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What is Siskiyou County Known For? A Local’s Guide to the Area

BySherry Arkfeld Updated on

When people picture California, they usually think of beaches, movie stars, and city traffic. But Siskiyou County is a whole different world.

Up in the far northern edge of California, right along the Oregon border, Siskiyou County is known for Mount Shasta, Gold Rush history, small towns, outdoor adventure, and a way of life that’s still tied to the land.

I grew up in Yreka and recently moved back after years away. What stands out to me now is how different this place feels from the rest of California.

Here, people still know their neighbors. Town festivals are a big deal. You can drive 20 minutes and end up at a waterfall, an old mining town, a mountain lake, or a trail where you might not see another person all day.

If you’re wondering what Siskiyou County is known for, these are the things that define it.

Mount Shasta

A stunning view of snow-covered Mount Shasta rising above a dense forest of pine trees and rolling green hills under a clear blue sky. The foreground includes sparse, leafless branches and grassy terrain, contrasting beautifully with the mountain’s icy peak in the distance.

For most people, the answer starts with Mount Shasta.

The mountain rises more than 14,000 feet above the surrounding valleys, and you can see it from all over the county. It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks in Northern California and the reason many people make their first trip here.

People come to Mount Shasta for all kinds of reasons.

  • Hiking and climbing.
  • Skiing and snowboarding in winter.
  • Swimming, kayaking, and camping in summer.
  • Spiritual retreats and wellness travel.
  • Simply seeing the mountain in person.

Even if you never set foot on a trail, it’s hard not to be impressed by it. One of my favorite views is from Lake Siskiyou on a calm morning when the mountain reflects in the water. I’ve seen it dozens of times, and it never gets old.

Outdoor Recreation

Person wearing sunglasses, a gray T shirt, jeans, and hiking boots stands with hands on hips on a large rock overlooking a forested mountain landscape. Tall pine trees frame the scene beneath a bright blue sky streaked with thin white clouds.
Hiking Mt. Shasta Ski Park

Siskiyou County is known for being one of the best places in California if you like spending time outside.

The county is huge, more than 6,000 square miles, and much of it is forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers. There are hundreds of places to explore, from easy roadside stops to remote backcountry trails.

Hiking

There are hiking trails all over the county. Some of the most popular include:

  • Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir.
  • The McCloud Falls trail near McCloud.
  • Castle Lake and Heart Lake near Mount Shasta.
  • Panther Meadows on Mount Shasta.
  • The Pacific Crest Trail, which runs through the county near Etna.

The nice thing about hiking here is that there are a ton of options. You can do a five-minute walk to a waterfall or spend an entire day climbing to an alpine lake.

Lakes and Rivers

A shaded forest trail winding through tall trees and scattered moss-covered rocks, in a park near Dunsmuir, California. The ground is covered with dry leaves and pine needles, and a glimpse of a river can be seen through the trees on the right, adding to the serene, natural atmosphere of the woodland path.
Sacramento River at Dunsmuir City Park

The lakes and rivers are a huge part of what makes Siskiyou County special.

Lake Siskiyou is probably the best-known lake in the county. People go there to swim, paddleboard, kayak, picnic, camp, and walk the shoreline trail.

Other favorites include

  • Castle Lake for swimming and kayaking.
  • Kangaroo Lake for camping and fishing.
  • Medicine Lake for boating and lava rock scenery.
  • The McCloud River for waterfalls and fishing.
  • The Klamath River for rafting and salmon fishing.

The McCloud River is especially well known for trout fishing. The Klamath River draws people from all over the West for salmon and steelhead.

Winter Sports

A lot of people are surprised by how much snow Siskiyou County gets.

Mount Shasta Ski Park is one of the county’s biggest attractions in winter. It’s smaller and more laid back than the big Tahoe resorts, which is part of why locals love it. You can ski, snowboard, snowshoe, tube, or just play in the snow.

There are also cross-country ski trails around Mount Shasta, McCloud, and the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center.

Gold Rush History

Narrow mining cart rails run across a dusty clearing toward a small collapsed mine entrance built into a hillside in the forest. A flat metal mining cart sits on the tracks in the foreground, surrounded by scattered wooden beams and tall pine trees.
Greenhorn Park

Siskiyou County is known for its Gold Rush history, especially around Yreka.

Gold was discovered here in the early 1850s, and Yreka quickly turned into one of the largest mining towns in Northern California. Even today, downtown Yreka still looks a lot like an old Gold Rush town.

You’ll find

  • Historic brick buildings along Miner Street.
  • The old Siskiyou County Courthouse.
  • Gold Rush-era homes and storefronts.
  • Museums and old cemeteries.
  • Mining exhibits and historic parks.

One of the best places to learn about the area’s history is the Siskiyou County Museum in Yreka. It’s small, but it’s one of my favorite museums in the county because it actually explains what life here was like.

There are old mining tools, ranching exhibits, Native American artifacts, and local history displays.

Greenhorn Park in Yreka is another interesting spot. Besides the lake and walking trails, there are old mine shafts and mining displays tucked into the park.

Native American History and Culture

Jagged black volcanic rocks and dry brush cover a hillside overlooking a wide valley in the distance. Low mountains sit beneath a thick layer of gray clouds, giving the landscape a stark and windswept appearance.
Lava Beds

Long before there were miners or ranchers, Siskiyou County was home to Native American tribes, including the Karuk, Shasta, Modoc, Klamath, and Yurok.

Their history is still an important part of the county.

You see it in place names, local museums, artwork, and annual events. You also see it in the landscape itself. Many places in Siskiyou County have been important to Native communities for generations.

One of the most important historical sites is Lava Beds National Monument near Tulelake.

During the Modoc War in the 1870s, the Modoc people used the lava rock terrain to defend themselves. Today, you can visit Captain Jack’s Stronghold and walk through the same rugged landscape.

Lava Beds is also known for its lava tube caves. There are more than 700 caves in the monument, and many are open for visitors to explore.

Small Towns With Strong Personalities

a quiet sidewalk scene in downtown Weed, California, featuring a covered walkway with black wrought-iron supports and hanging lamps. The sidewalk is paved with brick, and storefronts line the left side while the street on the right is nearly empty, with a few parked cars and buildings in bright blues and whites under a clear sky. In the distance, pine-covered hills and a glimpse of a snow-capped mountain can be seen.
Downtown Weed

One of the things people remember most about Siskiyou County is the towns.

They may be small, but they each have their own personality.

Yreka

Yreka is the largest town in the county and the county seat. It’s known for Gold Rush history, historic buildings, local events, and being the main hub for shopping and restaurants.

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta is known for outdoor recreation, wellness retreats, crystal shops, hiking, and mountain views.

Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir is known for railroad history, fly fishing, old hotels, and its small downtown. It hosts some great annual festivals and is one of my favorite places to wander for an afternoon.

McCloud

McCloud is known for its old lumber town history, historic downtown, nearby waterfalls, and the annual McCloud Mushroom Festival.

Weed

Weed is known for its funny name, old lumber history, and one of the best views of Mount Shasta anywhere in the county. It also has some good coffee shops and local restaurants.

Scott Valley

Scott Valley, including Etna and Fort Jones, is known for ranches, mountain scenery, the Pacific Crest Trail, and a slower pace of life.

Happy Camp

Happy Camp is known for Bigfoot.

There are Bigfoot statues around town, a Bigfoot museum, and every Labor Day weekend, the town hosts the Bigfoot Jamboree. It’s one of the strangest and most fun events in the county.

Festivals and Local Events

rightly colored carnival game booth lined with hanging stuffed animals including pigs, penguins, and cartoon characters. Several people sit at water gun stations aimed at circular targets along the counter while neon lights glow inside the midway game.
Siskiyou Golden Fair

Siskiyou County is known for small-town events that people actually care about.

These aren’t huge festivals created for tourists. They’re community traditions that bring everyone together.

Golden City Days in Yreka

Held every Father’s Day weekend, Golden City Days celebrates Yreka’s Gold Rush history with a parade, live music, craft booths, food, and gold panning.

Siskiyou Golden Fair

The Siskiyou Golden Fair is one of the county’s biggest annual events. It includes livestock shows, carnival rides, concerts, rodeos, and plenty of fair food.

Weed Carnevale

Weed Carnevale takes place in July and includes food, vendors, live music, and family activities.

McCloud Mushroom Festival

Every spring, McCloud celebrates the area’s wild mushrooms with guided walks, food, music, and local vendors.

Dunsmuir Railroad Days

This June festival celebrates the town’s railroad history with live music, historic displays, a car show, and railroad-themed events.

Blackberry Music Festival

Held in Mount Shasta over Labor Day weekend, this festival combines live music, blackberry desserts, and local vendors.

Bigfoot Jamboree

Happy Camp’s Bigfoot Jamboree is one of the county’s most unusual events. There are parades, games, music, and lots of Bigfoot-themed fun.

A Rural Way of Life

A stone archway entrance made of multicolored masonry blocks, with the words "YREKA PARK 1921" engraved across the top and "SISKIYOU" carved into the horizontal stone panel beneath. The arch opens to a green park with tall evergreen trees, a drinking fountain, and a small green building in the distance. The scene is well-lit, suggesting a sunny day.

Siskiyou County is also known for ranches, farms, and a more rural way of life.

Drive through Scott Valley or the areas around Montague, and you’ll see cattle, hay fields, barns, and open space.

Agriculture and ranching are still an important part of the local economy. So are logging, tourism, and small businesses.

This is one of the reasons Siskiyou County feels different from so many other places in California. It hasn’t been built up or turned into a resort area. Most of the county still feels wild, quiet, and local.

So What Is Siskiyou County Known For?

If you want the short answer, Siskiyou County is known for:

  • Mount Shasta
  • Outdoor adventure
  • Gold Rush history
  • Small towns
  • Rivers, lakes, and waterfalls
  • Local festivals
  • Native American history
  • A slower, more rural way of life

What makes Siskiyou County different is that none of these things feel staged. The towns are real towns. The festivals are for the people who live here. The history is still visible. And the mountain, rivers, forests, and open spaces are still the reason so many of us stay.

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Sherry Arkfeld

Sherry Arkfeld was raised in Siskiyou County, California. She's been back full time for over two years and is here to help others discover all this beautiful Northern California County has to offer.