When you’re in the mood for adventure close to home this summer, the North State has an abundance of options. Whether it’s on the land, under the land in the air or in the water, you can get some thrills right here. And, whenever you go adventuring in the outdoors, remember to Pack It In, Pack It Out to keep our wild country beautiful.
On The Land
Mountain Biking with Shasta Gravity Adventures.
Mountain Biking
Mt. Shasta’s Shasta Gravity Adventures offers tours on some of the most beautiful trails in the area. Tours are a half-day long and include a shuttle, bike check fundamental skills session and guided ride. The company also offers customized hiking tours and guided paddle board tours on Castle Lake.
shastagravityadventures.com
Camping
Minutes from Lassen Volcanic National Park, in the midst of a deep forest and along a pristine creek, Mill Creek Resort has been around for almost 100 years. With glamping, cabins, RV sites and campsites, you can choose your level of “roughing it” for a weekend or a week. 40271 Highway 172, in the small area called Mill Creek. millcreekresort.net
Mini golf
Putters at Funland Chico offers an exciting 18-hole course with lots of water features, mature landscaping and shade trees. While you’re there, try out the roller skating and batting cages. 2465 Carmichael Dr., Chico funlandchico.com
Oasis Fun Center in Lake Shasta has 36 holes of mini golf, plus laser tag, arcades, a go-cart speedway, 3D ride simulator and two escape room adventures. 3330 Cascade Blvd, Lake Shasta. oasisfuncenter.com
Spend the day at a lake
The Lake Siskiyou Trail Loop is an easy, seven-mile journey and summer is the only season when you can complete the full loop, strolling or biking across the Sacramento River delta. The trail is almost flat and beautifully maintained by the Mt. Shasta Trail Association, so all ages can enjoy it, although the delta area is rocky. Lots of spots to stop for a swim, a picnic and lovely views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Eddy. mountshastatrailassociation.org
Spelunking — exploring caves — is a surefire way to create lasting memories.
Under The Land
Cruise & Tour
The most famous caves in Northern California, Lake Shasta Caverns are often considered some of the most beautiful limestone caves in the country. A visit here includes a catamaran cruise across Shasta Lake, bus ride to the entrance and guided tour of the caverns. Dinner cruises are also available. You can buy tickets online or at the gift shop. Shasta Caverns Road, Lakehead lakeshastacaverns.com
Spelunk On Your Own
Lava Beds National Monument is home to more than 700 caves, all free to explore. Subway Cave is an easy lava tube to explore, at 1/3 mile long, with ample headroom and a rubble-free floor. The U.S. Forest Service has installed concrete stairs, a trail from the parking lot, and interpretive signs explaining the origins of the cave. This is the largest accessible tube in this flow, and temperatures remain at about 46F year-round. Be sure to take a light jacket and a flashlight because the cave is completely dark. Hwy 89/Hwy 44, Old Station, CA 96071 http://www.fs.usda.gov
River Dancers lead rafting trips on several North State rivers.
On The Water
River rafting
River Dancers is a fun, locally owned and operated company offering whitewater rafting trips on the Upper Sacramento, Klamath, Trinity, and Cal-Salmon Rivers. Hikes to spectacular waterfalls, wildlife, endless starry nights, stories and music around a campfire, watershed education and history, epic water battles, jumping off rocks, swimming rapids, kayaking – these are some of the things you might expect on a trip. Most trips are suitable for all ages and the food is delicious. The company is small enough to make guests feel like family, with the skills and experience to guide like the biggest. Groups of any size are welcome. 308 S. Mt. Shasta Blvd., Mt. Shasta. riverdancer.com
Row, sail, kayak and canoe
At Forebay Aquatic Center, swim in a beautiful outdoor setting, or rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, hydro bikes or pedal boats. Learn to row, sail, kayak or canoe and take a moonlight paddle tour. 930 Garden Dr., Oroville forebayaquaticcenter.com
Headwaters Adventure Co. in Redding offers kayak and paddle board rentals, classes and tours on beautiful Kutras Lake. They provide the kayak or board, life jackets, paddles and expert instruction. This is a great family outing, suitable for most every age; and even pets are welcome! Kutras Boat Ramp, Park Marina Dr. headwatersadventure.com
The peddle planes at Chico Air Museum are a huge success with young kids.
In The Air
Planes For Every Age
Get in on the free grand re-opening of Chico Air Museum on July 10, with fly-ins, vintage planes and more. The museum has 20 vintage planes spanning more than 100 years of aviation history, including a Grumann Guardian, one of only six in the world. Classic uniforms, flight logs from historical flights, NASA and space artifacts, and other unique aviation displays can be found in multiple exhibits indoors and outdoors. Don’t miss the marvelous pedal planes – great fun for little ones! 165 Ryan Ave, Chico – admission always free.
chicoairmuseum.org
Meteor Shower Viewing
Meteors — or shooting stars — are those beautiful objects streaking across the night sky and burning as they enter the earth’s atmosphere. The Perseids meteor shower is caused by comet Swift-Tuttle, and occurs every year in August. The night of peak activity is usually between August 12-14; this year it’s expected that the Perseids will peak on August 12. On this night, you can look for up to 150 meteors per hour. spacetourism.com has a whole guide to seeing the Perseids meteor shower; it will be updated soon, so bookmark it.
Posted in: Out & About
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