Things To Do in Siskiyou County
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22 Things to Do in Summertime Siskiyou County
The treasures are in the journey, not only the destination.
Siskiyou County is Mount Shasta country, California's treasure at the top of the state. The three regions of our great county welcome you and your family - Alpine Vistas and Villages in the south, The Gold Country of the Mythical State of Jefferson in the west, and the Valleys and Volcanoes region of the east and north. We hope this list of Summertime Things to Do, covering the months of July, August and September, will inspire your adventures and lasting memories.
Our list of activities is presented in no particular order, and the numbers are not intended to imply a rating. Our intent is to serve as a guide and an introduction, to inspire you to try something new, something you've never dared before, something you've been too busy to notice, something you've always dreamed of.
The treasures are in the journey, not only the destination. Take time to enjoy the adventures that await at every side road. Bon voyage and welcome to Siskiyou County in the summertime.
1. Visit our Blog: Siskiyou County Notebook for the latest news and reports of countywide attractions and activities. Find the best hikes, town festivals, great restaurants, the latest events, comments and suggestions from other visitors (and please add your own, too!). www.visitsiskiyou.org/blog
2. Swim and Fish in a Crystal Clear Mountain Lake Many lakes throughout Siskiyou County have access for swimming. The water warms as summer progresses, reaching its delicious peak in the late summer days. There is a developed swimming beach at Lake Siskiyou in the campground area, and one at Lake Shastina north of Weed. Mountain lakes offer wonderful fishing, sunbathing on granite rocks, and peaceful air-mattess floats in the most beautiful settings on earth. Find a handy list of Siskiyou County Lakes at fishingworks.com.
3. Take in a Concert The summer months see a spike in the number of concerts and public performances, from classical music to world-class Taiko. The events calendar at the Siskiyou Arts Council web site lists music events month by month. Check our calendar for other events.
4. Float Down the River The cool waters of the Klamath River provide the ideal setting for a family float trip from early June on into the perfect late summer days of September and October. The popular Tree of Heaven run is the perfect one-day stretch, while the Middle Klamath around Happy Camp offers multi-day camping and floating opportunities with exciting rapids and long, still pools. The Upper Klamath is California's best summertime class-V whitewater! Check our water sports page for information about guide services.
5. Have Fun at the Fair The Siskiyou Golden Fair in August is a traditional, old fashioned county fair with all the trimmings - from fun carnival rides and games, concerts and a professional rodeo, to 4-H showmanship, prize winning livestock, farm machinery on display, arts and crafts, great fair food and lots more special events. Check out the action at the Siskiyou Golden Fair web site. Then in September, don't miss the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair - five action packed days, concerts, truck pulls, carnival, entertainment, greased pig contest, bull riding, gardening tips, great food and much more.
6. Canoe the Wildlife Refuges Self guided canoe trails provide a peaceful adventure and incredible wildlife watching at Tule Lake, Upper Klamath, and Klamath Marsh Refuges. The Upper Klamath canoe trail is the most extensive and diverse of the trails. It is also open year round. The Tule Lake and Klamath Marsh canoe trails are open through the summer each year. Canoes may be rented for use at Upper Klamath Refuge from nearby concessionaires.
7. Bring Your Bike for a Race Several cycling events come to Siskiyou County over the Summer. Mt. Shasta is host to the Mt Shasta Hillclimb Bike Race, the Summit Century Bike Ride, while Yreka hosts the Siskiyou Century. Check our bicycling page for more information.
8. Expand Your New Age Horizons This area has long been a destination resort for realization and rejuvenation, with its pristine glacial waters, natural mineral springs, pure mountain air and unsurpassed scenery. Mount Shasta is considered one of the Seven Sacred Mountains of the World, drawing thousands of spiritual tourists yearly on sacred journeys, pilgrimages, vision quests, healing retreats. Visit our Spiritual Visitors page for more information.
9. Relax by the River The Upper Sacramento River is rich in history and folklore. Enjoy beautiful scenery at the Castle Crags State Park river access, with vistas of Castle Crags, wildflowers, and tranquil river solitude during the two mile stroll. On your way back through Dunsmuir, stop by the Upper Sacramento River Exchange at 3819 Sacramento Avenue to explore their great displays, river ecology information, giftshop and events.
10. Play at the Skating Rink Bring your roller skates or inline skates to the Siskiyou Skating Rink...the largest outdoor ice rink on the west coast in the winter is also a great roller skating rink in the summer months. Located in Mt. Shasta at Shastice Park, behind the High School, the rink offers extraordinary views of Mount Shasta, the Eddys and Black Butte. Call the Mt. Shasta Recreation department at 530-926-2494 for information.
11. Feast from a Farmers' Market Summertime gardens bring a wealth of produce, flowers and foods to several area farmers' markets. The Mt. Shasta Certified Farmers Market happens on Monday afternoons through the summer in downtown Mt. Shasta. Weed and Dunsmui also host weekly farmers markets. The Yreka Community Certified Farmers Market gives shoppers a great opportunity to purchase locally grown fresh produce and flowers, and a variety of hand made arts and crafts. The Scott Valley Farmers Market has a real hometown feel...located next to the Scott Valley Feed Store.
12. Picnic at McCloud Falls A few miles past McCloud on Highway 89, you'll find the turn-off for Fowler's Campground on the McCloud River. Both Upper and Lower Falls are easily accessible by car, while the hike to Middle Falls is beautiful. Each of the three falls has its own personality. At Upper Falls, the quiet river gathers itself into a massive stone chute, charging the waters with enormous energy before they spill into a pool far below. Middle Falls, the most inaccessible, spreads a sheet of falling water over a lava cliff. Lower Falls is a wonderful spot to rest, picnic and play. Watch for the tiny Dipper bird which flies low and plunges in and out of the cascading water.
13. Enjoy Klamath Basin/Lava Beds activities! Summer months find Lava Beds’ summer programs in full swing, from June through Labor Day weekend. Ranger guided cave tours leave the Visitor Center at 3:00 PM, and range in difficulty from an easy walk through Sentinel or Valentine Cave to challenging excursions into Juniper or Catacombs Caves. The Park Service says, no matter what the weather is outside, visitors should come prepared to “Cave Safely, Cave Softly” with long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closedtoed shoes, head protection, and a flashlight for each person. Flashlights may be borrowed from the Visitor Center during open hours, and a selection of hardhats, kneepads, gloves, and cave maps are available for sale. Details at Lava Beds National Moument.
14. Enjoy the Balloon Fair The Montague Balloon Fair is an annual late summer event that attracts fun-seekers and nature enthusiasts from all over the United States. Forty balloons with special shapes, morning mass ascensions, parade, steak dinner and more. For more information go to the Montague Balloon Fair website.
15. Head for the High Country Mount Shasta Country boasts a variety of hiking opportunities - from short walks through community parks, river access and nature areas, to long sections of backcountry trails and the Pacific Crest Trail. When planning hikes, please remember sunblock, clothing for weather changes, snack food, drinking water and personal first aid gear. Contact local ranger stations for maps and trail information, and check out the many resources on our Hiking page.
16. Climb Black Butte Black Butte, once known as Muir Peak, is a "plug dome" volcano located between Mt. Shasta City and Weed. It has sometimes been called a cinder cone, resulting from one of Mount Shasta's many eruptions...but is actually a separate volcano, complete with a well defined hiking trail to the summit. Black Butte offers special challenges and rewards. The trail head is reached from Forest Service roads on the east side (stop at the Ranger Station in Mt. Shasta City for detailed maps and directions). The climb takes 2 to 3 hours. The magnificent 360 degree view from the top is your reward! Be sure to wear proper hiking shoes. This is more than a stroll. Take plenty of drinking water and wear sunscreen. For more information, check out a great trail report at summitpost.org.
17. Discover Siskiyou County's Largest Volcano ...and no, it's NOT Mount Shasta. The Medicine Lake Highlands is the largest identified volcano (in total area) in California. This large "Hawaiian shield-type" volcano's gentle sloping profile, stretching nearly 15 miles from east to west and 25 miles north to south, blends so well into the surrounding terrain that it's easy to forget you are driving on the slopes and into the caldera of a massive (and active) volcano. As you drive through the Highlands, you will see mountains of glass, pumice deposits, cinder cones, and collapsed lava tubes. Click and print the on-line pdf file titled Visitor Guide to the Medicine Lake Highlands Volcanic Area and get ready for a wonderful adventure.
18. Take a Pack Trip Adventure on horseback into the beautiful country of the Marble Mountains Wilderness and Russian Wilderness, or hike in with sure-footed llamas carrying your gear. Seasoned guides will take you to the best of the high mountain lakes! See the Guides and Adventures page for equestrian and pack trip outfitters.
19. Discover the Klamath River Corridore As you drive Highway 96 down the beautiful Kalamth River, you'll discover historical, cultural, natural resources and recreational sites of this lovely, wild and remote area of northern California. A great web site can be your introduction...visit the Klamath River Corridor pages first for a mile by mile guide from Yreka to Orleans.
20. Hang Out at the City Park If you and the kids just need to take a break, stop at any of the city parks in the Mount Shasta Region for a place to play and relax outdoors. The parks offer various recreational opportunities, some which include swimming pools. During summer weekends many of these parks are home to little league and Babe Ruth baseball games. See a listing of parks on our Kids Activities page.
21. Be in Awe of the Hot Saw Competition...and the other logging races at the McCloud Annual Lumberjack Fiesta held mid-summer. Watch the Men's & Women's Axe Throw, the Stock Saw, Hot Saw, Double Buck, Single Buck, Jack & Jill Buck, Jill & Jill Buck, Standing Chop Block, and the Underhand Chop....with prizes and excitement for all. All this and more in the historic town of McCloud at the foot of the mountain. Check with the McCloud Chamber for this year's schedule!
22. Stroll through Panther Meadows Panther Meadows is a precious high mountain meadow on the slopes of Mount Shasta. Drive up Everitt Memorial Highway about 1 mile past Bunny Flat. There is parking and an interpretive sign just before you enter the meadow. The delicate plants of a high mountain meadow grow and bloom quickly during the few short weeks of warmth and sunlight at this elevation. Walk carefully through this delicate ecosystem. Paths once crisscrossed this unprotected meadow as visitors strayed from established trails. One step on these high mountain plants can set them back a whole season. Two steps can kill them, so please stay on the paths. Visit the Mt. Shasta Trails website for this and other great area hikes!
Print this page and bring it along when you visit!
For a freeVisitors' Guide to the Mount Shasta Region click here and email your address. And please do not hesitate to phone or email us with your questions. We are here to serve you!
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