch in the picnic area. The California State Park Adventure Pass is accepted here and families can join a pollinator party in the springtime with a day full of crafts, costumes and a butterfly release or a StoryWalk where even the adults are bound to learn something new. William B. Ide Adobe even has a Holidays on the Homestead event, which is a throwback into the 19th century way of living with period costumes, live music, crafts and warm wassail.

Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, Chico The Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park just outside of Chico (six miles off West Sacramento Avenue) is popular for anglers hoping to hook salmon or steelhead. Its four day-use areas are rich with woodlands and riparian habitat, giving families the chance to see statue-like herons intently watching the water for fish action or river otters floating through, oblivious to any goals. Wildlife and bird-watching are big activities here, as well as canoeing, kayaking and floating downstream in inner tubes or rafts. There’s also a short, easy 0.7-mile loop trail perfect for small kids since butterflies, bugs and other pollinators are often seen fluttering about on this flat trail.

3. Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, Chico

The Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park just outside of Chico (six miles off West Sacramento Avenue) is popular for anglers hoping to hook salmon or steelhead. Its four day-use areas are rich with woodlands and riparian habitat, giving families the chance to see statue-like herons intently watching the water for fish action or river otters floating through, oblivious to any goals. Wildlife and bird-watching are big activities here, as well as canoeing, kayaking and floating downstream in inner tubes or rafts. There’s also a short, easy 0.7-mile loop trail perfect for small kids since butterflies, bugs and other pollinators are often seen fluttering about on this flat trail.

Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, Corning When the temperatures start getting in the hundreds in the summertime, then the Sacramento River offers much respite. The Woodson Bridge SRA on South Avenue connecting Corning to Highway 99 north of Chico is a 347.5-acre park open April 1-September 30. Its wide riverbank is perfect for hanging out with the family and oakshaded picnic areas nearby can accommodate large barbecues. It also has a campground and natural preserve within its vicinity.

4. Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, Corning

When the temperatures start getting in the hundreds in the summertime, then the Sacramento River offers much respite. The Woodson Bridge SRA on South Avenue connecting Corning to Highway 99 north of Chico is a 347.5-acre park open April 1-September 30. Its wide riverbank is perfect for hanging out with the family and oak-shaded picnic areas nearby can accommodate large barbecues. It also has a campground and natural preserve within its vicinity.

Shasta State Historic Park, Shasta While it’s possible to blink and miss this state park while driving through “Old Shasta” on the way to Whiskeytown Lake or heading to the coast, this park is worth stopping at to stretch your legs. Along with the Blumb Bakery, Litsch Store, ruins, and historic trails leading through this 22-acre park, the restored 1861 Shasta County Courthouse now serves as a museum and visitor center. I remember taking a field trip here in elementary school.

5. Shasta State Historic Park, Shasta

While it’s possible to blink and miss this state park while driving through “Old Shasta” on the way to Whiskeytown Lake or heading to the coast, this park is worth stopping at to stretch your legs. Along with the Blumb Bakery, Litsch Store, ruins, and historic trails leading through this 22-acre park, the restored 1861 Shasta County Courthouse now serves as a museum and visitor center. I remember taking a field trip here in elementary school.

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Called the eighth wonder of the world by naturalist and past president Theodore Roosevelt, the powerful 129-ft. flowing cascades are the focal point of this 910-acre park. The 1.1-mile Falls Loop Trail is its greatest attraction, but this state park is popular for fishing and swimming/boating activities at the nearby Lake Briton. Burney Falls also has two campground loops and cabins, which are great to post up at if you want to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of constant flowing water and see the dark skies. Burney Falls is 41 miles north of Lassen National Volcanic Park, which is another close Northern California gem full of natural wonders. To avoid the crowds, visit the falls Mon-Thurs. As of May 1, advanced reservations will be required Fri through Sun until the end of September, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Go to parks.ca.gov/post/102 for more info and the link to purchase passes.

6. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

Called the eighth wonder of the world by naturalist and past president Theodore Roosevelt, the powerful 129-ft. flowing cascades are the focal point of this 910-acre park. The 1.1-mile Falls Loop Trail is its greatest attraction, but this state park is popular for fishing and swimming/boating activities at the nearby Lake Briton. Burney Falls also has two campground loops and cabins, which are great to post up at if you want to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of constant flowing water and see the dark skies. Burney Falls is 41 miles north of Lassen National Volcanic Park, which is another close Northern California gem full of natural wonders.

To avoid the crowds, visit the falls Mon-Thurs. As of May 1, advanced reservations will be required Fri through Sun until the end of September, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Go to parks.ca.gov/post/102 for more info and the link to purchase passes.

Hiking Tips from CA State Parks

Walking and hiking on California’s state park trails is safe and healthy fun, if you follow a few tips:

Outdoor plan: Tell a responsible person back at camp or at home where you are going and when you plan on returning. Ask that person to notify local law enforcement if you do not return on time.

Hike with a buddy: Use the buddy system and hike with a friend or family member. Do not walk off-trail: Do not walk off-trail or enter closed areas.

Be courteous and observe trail etiquette: Communicate with others and step aside to yield, if possible, when others approach you on a trail. Alert those in front if you wish to pass.

Take plenty of drinking water: Drink and carry plenty of water (one quart for every two hours). Don’t drink stream, river and lake water. Most contain parasites that will make you very sick.

Shoes: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to help prevent injury.

Never feed or touch wildlife: Do not approach or attempt to move sick or injured wildlife. Please report any encounters with aggressive, sick or injured animals to park staff.

Wildlife lives in all state parks, even near urban areas: Although rare, black bears, mountain lions and rattlesnakes may be seen. Keep your distance, back away slowly and report.

Snakes: Always know where you are stepping. Be cautious when climbing rocks or picking up firewood. If you see a snake, maintain a distance of at least six feet. Most bites occur when people get too close or try to touch them.

Ticks: Tick populations can increase depending on the season. Take the following precautions to avoid them:

• Walk in the middle of trails.
• Use insect repellent.
• Tuck your pants into your socks.
• After taking off gear, check for hitchhiking ticks.
• Always do a “tick check” with a friend.

Poison oak: It is a common plant throughout much of California. Learn to identify its shiny, three-leaf pattern and avoid touching it. If you touch poison oak, wash immediately with water and mild soap.