If your idea of a California road trip involves more than sitting in traffic on the 101, there’s a 250-mile loop through the state that makes a pretty compelling case for taking the long way around.
The Northern California Waterfall Loop starts and ends in Redding, winding through the Southern Cascades and connecting nine waterfalls along the way. The route can be tackled in two to four days, with plenty of opportunities to turn a waterfall stop into a swim, hike, picnic, or small-town detour. Oh, and it’s widely considered one of the prettiest in the state, as Travel + Leisure reports.
How to drive Northern California’s Waterfall Loop
Start in Redding and head east on Highway 299 to Potem Falls, a 60-foot cascade with a swimming hole. Continue to Burney Falls, where a 129-foot waterfall pours over a basalt cliff inside McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
Take CA-89 south to McCloud Falls, where Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls offer swimming and picnic spots. Then hike to Faery Falls, passing the ruins of the former Ney Springs Resort, before continuing to Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir, which has a cave behind the waterfall.
Head back toward Redding, stopping at Crystal Creek Falls and Whiskeytown Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. If you have extra time, add kayaking, paddleboarding, or fishing before completing the loop in Redding.
When is the best time to visit
Spring is one of the best times to take the route, when snowmelt boosts waterfall flows, and wildflowers start appearing throughout the landscape. Summer is warmer and makes swimming particularly appealing, but it also brings more visitors.
For fewer crowds, consider fall, when the forests pick up vibrant seasonal color, and the roads become quieter. Winter can be beautiful too, but snow and seasonal road closures around Mount Shasta can make your drive more challenging.
What you need to know before you go
Despite its official-sounding name, the Waterfall Loop isn’t a single signed highway. You’ll need to plan your stops and check road conditions before setting out.
With Burney Falls on your itinerary, note that day-use vehicle reservations are required from May through September. Some waterfalls also require a hike, so bring proper footwear, water, and anything else you need for a day outdoors.
And, as always, leave the waterfalls exactly as you found them: pack out your trash, stay on designated trails, and skip the souvenir rocks.
