There’s no better way to spend your time than by exploring our Northern California state parks. However, what do you do after you’ve exhausted the most notable ones? Check out the lesser-known parks, of course! These underrated state parks in Northern California may not be as famous as our many redwoods-centric parks, but you’ll find that they still actually have a lot to offer. And better yet, you might just avoid the tourist crowds! Check them out.
- Manchester State Park
sk/Flickr Located in Mendocino County is a little known gem known as Manchester State Park. This place includes a breathtaking 18,000 feet of protected beachfront along State Route 1. Not only does this park boast epic coastal views but plenty of wildflowers and wildlife as well. Read more on California.gov. 44500 Kinney Rd, Manchester, CA 95459, USA
- Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
James Good/Flickr Located 26 miles northeast of Nevada City, this historic park is full of treasures. In fact, it’s home to the largest hydraulic mining site in California. Here you can see with your own eyes towering cliffs which have been carved by hydraulic mining in order to wash out gold. Along with preserving an important part of Gold Rush history, the park is comprised of over 3,200 acres and contains approximately 20 miles of scenic hiking trails. This place is a must for both nature and history enthusiasts. Read more on California.gov. 23579 N Bloomfield Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
- Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
daveynin/Flickr Located in Weaverville, the park is home to the oldest Chinese temple in all of California. Originally built in 1874, you’ll find all sorts of items such as weapons, mining tools, pictures, and more on display here. The temple is still a place of worship and acts as a reminder to the huge influence of California’s early Chinese immigrants. Read more on California.gov. 630 Main St, Weaverville, CA 96093, USA
- Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
harminder dhesi/Flickr Named after the famed author, this state park is situated within Sonoma, Napa, and Lake counties. The landscape is utterly gorgeous and in fact looks like it could be a scene out of a storybook. Covered in evergreen forests and overlooking humongous fields of green, the park’s most notable feature is Mount Saint Helena which boasts an incredible view of the Bay Area at the summit. Read more on California.gov. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, California 94515, USA
- Tolowa Dunes State Park
throgers/Flickr If wetlands are your thing, you’ll want to stop by Crescent City’s Tolowa Dunes State Park. Here you can find an ancient sand dune complex that contains several distinct ecological regions including ocean beaches, wooded areas, and stunning wetlands. Read more on California.gov. Tolowa Dunes State Park, Kellogg Rd, Crescent City, CA 95531, USA
- Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park
Erickson18/TripAdvisor Ahjumawi is one of the least visited parks in Northern California. However, that doesn’t mean that this place isn’t downright magical. The park probably goes unnoticed because the only way to get to it is by boat. This place is exceptionally beautiful, containing stunning tree-covered islets that are loaded with interesting lava formations. You’ll find this heavenly park located in McArthur. Read more on California.gov. Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, McArthur, CA 96056, USA
- Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park
Jai Hernandez/GoogleMaps Located in Chico, the Sacramento River is the highlight of this park. Here you’ll often find people fishing for steelhead, salmon, and shad. During the summertime, the river is great for floating on in inner tubes or kayaks. The park is an excellent example of a prime river habitat with endless natural beauty and wildlife. Read more on California.gov. 12105 River Rd, Chico, CA 95973, USA
How many of these underrated state parks have you been to? Tell us about your adventures in the comments.
sk/Flickr
Located in Mendocino County is a little known gem known as Manchester State Park. This place includes a breathtaking 18,000 feet of protected beachfront along State Route 1. Not only does this park boast epic coastal views but plenty of wildflowers and wildlife as well. Read more on California.gov.
44500 Kinney Rd, Manchester, CA 95459, USA
James Good/Flickr
Located 26 miles northeast of Nevada City, this historic park is full of treasures. In fact, it’s home to the largest hydraulic mining site in California. Here you can see with your own eyes towering cliffs which have been carved by hydraulic mining in order to wash out gold. Along with preserving an important part of Gold Rush history, the park is comprised of over 3,200 acres and contains approximately 20 miles of scenic hiking trails. This place is a must for both nature and history enthusiasts. Read more on California.gov.
23579 N Bloomfield Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
daveynin/Flickr
Located in Weaverville, the park is home to the oldest Chinese temple in all of California. Originally built in 1874, you’ll find all sorts of items such as weapons, mining tools, pictures, and more on display here. The temple is still a place of worship and acts as a reminder to the huge influence of California’s early Chinese immigrants. Read more on California.gov.
630 Main St, Weaverville, CA 96093, USA
harminder dhesi/Flickr
Named after the famed author, this state park is situated within Sonoma, Napa, and Lake counties. The landscape is utterly gorgeous and in fact looks like it could be a scene out of a storybook. Covered in evergreen forests and overlooking humongous fields of green, the park’s most notable feature is Mount Saint Helena which boasts an incredible view of the Bay Area at the summit. Read more on California.gov.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, California 94515, USA
throgers/Flickr
If wetlands are your thing, you’ll want to stop by Crescent City’s Tolowa Dunes State Park. Here you can find an ancient sand dune complex that contains several distinct ecological regions including ocean beaches, wooded areas, and stunning wetlands. Read more on California.gov.
Tolowa Dunes State Park, Kellogg Rd, Crescent City, CA 95531, USA
Erickson18/TripAdvisor
Ahjumawi is one of the least visited parks in Northern California. However, that doesn’t mean that this place isn’t downright magical. The park probably goes unnoticed because the only way to get to it is by boat. This place is exceptionally beautiful, containing stunning tree-covered islets that are loaded with interesting lava formations. You’ll find this heavenly park located in McArthur. Read more on California.gov.
Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, McArthur, CA 96056, USA
Jai Hernandez/GoogleMaps
Located in Chico, the Sacramento River is the highlight of this park. Here you’ll often find people fishing for steelhead, salmon, and shad. During the summertime, the river is great for floating on in inner tubes or kayaks. The park is an excellent example of a prime river habitat with endless natural beauty and wildlife. Read more on California.gov.
12105 River Rd, Chico, CA 95973, USA
Be sure to check out these hidden gems in Northern California for even more little-known destinations that you’re sure to love!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in Northern California January 15, 2022 Tori Jane What are some fun things to do outside in Northern California? Northern California is something of a natural playground. The great outdoors in this region is truly great; it’s home to some of the most incredible state and national parks (which are wonderful things to do outdoors). Northern California is also wonderful for all the outdoors must-dos like camping, hiking, fishing, climbing… the list goes on. If you can dream it, you can find a way to get it done in NorCal! For those who enjoy water-based recreation, never fear – there’s plenty of it here! Check out any of our stunning lakes or rivers and enjoy an afternoon of boating or kayaking. Tube the river (pick a river), or simply lounge by the sea all day long if you want (we suggest heading to Carmel by the Sea, which might be the cutest little town ever). NorCal is an experience, and anyone who truly wants to experience it is going to have to get used to loving the great outdoors. What are the best short hiking trails in Northern California? NorCal is easily one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. It’s truly breathtaking, with folks coming from all over the world to experience its majesty. And wouldn’t you know it, it also has some hiking trails that are short, sweet, scenic, and to the point (in this case, “short” is one mile in length or less). Some of our favorites include Glacier Point Trail, which is 0.6 miles of quite probably the most incredible views on this continent. We’re not exaggerating – it is utterly humbling. There’s also the Moro Rock Trail, which is nestled within Sequoia National Park. That one is a half-mile long, and it’s lovely. The Burney Falls Loop Trail leads to what might be Northern California’s most breathtaking waterfall; it’s just one mile long exactly, and it’s worth every step. For more of the most scenic hikes and short hiking trails in Northern California, check out this list of 15 of the best!
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks to Visit in Northern California
January 15, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some fun things to do outside in Northern California? Northern California is something of a natural playground. The great outdoors in this region is truly great; it’s home to some of the most incredible state and national parks (which are wonderful things to do outdoors). Northern California is also wonderful for all the outdoors must-dos like camping, hiking, fishing, climbing… the list goes on. If you can dream it, you can find a way to get it done in NorCal! For those who enjoy water-based recreation, never fear – there’s plenty of it here! Check out any of our stunning lakes or rivers and enjoy an afternoon of boating or kayaking. Tube the river (pick a river), or simply lounge by the sea all day long if you want (we suggest heading to Carmel by the Sea, which might be the cutest little town ever). NorCal is an experience, and anyone who truly wants to experience it is going to have to get used to loving the great outdoors. What are the best short hiking trails in Northern California? NorCal is easily one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. It’s truly breathtaking, with folks coming from all over the world to experience its majesty. And wouldn’t you know it, it also has some hiking trails that are short, sweet, scenic, and to the point (in this case, “short” is one mile in length or less). Some of our favorites include Glacier Point Trail, which is 0.6 miles of quite probably the most incredible views on this continent. We’re not exaggerating – it is utterly humbling. There’s also the Moro Rock Trail, which is nestled within Sequoia National Park. That one is a half-mile long, and it’s lovely. The Burney Falls Loop Trail leads to what might be Northern California’s most breathtaking waterfall; it’s just one mile long exactly, and it’s worth every step. For more of the most scenic hikes and short hiking trails in Northern California, check out this list of 15 of the best!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Northern California is something of a natural playground. The great outdoors in this region is truly great; it’s home to some of the most incredible state and national parks (which are wonderful things to do outdoors). Northern California is also wonderful for all the outdoors must-dos like camping, hiking, fishing, climbing… the list goes on. If you can dream it, you can find a way to get it done in NorCal! For those who enjoy water-based recreation, never fear – there’s plenty of it here! Check out any of our stunning lakes or rivers and enjoy an afternoon of boating or kayaking. Tube the river (pick a river), or simply lounge by the sea all day long if you want (we suggest heading to Carmel by the Sea, which might be the cutest little town ever). NorCal is an experience, and anyone who truly wants to experience it is going to have to get used to loving the great outdoors.
What are the best short hiking trails in Northern California?
NorCal is easily one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. It’s truly breathtaking, with folks coming from all over the world to experience its majesty. And wouldn’t you know it, it also has some hiking trails that are short, sweet, scenic, and to the point (in this case, “short” is one mile in length or less). Some of our favorites include Glacier Point Trail, which is 0.6 miles of quite probably the most incredible views on this continent. We’re not exaggerating – it is utterly humbling. There’s also the Moro Rock Trail, which is nestled within Sequoia National Park. That one is a half-mile long, and it’s lovely. The Burney Falls Loop Trail leads to what might be Northern California’s most breathtaking waterfall; it’s just one mile long exactly, and it’s worth every step. For more of the most scenic hikes and short hiking trails in Northern California, check out this list of 15 of the best!
