From soaring redwood trees to hidden lakes, rugged mountain trails, volcanic hot springs, and more, California’s state parks are wonders of nature. Each possesses its own unique history and offers visitors a wealth of incredible features and recreational opportunities.

Following are three such state parks that you can explore over a long weekend road trip.

The total drive time between Castle Crags State Park, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, and Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is just over two hours.
Google Maps
But it would behoove you to take your time along the route, as there is so much beauty everywhere you look.
Castle Crags State Park

Located just 14 miles south of the City of Mount Shasta, Castle Crags State Park is regarded by some as one of The Golden State’s most picturesque state parks.
Thomas Shahan/Flickr
The topography is magnificent, featuring steep, soaring, rugged, granite peaks believed to be over 170 million years old. Running right through the park is the Sacramento River, along which visitors can fish and swim.
Hikers will be pleased to find approximately 28 miles of trails crisscrossing throughout the 4,350-acre park. One of them, Crags Trail, rises 2,200 feet.
Castle Crags State Park, 20022 Castle Creek Rd, Castella, CA 96017, USA
Joyce cory/Flickr
Castle Crags also has 76 developed campsites that are each equipped with a picnic table, food locker, and a fire ring. For your creature comforts, flush toilets, showers, and drinking water are available near each site.

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McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

The history of McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park dates back to the late 1800s when pioneer settlers named McArthur, and a colonist named Samuel Burney, resided here.
David Fulmer/Flickr
About an hour drive northeast of Redding, the park is located within the Cascade Range and encompasses approximately 910 acres of spectacular, verdant forest, part of a lake—Lake Britton—and oodles of shoreline, both along the lake and stream.
One of the highlights of a visit here is Burney Falls. Plunging 129-feet to a deep basin below, it is an awe-inspiring sight.
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park/Facebook
An astounding 100 million gallons of water flow through here every day, stemming from the many underground springs that merge here, forming the spectacular views and misty sprays that so many visitors enjoy year-round.
Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park

For the more adventurous traveler, there’s Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park. Located just north of Lassen National Forest and east of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, access to the park requires a 2.5-mile paddle by boat.
zug zwang/Flickr
The park carries lots of history. It is named after the Ahjumawi (pronounced Ah-joo-MAH-wee) Native American people who still inhabit the area today. The translation of their name is "Where the waters come together."
The park’s remote location gives rise to the rugged lava rock dotted throughout the backwoods' landscapes and thick vegetation.
Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, McArthur, CA 96056, USA
zug zwang/Flickr
The park also boasts one of the largest freshwater spring systems in the country, due to the almost half dozen creeks, lakes, and rivers that converge here. At sunset, the views are simply gorgeous and evoke emotions of a long-gone era when modern man had not yet populated the area.

When it comes to picturesque state parks, California is definitely home to some of the most beautiful. You’d be hard-pressed to visit them all, but these three should definitely be included on any California state park road trip list!

Have you been to any of these amazing Northern California state parks? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences there.

Are you looking for great places to camp? Then check out these Four Stunning California State Parks Where You Can Camp All Year-Round.

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