Etna, California
Etna, California is a top destination for outdoor adventures. One of the best trails is the Pacific Crest Trail, a scenic, challenging route that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the trail, you'll find unique rock formations and a beautiful river, making it a must-visit for hikers. For those interested in water activities, the Klamath River is perfect for fishing and rafting. Another popular attraction is the Marble Mountain Wilderness, home to a vast network of trails, beautiful lakes, and unique flora and fauna. If you're looking for a more relaxed activity, the city park offers picnic areas and a playground. The best Trails and Outdoor Activities await you in Etna, California.
Top Spots in and near Etna
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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 -
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 -
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 -
Trinity Center, California
Stoddard Lake
5.07.01 mi / 1325 ft gainThe trail is a bit rocky, so wear sturdy hiking boots or trail runners. While your elevation gain is only 800 total, you will travel upwards of 1,982ft in elevation given the ups and downs of the trail. At mile 1.75, there is a spring that feeds into a large meadow. At mile 3, there is another sp...Read more -
Forks of Salmon, California
Hike to the Caribou Lakes, Shasta-Trinity Alps
4.016 mi / 3000 ft gainHike through the most majestic and unforgettable mountain ranges, alpine terrains, glacier lakes outside of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. Yes, it's a long drive there and a lengthy hike, but if you have any doubts about whether this is worth the effort, just go! I struggled with the s...Read more -
Forks of Salmon, California
Grizzly Lake via China Gulch Trailhead
4.414.6 mi / 5112 ft gainGrizzly Lake is in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The lake is know for its brilliant waterfall flowing from the lake's surface straight off the side of a cliff and roughly 600 feet down to the meadow below. Grizzly lake is located in some of America's most amazing and remote alpine wilderness, incl...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 -
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 -
Trinity Center, California
Backpack to Bear Basin and The Four Lakes Loop
30.1 miDay 1 Swift Creek Trail Head to Bear BasinThe trip begins at the Swift Creek trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Permits are very easy to get, just stop by the Ranger station in Weaverville, CA. They are free and can be self-issued in front of the ranger station, or you can go in if you wou...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 -
Dunsmuir, California
Mossbrae Falls
5.03.01 miDisclaimer: Hiking to the falls is trespassing. Fines can be as much as $300. If you choose to hike to the falls, you're doing so at your own risk so please be cautious and cognizant of your surroundings. If you live anywhere near Northern California or Southern Oregon, you may have heard about ...Read more -
Castella, California
Hike Crags Trail to Castle Dome
4.45.1 mi / 2135 ft gainOne of the gems in the Shasta area, Castle Crags. You can spot these dramatic granite towers from a distance and their jagged formations beckon climbers and hikers alike. Imagine a slice of the Dolomites plucked out of Italy and placed in Northern California. Crags Trail to Castle Dome winds up t...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
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Etna
Indian Scotty Group Site
Carter Meadows Horse Group
Alpine View Campground
Tree Of Heaven Campground
Sarah Totten Campground
Nordheimer Group Sites