Cool Off This Summer With A Visit To These 7 Northern California Waterfalls
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Emerson
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The summer months can bring extreme temperatures to California, which makes staying inside in the cool air conditioning a tempting prospect. One way to keep cool while spending time outdoors is to seek out one of these refreshing waterfalls. This list consists of some of the best waterfalls you can seek out in Northern California during summertime. From waterfall swimming holes to humongous cascades, pick one of these beauties to find for yourself before summer ends!
Dubbed "the Niagara Falls of Northern California" when we previously covered it, Rainbow Falls is a stunner of a cascade along the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. At 101-feet tall, the waterfall's towering curtain of water is an amazing sight! Best of all, the waterfall's mist reliably creates a visible rainbow. Rainbow Falls is part of Devils Postpile National Monument and is accessible via a 1.5-mile hiking trail.
Is there a better way to keep cool than by swimming underneath a waterfall? We don't think so. This magical spot is known as God's Bath and it consists of a natural pool at the base of a spectacular little waterfall. Tucked away in the Stanislaus National Forest, finding the waterfall does take some effort - the hike down to it is quite steep. However, if you can manage, you'll be rewarded handsomely with an idyllic swimming spot unlike any other. Check out our previous article to learn more.
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Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of unique natural features, most notably of a volcanic variety. However, the park also contains a delightful waterfall that you'll want to seek out. It's nearly a 3-mile out-and-back trail to Kings Creek Falls and it's worth every step. The waterfall tumbles for 40-feet over a maze of moss-covered boulders, making for a fantastic sight. See the full article to learn how you can find this beauty and see it for yourself.
This is a fun one! Hedge Creek Falls is a gorgeous waterfall in Dunsmuir with a unique setting and history. After a short hike through a wooded area, you'll arrive at the waterfall which seems to pour right over the entrance to a cave. Visitors can walk behind the waterfall for a different perspective and explore the cave (which was a notable hideout for train robbers back in the day.) See our article on Hedge Creek Falls for the full scoop.
Not all of Northern California's waterfalls require a hike to see them. In fact, this one is conveniently located right along Highway 49 and it makes for a quick detour. Loves Falls is easily accessible from the Pacific Crest Trail. Visitors are known to hike down to the falls to enjoy the swimming hole beneath it. Please use caution when making the hike. The hike down to the falls is quite rugged. For more information, take a look at our previous article.
A waterfall that's beautiful year-round, Cataract Falls is a breathtaking cascade in a scenic forest setting. The moderate hike to the falls is about three miles long and takes you through a lush landscape that's filled with small waterfalls and lots of greenery. The trail leads to an inspiring vantage point of the waterfall's meandering cascade that's sure to leave you in awe. Learn more by checking out the full article.
Considered one of Northern California's most beautiful waterfalls, Burney Falls gets a lot of attention and it's no wonder why. Hiding in a tucked-away setting, the waterfall's multitude of streams is a sight like no other. We can definitely see why it led President Theodore Roosevelt to declare this spot the "Eighth Wonder of the World." It's so worth braving the summer crowds to check out this dreamy waterfall! For more information, head over to our previous article.
How many of these fantastic Northern California waterfalls have you seen? Sound off in the comments below!
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