If you enjoy swimming, hiking, fishing or just looking at spectacular natural beauty, then the McCloud River in the Shasta National Forest is your paradise. You can visit three impressive waterfalls on one 4-mile hike. The river is spring-fed and runs cold but it’s a great way to cool off in the hot summer months. The lower falls are perfect for diving and swimming in deep, blue pools. Middle McCloud Falls is the largest waterfall at 50 ft. high and 100 ft. wide. Just five more minutes up the trial, meander down a side-path to the base of the 30-ft. upper falls—another great swimming spot. Although not for the novice, the McCloud River is also a great place to try your hand at fly-fishing for local trout.
Keep an eye on children on this trail as there are steep cliffs near the upper falls.
WHERE: Take Hwy 89 east from I-5 to McCloud, continue 5.5 miles east to the Fowler’s Camp and Lower Falls sign, turn right and drive 1.2 miles to the lower falls picnic area. To drive to Middle Falls and Upper Falls, turn left on the road before Fowlers Camp and follow the signs. (google map)
MORE INFO: McCloud Ranger Station, 530-964-2184