Falling for Redding

Redding Adventures in the Fall

School's back in, the summer crowds are gone … who's ready for a fall getaway?! With 225+ miles of hiking trails and premier national parks, Redding is your year-round go-to for adventures. Here are a few fantastic ways to get you going.

Volcanic Hot Springs: What is this—California's Yellowstone? Yes! Less than an hour from Redding, Lassen Volcanic National Park is filled with sputtering mud pots, sulfur vents, and boiling pools. The best way to see this incredible thermal activity is by hiking Bumpass Hell. Scary name aside, this 3-mile (round-trip) hike is easy and spectacular, featuring the geothermal features of steam vents, mud pots, and hot springs. Tip: Combine this outing with a 5-mile round-trip hike on the newly restored Lassen Peak Trail. Vistas up top offer the best perspective of the area's volcanic activity.

Waterfall Wanders: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, just 15 minutes from Redding, is a cascade haven for hikers. A bonus? Hiking here in autumn means plenty of fall colors, thanks to the bigleaf maple, Pacific dogwood, and California black oaks studding the park. The tallest waterfall, Whiskeytown Falls (220 ft.) is reached on its namesake trail with gorgeous views of Crystal Lake. And don't miss the beautiful Brandy Creek Falls, where afterwards you can enjoy a picnic on the beach or under the towering pines and cedars. Keep an eye out for America's national bird: Whiskeytown is home to four nesting pairs of bald eagles.

Stay, Play, Eat: Located in the heart of hiking and biking trails, stunning mountain scenery, and with a river running right through it, Redding offers fabulous dining and a variety of lodging for visitors.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View