Head north from Sacramento and the landscape opens up into vast forests, rugged mountains, winding rivers and small towns. From river canyons and mountain valleys to quiet stretches of coast, Northern California has plenty of outdoor destinations that can get overshadowed by the state’s better-known parks and recreation areas. Here are five worth a closer look.
Weaverville
Steeped in Gold Rush history and surrounded by wilderness, Weaverville makes a good base for hiking, camping and whitewater rafting, with the 2.1-million-acre Shasta-Trinity National Forest surrounding the area.
About 30 miles north of Weaverville on Highway 3, Trinity Lake offers boating and other water recreation. I think of it as a smaller version of Shasta Lake.
West of Weaverville, Big Bar is a jumping-off point for whitewater rafting trips on the Trinity River.
The Lost Sierra
About an hour north of the Truckee-Tahoe area, the Lost Sierra stretches across Sierra and Plumas counties, with small mountain towns surrounded by forests, lakes and trails. Mining, logging, ranching and railroads have all shaped the region’s history.
Today, outdoor recreation is a major draw. In winter, historic longboard ski races are held at the Plumas-Eureka Ski Bowl, while nearby Plumas-Eureka State Park offers hiking, fishing and a historic mining complex.
Calaveras County
The first time I visited Calaveras Big Trees State Park was in January 2025, and I was surprised by how much there was to explore even in the middle of winter. When conditions allow, guided hikes through the North Grove become snowshoe hikes, where visitors can see landmarks including the Discovery Stump and Abraham Lincoln Tree. Farther east on Highway 4, Bear Valley Mountain Resort adds skiing and snowboarding to the area’s winter recreation options.
Whether you’re playing in the snow in winter or hiking and camping in summer, I recommend stopping at The Red Apple in Murphys on the way to or from the park. The family-run bakery serves apple cider, doughnuts, pies and other baked goods.
Trinidad
On California’s North Coast, Trinidad sits along the Pacific Ocean near Redwood National and State Parks. Only a few hundred people live in Trinidad, but the small coastal city has several public beaches and access to Trinidad Head. Murphy’s Market & Deli is a handy place to pick up sandwiches and camping supplies before heading north to Sue-meg State Park.
Kayaking, sport fishing, tide pooling and surfing are among the outdoor activities around Trinidad. Nearby Sue-meg State Park adds hiking trails, tide pools, beaches, surfing and camping.
Auburn
In the heart of Gold Country northeast of Sacramento along Interstate 80, Auburn grew during the Gold Rush and today serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation along the American River.
Auburn State Recreation Area extends along about 40 miles of the North and Middle forks of the American River, where whitewater rafting is a major draw. The Middle Fork is a good spot for trout and bass fishing, while Upper Lake Clementine has a day-use swimming area.
For those more interested in trails than water, Auburn SRA has more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding through the American River canyons. Three primitive campgrounds offer places to stay overnight, and gold panning remains one of the recreation area’s permitted activities. Just watch out for poison oak — and don’t tell anyone if you strike gold.
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