CALIFORNIA’S HIDDEN GEM

Where the mountains meet the valley

Tucked away in Northeastern California, between the towering peaks of Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak, lies the breathtaking Inter-Mountain area—a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

This rugged and beautiful region weaves together three distinct landscapes—the Fall River Valley, Big Valley, and the Burney Basin—creating a playground of wide-open spaces, winding waterways, and endless horizons. Around every turn, you’ll find untouched scenery, roaming wildlife, and a sense of adventure that invites you to explore a little further and stay a little longer.

Discover Adventure

FISHING

EXPLORE

The Inter-Mountain Area is a mecca for outdoor recreation with several lakes and rivers, including the Fall River and Hat Creek, which are home to world class trout fishing. The other lakes and rivers in the area are also a host to bass, carp, and bluegill. If you would rather watch the fish than catch them, you might enjoy a visit to the Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery where you can take a self-guided tour during business hours.

CRYSTAL LAKE FISH HATCHERY

BURNEY FISHING GUIDE

KAYAKING

EXPLORE

The calm waters of Big Lake and Horr Pond are perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Taking in the scenery via watercraft allows for access to north side of the lake where you can view the crystal clear spring water of Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park. Baum Lake is also a great location for kayaking as it is known for its scenic shoreline. If you are feeling more adventurous you can take to the whitewater of the Pit River below the Pit 1 Powerhouse or go boating at Fall River Lake or Lake Britton.

KAYAKING/CANOEING FALL RIVER

HIKING

EXPLORE

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park offers 5 miles of beautiful hiking trails that wind through evergreens, the springs from which Burney Creek originates, follows the creek, and a portion of the Lake Britton shoreline. The most spectacular of the hikes lead you directly to the 129 ft waterfall that is Burney Falls. There 100 million gallons of water flow over the falls every day.

For the more adventurous hiker, a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail meanders through the Inter-Mountain area from Old Station through McArthur-Burney Falls State Park.

MCARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS MEMORIAL STATE PARK

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION

FALL RIVER RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

GOLFING

EXPLORE

If you enjoy playing a round or two then look no further than the Fall River Valley Golf & Country Club. A luscious 18 hole golf course; it offers wide fairways, an excellent pace of play, and was rated 4 stars by Golf Digest.

FALL RIVER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

BIKING

EXPLORE

The Inter-Mountain area offers varied terrain and beautiful scenery for mountain biking and cycling. “The area offers many opportunities to ride in solitude with commanding views of two of California’s famous volcanoes: Mt Shasta to the northwest and Lassen Peak to the south.”

FALL RIVER CENTURY BIKE RIDE

BURNEY FALL RIVER BICYCLE ASSOCIATION

CAVING

EXPLORE

Explore the underground world of the Subway Cave. A lava tube that stretches for about 1/3 of a mile, that doesn’t require a hard hat or army crawling. The cave is an example of the volcanic activity that has occurred in the area.

SUBWAY CAVE

 

ASTRONOMY

EXPLORE

That’s right, we said astronomy. The clear mountain skies offer a great location for observing the stars and other celestial objects. Not only do we think so, but so does the organization, SRI, an organization who funds astronomy related research. SRI manages the Hat Creek Radio Observatory which is open for self-guided tours during business hours.

“Hat Creek Radio Observatory is a cutting-edge radio astronomy, satellite tracking, and research services. The ATA is a 42-dish radio telescope that can operate as a snapshot camera, rapidly surveying large swaths of the sky. It operates over multiple frequency bands concurrently. The ATA can also operate as a single large dish (by pointing all dishes in the same direction) or as 42 independent dishes (looking in different areas of the sky simultaneously).”

HAT CREEK RADIO OBSERVATORY

LESS THAN 1.5 HOURS AWAY

EXPLORE FOWLER FALLS

Three spectacular waterfalls with a trail bordering the clear and cool McCloud River.

MT. SHASTA TRAIL ASSOCIATION

EXPLORE MT. SHASTA

“A potentially active volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County. At an elevation of 14,179 feet (4321.8 m), it is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth-highest in California.”

MT. SHASTA

EXPLORE LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

“Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land. Lassen Volcanic offers opportunities to discover the wonder and mysteries of volcanoes and hot water for visitors willing to explore the undiscovered.”

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

EXPLORE THE LAVA BEDS

“Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 700 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you!”

LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT