Your Ultimate Guide To State Parks In Northern California
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Will Suphan
Author
Northern California is one of the most beautiful areas in the American landscape. With towering redwoods, gorgeous National Parks, and miles of hiking trails through California state parks, there is always a view waiting to take our breath away. This list of State Parks in Northern California will show you the very best of them all. Every single one is worth visiting and is a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and they are just as beautiful as National Parks like Yosemite or Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here’s our Ultimate Guide to State Parks in Northern California!
Most Popular State Parks In Northern California
When you hit the open road and want to explore some beautiful places from inland redwood groves to the Pacific Ocean coastline, you’ll find some of the most fantastic experiences in the backcountry of the most popular state parks in Northern California.
1. McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
24898 CA-89, Burney, CA 96013, USA
- Location: 24898 CA-89, Burney, CA 96013
- Wow Factor: Burney Falls pours 100 million gallons of water per day over its rocks!
- Need To Know: The park is northeast of Redding, six miles north of Highway 299 on Highway 89 near Burney.
You will not believe your eyes when you are standing in front of Burney Falls. The cascading waters flow from fresh springs over soft white rocks known as diatomite, which is made up of the remains of ancient tiny organisms called diatoms that lived here when this whole area was one huge lake. Things to do in McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park include hiking, camping, boating, fishing, scuba diving, and more!
2. Emerald Bay State Park
96150, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
- Location: Lake Valley, CA
- Wow Factor: There’s a secret campground that’s only accessible by boat!
- Need To Know: Dogs and drones are not allowed in this park.
Emerald Bay is in a corner of Lake Tahoe and is utterly gorgeous. There’s a lovely little island called Fannette Island with a tiny castle-like structure on it. You’ll also find a breathtaking property called Vikingsholm which was built in 1929 and is quite a lovely example of Scandinavian architecture that you can tour. Things to do in Emerald Bay State Park include camping, boating, birding, kayaking, swimming, museums, exhibits, guided tours, and more.
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3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Crescent City, CA, USA
- Location: Crescent City, CA
- Wow Factor: Some of the trees here are 700 years old!
- Need To Know: The six-mile Howland Hill Road is one of the most scenic redwood forest drives there is.
Just a little way south of the Oregon border, this park is full of magnificent old-growth redwoods. It’s a hiker’s dream all year round, and this is the northernmost of the Redwood National and State Parks. It’s hard to imagine just how massive these trees are until you’re standing next to them, trying to see the tops. Things to do in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park include hiking, biking, scenic drives, horseback riding, and more.
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Best State Parks In Northern California To Camp
With so many natural wonders including the coast redwoods, sequoia trees, and miles of trails to explore, there’s nothing like spending a few days at any of the wonderful campsites to be found in our state parks. Whether you want to hike a loop trail, do some mountain biking, or simply gaze up at the majesty of the redwood trees, here are the best state parks in Northern California to camp.
4. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Davison Road, Davison Rd, California 95555, USA
- Location: Davison Rd, Orick, CA 95555
- Wow Factor: The sunsets you’ll see while camping on the beach are just mind-blowing!
- Need To Know: This area was quite prominent during the Gold Rush and once was home to the Native American Yurok Nation.
Located near the towns of Eureka and Orick, this stunning state park is a place where you can enjoy beach camping or redwood forest camping. The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is an excellent place to set up camp and watch the sunset and the Elk Prairie Campground puts you right in the middle of the forest. You’re also quite close to Fern Canyon which is spectacular. You’ll find no shortage of things to do in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park!
5. Grover Hot Springs State Park
3415 Hot Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA 96120, USA
- Location: 3415 Hot Springs Rd, Markleeville, CA 96120
- Wow Factor: The water in the hot springs is green! Don’t worry, it is completely safe.
- Need To Know: The hot springs are reopening for limited sessions after a wildfire caused closures in 2021.
The refreshing hot springs are just one of the things to do in Grover Hot Springs State Park. This hidden gem is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and is a lovely place to camp year-round. While a fire ran through the area in 2021, the park is recovering nicely and trees and wildflowers are starting to grow back nicely. The hot springs are open again, and ready for you to visit!
6. Castle Crags State Park
20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella, CA 96051, USA
- Location: 20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella, CA 96017
- Wow Factor: The rocky crags were formed over 170 million years ago and some are 6,000 feet tall
- Need To Know: There are 76 developed campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, and restrooms with showers are available.
Get ready for some of the most stunning rock formations you’ll ever see! Not only are the rocky crags here like something from a prehistoric world but you can also see the spectacular Mt. Shasta! If you’re looking for things to do in Castle Crags State Park, the historic Pacific West Trail runs through this park and there’s the Vista Point trail where you can see Mt. Shasta, the Castle Crags, and Grays Rock.
Best State Parks In Northern California To RV
One of the best ways to explore Northern California is in an RV, where you can take your time to see the sights and when you stop to camp, you don’t even need to set up a tent! It’s so convenient and comfortable and keeps you out of the weather. If this is your preferred way to camp and travel, then check out the best state parks in Northern California to RV.
7. Marshall Gold Discovery State Park
Mount Murphy Road, Mt Murphy Rd, Coloma, CA 95633, USA
- Location: 6921 Mt Murphy Rd, Coloma, CA 95613
- Wow Factor: The gold that was discovered here was what kicked off the whole California Gold Rush!
- Need To Know: The best place for RV camping is Coloma Resort. Each site has a picnic table, campfire ring, and water/electricity hookup. A dump station is available.
RV camping is just one of the many things to do in Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. There are over 20 historical buildings to explore and you can pan for gold at the place that started the Gold Rush. There are gold panning lessons and you can take a Gold Discovery Tour. Check out some of the mining exhibits as well. It’s a great family adventure!
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8. Donner Memorial State Park
12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161, USA
- Location: 12593 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161
- Wow Factor: This is where the Donner Party wagon train was trapped in the winter of 1846 and resorted to cannibalism!
- Need To Know: RVs up to 28’ can be accommodated and there are restrooms with showers and drinking water available.
This is a place that is full of history! Besides RV camping, things to do in Donner Memorial State Park include several exhibits at the visitor center about the Emigrant Experience, the Chinese construction of the railroad, The Donner Party, and The Land of the Washoe. It’s also a great place for boating, fishing, windsurfing, and hiking.
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9. Calaveras Big Trees State Park
1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223, USA
- Location: 1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223
- Wow Factor: The massive sequoia trees here have been wowing people since 1852!
- Need To Know: Trailers and RVs up to 30’ can camp here and the season runs from March to November.
The name speaks for itself. The sequoia trees here are absolutely gigantic! They’re the largest tree species in North America and some of the oldest as well. While this became a tourist attraction in 1852, it became a state park in 1931 and contains two groves of humongous sequoias. You can find things to do in Calaveras Big Trees State Park like interpretive programs, ranger talks, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and more.
Best State Parks In Northern California For Hiking
If there’s anything we have in abundance in Northern California, it’s a vast amount of sublime hiking trails. From Monterey to Sacramento, you’ll find some of the best views in the USA at any of the state parks and recreation areas in this state. So, put on your hiking boots and get ready for the best state parks in Northern California for hiking.
10. Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Avenue of the Giants, Myers Flat, CA, USA
- Location: Avenue of the Giants, Myers Flat, CA 95554
- Wow Factor: This park is almost twice the size of San Francisco and one-third of it is made up of old-growth redwood forest!
- Need To Know: There are over 100 miles of trails in this park. Be sure to let someone know which trail you’re going to hike, just in case.
This park contains the largest expanse of ancient redwoods on Earth! If there’s any place that’s perfect for hiking it’s right here in Humboldt County. If you want to know the best things to do in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, try hiking the Founders Grove Nature Trail, The Bull Creek Flats Trail, or the Drury-Chaney Trail. All of them afford achingly beautiful views of these giants of nature. This park almost became a logging travesty until a grove was protected in 1921, and then grew to encompass 53,000 acres.
11. Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
15825 Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482, USA
- Location: 15825 Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
- Wow Factor: There’s a redwood tree here that’s 367.5 feet tall and was once considered the tallest tree in the world!
- Need To Know: No drones or camping is allowed in this reserve and it is a day-use-only site.
Located between Mendocino and Ukiah, this gobsmackingly gorgeous grove has some fairly easy trails with breathtakingly picturesque views. One of the best things to do in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve is to hike the Montgomery Trail to Kellieowen Grove and stop for a picnic under these towering monoliths next to Montgomery Creek. It’s certainly one of the most memorable day trips you’ll ever take.
12. Mendocino Headlands State Park
95460, Mendocino, CA 95460, USA
- Location: Mendocino, CA 95460
- Wow Factor: Springtime brings vivid wildflowers and winter brings whale watching!
- Need To Know: There are no rails on the cliffs. Please watch your step while taking in the amazing views.
If you’re looking for a seaside hike with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, come to Mendocino! One of the favorite things to do in Mendocino Headlands State Park is whale watching during the winter. It’s also a lot of fun to explore the tide pools and see what kind of tiny marine organisms you can find. This place is a haven for photographers and you’ll see why if you hike the Mendocino Headlands Trail. This is one of the best state parks in Northern California in spring!
Little-Known State Parks In Northern California
We have so many stupendous state parks in The Golden State that it’s no surprise that some of them may fall under the radar and not get the love they deserve. How many state parks in Northern California are there? Over 100! There are tons of beautiful hidden gems waiting for you to discover them and they are no less grand than the ones we’ve shared already. Come along and see some splendid little-known state parks in Northern California.
13. Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 N Bloomfield Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
- Location: 23579 N Bloomfield Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959
- Wow Factor: The very first environmental protection legislation was created here in 1884!
- Need To Know: Don’t follow your GPS in this area as it can lead to dirt roads that are not recommended for travel. Especially avoid North Bloomfield Road and Relief Hill Road.
This park is aptly named as a lot of digging has gone on over the years in this historic mining area. Among the things to do in Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is to see the largest hydraulic mining site in the state. There’s also a ghost town called Bloomfield City which is packed with Gold Rush historical sites. Hiking in the area will show you the exposed layers of sediment that date back 50 million years.
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14. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
4824 Lake County Hwy #4774, Calistoga, CA 94515, USA
- Location: 4824 Lake County Hwy #4774, Calistoga, CA 94515
- Wow Factor: This park was named after the author who wrote Treasure Island!
- Need To Know: This park gets especially crowded in the spring due to its lush display of wildflowers.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because this park was named after the author who wrote famous works like Treasure Island and Kidnapped. He spent his honeymoon here and you can visit the site where his cabin once stood. One of the things to do in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is to hike among the vast, otherworldly rock formations. You can also get magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay Area and even see far-off Mt. Shasta!
15. Tolowa Dunes State Park
Kellogg Rd, Crescent City, CA 95531
- Location: Kellogg Rd, Crescent City, CA 95531
- Wow Factor: There are several ecosystems packed into this park including ocean beach, river, open and vegetated sand dunes, wooded ridges, and wetlands!
- Need To Know: If you camp here, know that while the days are often warm and temperate, the night can get rather cold, so bring some warm clothes.
This is one of the most ecologically diverse places in California and it’s just a short drive from Crescent City. You’ll find sand dunes and wetlands right next to the ocean and you’ll get some of the most memorable views here. One of the best things to do in Tolowa Dunes State Park is horseback riding. There’s even a special trail for it! Sometimes you can see grey whales migrating and the diversity of wildlife here matches that of the whole area.
This list should get you started on exploring all the natural beauty in Northern California. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. How many of these state parks in Northern California have you been to? Let us know about which ones you think are the best state parks in Northern California in the comments. After reading this list, you must be itching for a good hike! Check out our list of the best hiking trails in Northern California.
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