The Klamath National Forest straddles the California and Oregon border and both sides of Interstate 5 and is in Siskiyou County. It is very accessible for recreationalist traveling north and south. Almost 400 species of wildlife call the Klamath home, including 100 species of mammals and 237 bird species. Two American Birding Association Birding Routes wander through the backroads of Siskiyou County, the county that contains the greatest portion of the Forest.

Another unusual attraction is the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden, a peaceful place honoring the contributions of veterans of all wars. Big-game hunting, fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking, camping, hiking and back-packing, especially in the wilderness areas, make the Klamath National Forest an adventure just waiting for you.

Lassen National Forest  the forest surrounds Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Lassen Scenic Byway, one of only a few circular byways in the National Forest scenic driving program, provides an excellent way to get to know this area of northern California. Camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, four wheeling, boating, hang-gliding and simply enjoying "all outdoors" are among the many activities that draw thousands of visitors to this forest. Fly-fishing on Hat Creek is justly famous but opportunities for volcanic exploration are also outstanding. Eagle Lake and Lake Almanor offer numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Spring, summer and fall draw people to the lakes and trails of the Lassen National Forest. Subway Cave provides a unique underground "hiking" experience. Winter is a special season. Cross-county skiers and snowmobilers will find miles of groomed trails.

Modoc National Forest: Splendid isolation and high desert contrasts reward the visitor, This area's volcanic history provides unique vistas -- rugged mountains, lava caves, craters and hot springs. The Medicine Lake Highlands are filled with pristine and serene lakes like Medicine Lake and numerous streams. Backpackers, hikers and horseback riders will find almost 80 miles of trails and spectacular scenery along remote highways near the South Warner Wilderness Area. Breath-taking scenery, solitude, and cool nights make for great camping. Once a vast inland sea, the area now serves as a wintering area for migratory birds. Over 300 species of wildlife find homes in the Modoc National Forest making it a great place for watching wildlife.

Shasta-Trinity National Forests are located in portions of Shasta County, Siskiyou County, The Trinity Alps Wilderness, another spectacular feature of these forests, is filled with glacially-chiseled peaks. High alpine lakes and soaring peaks rival the beauty of their European counterparts. Castle Crags, whose spires reach over 6,000 feet, can be seen from the Pacific Crest Trail, which crosses the Castle Crags Wilderness Area. Trinity Divide County, just north of Redding, boasts 58 lakes. Many of these lakes are accessible only by foot but others offer camping just off the roads.

Marble Mountain Wilderness consist of over 22,000 acres with dense vegetation, many meadows and high mountain lakes. There are 89 lakes and all but 9 are stocked by the Forest Service with one of three kinds of trout! Many different kinds of wildlife live here, including the black bear, flying squirrel, striped and spotted skunk and the mountain lion, and the western rattlesnake!

There are numerous access roads or trails for every kind of backpacker or hiker to enjoy. Local forest service or ranger stations can give you a map and packet with detailed descriptions of all trails. The Pacific Crest trail is one of the more famous trails. It has an elevation that ranges from 1,700 feet to 7,210 feet, it is 49.4 miles long (one way) and takes about 5 to 7 days to complete. Wilderness permits are not required, but fire permits are.

Attractions

Castle Lake, Little Castle Lake, Heart Lake: Located 11 miles west of the city of Mount Shasta via county paved Castle Lake Rd., largest and deepest alpine lake in the area, offers swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, camping. Hiking trails lead to Heart Lake and Upper Castle Lake, pristine mountain lakes.

Lake Siskiyou: from Mount Shasta City, take Lake St. west across I-5 to Old Stage Rd., turn left and go 1/4 mile, staying right at the fork of the road. You will now be on W.A. Barr Rd., continue driving south over Box Canyon Dam for an additional 1.5 miles until you reach the entrance. Offers swimming, fishing, camping, boating, windsurfing, kayaks, and much more!

The Sacramento River is famous for its native and rainbow trout which can be taken by fly, lure, or bait! You can experience some of the best bear hunting in the state each fall as well as deer, ducks, elk and quail, around the Dunsmuir, Mt. Shasta Area. The surrounding mountains provide hunters with excellent hunting adventures! The River also offers you an abundance of swimming/fishing holes with refreshing pools of crystal clear water. Rafting between Redding and Anderson City Park is a common summer recreation.

McCloud Falls/ McCloud River Located  5 miles east of McCloud on Hwy 89. Situated along the McCloud River, among a shaded forest of tall pine and fir trees with trails leading to spectacular lower, middle, and upper falls on the McCloud River. Offers fishing, camping, hiking. (see McCloud Guide for photo)

Shasta Dam Tours: 6 miles south on I-5 you'll find the second-largest dam in the U.S., the keystone in the mighty Central Valley Project. (see Redding Guide for photo

Shasta Lake: about 15 miles north of Redding on I-5, Resorts, boat and houseboat rentals, marinas, swimming, fishing access, camping. The Jewel of Northern California! Shasta Lake draws visitors from all over the West Coast and beyond. Whether you take advantage of the scenic lake-view campgrounds and cabins, or rent a luxurious houseboat, Shasta Lake offers the ultimate vacation experience!

The Lake's summer water temperatures average 77 degrees which is perfect for swimming and water sports. Houseboating, water skiing, jet skiing and parasailing draw thousands of families to Shasta each year. And don't forget fishing...Shasta Lake is fed by three major rivers: the Sacramento, Pit, and McCloud, as well as numerous streams that lure both beginning and experienced anglers. Nature lovers will appreciate the diversity of wildlife drawn to Shasta's 370 miles of shoreline offer adventure and serenity of tall pines and clear water. Cutting through the water, jumping the wake, hiking through scenic wonderland, peering into surreal caves and caverns - Shasta Lake offers a wide variety of sights, sounds, and new experiences that will turn your vacation into the memory of a life-time! For more information, visit http://www.shastalake.com/

Lake Shasta Caverns offers a 2 hour tour which includes roundtrip boat and bus transportation to the well-lighted caverns. open daily, located 1 1/2 miles east of I-5 at O'Brien/Lake Shasta Caverns Rd. exit. The spectacular limestone and marble formations are surrounded by waterfalls and embedded with sparkling crystals. (see Redding Guide for photo)

Whiskeytown Lake: about 8 miles west on Highway 299 our of Redding, sandy beaches, marinas, camping, boating, hiking trails. (see Redding Guide for photo)

Subway Cave: located one quarter mile north of the junction of Highways 89 & 44 in the Intermountain Region (approx. 20 miles north of the Lassen Park entrance), provides over 1,000 accessible feet to explore, The Mayfield and Ice Caves are located to the north.

Waterfalls: Mossbrae Falls, Hedge Creek Falls, Sweetbrier Falls -(see Dunsmuir Guide for photos and directions)