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French Gulch, California

If you're looking for the best trails and outdoor activities in French Gulch, California, the Clear Creek Greenway is a must-visit. Rated as moderate difficulty, this 8.2-mile trail offers a scenic view of the Clear Creek canyon, with its unique rock formations and the sparkling creek itself. The trail is also home to several species of birds, making it a delight for birdwatchers. For those interested in history, the trail features several old mining sites. Another top outdoor adventure in French Gulch is the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Here, you can enjoy water activities on Whiskeytown Lake, like kayaking and fishing. The area also offers several hiking trails with views of waterfalls and the surrounding forest. Remember, these are just a few examples of the outdoor attractions in and near French Gulch. Explore and enjoy!

Top Spots in and near French Gulch

  • Trinity Center, California

    Camp at Hayward Flat on Trinity Lake

    We drove all around Trinity Lake and this was the best campground we found! Located right on Trinity Lake you will find Hayward Flat Campground.  From Weaverville California you will follow highway 3 north about 20 miles. Then take a right on Hayward Flat road two miles. Boom, you are there.  The...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Backpack Stony Ridge in the Trinity Alps

    16.5 mi / 4500 ft gain
    The Trinity Alps has miles and miles of beautiful trails, but one of the more stunning sections is the Four Lakes Loop. There are two main trail heads that access the trail. Long Canyon Trail and Stony Ridge Trail both are both beautiful but Stony Ridge is the more popular route yet strenuous. To...
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  • French Gulch, California

    Hike to Crystal Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    0.6 mi
    From Redding pass the visitor center on highway 299 and pass the lake. Make a left turn on to Crystal Creek Road. Follow this road for about 2 miles. There will be signs to make a left turn to Crystal Creek Falls. This is less of a hike and more of a walk. The trail is paved. It is less than a ha...
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  • French Gulch, California

    Hike to Whiskeytown Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    2.8 mi / 787 ft gain
    Coming from Redding pass the visitor center and heading down highway 299. Make a left turn on Crystal Creek Road. Drive about 3.75 miles and on your left will be the Mills Creek Trailhead. Start hiking. You will start headed downhill towards the creek. You will cross Crystal Creek on a footbridge...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Backpack Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lake

    25 mi / 4448 ft gain
    The Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes trail features many beautiful lakes, meadows, and an area that resembles a jungle. Dogs are able to use this trail. This trail can be done as a day hike, an overnight, or a three-day backpacking trip. If you choose to make it a three day, the meadows ...
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  • Redding, California

    Camp at Shasta Campground

    Shasta Campground offers 27 tent/trailer campsites, picnic tables, paved loop road, vault toilets, OHV staging area, potable water, and fire rings. To get to the campground head along Keswick Reservoir, below Shasta Dam.  Take I-5 north from Redding about 10 miles to Shasta Dam Blvd.  Follow Shas...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Backpack to Bear Basin and The Four Lakes Loop

    30.1 mi
    Day 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...
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  • Igo, California

    Hike to Brandy Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    5.0
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    My favorite hike in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. From the visitor center you will take Kennedy Memorial Drive towards the dam, make a left at Brandy Creek Road. At a junction for Sheep camp/Shasta Bally make a left. You will arrive at the trailhead. This hike follows a beautiful stream t...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes

    5.0
    27.06 mi / 4213 ft gain
    The trail begins just past the Trinity Alps Resort, a private collection of cabins near Weaverville, CA. Hikers wanting an early start can spend the night at the Bridge Camp Campground, located next to the trailhead. The path starts out wide and level, following an old road to the wilderness bou...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Stuart Fork to Alpine Lake

    16 mi / 4265 ft gain
    Nestled in the heights of the Trinity Alps, this hike to Alpine Lake is not for the faint of heart. Before embarking on this adventure call the Weaverville Ranger station to check snow levels as well as the flow of the Stuart Fork River. If you are too early in the summer season the snowpack wi...
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  • Shasta County, California

    Hike Kanaka Peak

    4.5
    3.5 mi / 1100 ft gain
    Head to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to pa...
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  • Shasta County, California

    Hike to the top of South Fork Mountain

    5 mi / 4181 ft gain
    Starting from the Kanaka Peak Trailhead, follow the Kanaka Peak Trail all the way, continuing on past the Peltier Trail Junction and the Kanaka Cutoff Trail Junction until the trail begins to head east (about 2-2.5 miles from the trailhead) and there is a gently sloping hill on your right that is...
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  • Douglas City, California

    Camp at Steel Bridge Campground

    Steel Bridge is located along the Trinity River.  About three miles east of Douglas City on State Highway 299, turn north onto Steel Bridge Road and go about 2 miles to the campground.This campground is open from Mid-May until winter weather forces closure.  The campground is home to 12 camping s...
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  • Redding, California

    Houseboat Lake Shasta

    1 mi / 1 ft gain
    Lake Shasta sits at the foot of infamous Mt Shasta, past the major Northern California city of Redding. From the Bay Area you can count on at least a 3.5 hour drive to get to waters edge, but the drive goes by quickly just cruising on HWY 5. There are multiple Marinas on Shasta but the largest is...
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  • Douglas City, California

    Camp at Douglas City Campground

    The campground amenities include 20 tent/trailer campsites, group picnic area, picnic tables, telephone, beach, paved loop road, flush and vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. MAX trailer length is 28 feet.Douglas City is located along the Trinity River. Follow State Highway 299 to Dougl...
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  • Junction City, California

    Canyon Creek Lakes

    4.3
    14.35 mi / 2605 ft gain
    Numerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevatio...
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Camping and Lodging in French Gulch

Ackerman Campground
Ackerman Camp Road

Ackerman Campground

Hayward Flat
Hayward Flat Road

Hayward Flat

Bushytail
Granite Peak Road

Bushytail

Minersville Campground
Granite Peak Road

Minersville Campground

Fawn
Trinity Center, California

Fawn

Tannery
Trinity Center, California

Tannery

Guides, Insights and Stories from French Gulch

An Epic 3 Days of Backpacking in the Trinity Alps

An Epic 3 Days of Backpacking in the Trinity Alps

Benjamin Canevari