While active volcanoes spewing hot molten lava in Northern California are a thing of the past, you’ll still find many signs of the state’s volcanic past in the form of geysers, craters, and hot springs. Explore these remarkable sites for a glimpse into California’s geological history.
- Mount Shasta
Anna/Flickr This mountain north of Redding stands so tall that it is visible from almost anywhere in Northern California. But many don’t know that Mount Shasta is actually a volcano, and it last erupted in 1786. Hike this snow-capped magnificence for an unforgettable experience.
- Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Sathish J./Flickr This one-million-year-old lake is lined with ghostly tufa towers that will make you feel like you’re actually on planet Mars. Plenty of trails criss-cross through the area, so take a stroll and admire the cinder cones and obsidian that are aplenty at this magnificent reserve.
- Lava Beds National Monument
tjflex2/Flickr Molten earth makes up this amazing attraction that has more than 700 caves. The tubes that were left behind when the lava cooled are definitely worth exploring. And no matter how warm it gets outside, the caves stay cool year-round.
- Lassen Volcanic State Park
Theo Crazzolara/Flickr The quintessential volcanic destination in Northern California has sulphur vents, hot springs, and mud pots. They remind us that although the volcano last erupted over a century ago in 1914, volcanic activity persists far beneath the earth’s surface.
- Hot Springs Near Mammoth Lakes
Joe Parks/Flickr Around 760,000 years ago, a volcano erupted, leaving behind the flat basin that holds the Mammoth Lakes today. The hot springs that were created in the process are something to experience, as many have been developed for safe dipping.
- Fossil Falls
Tyler Sprague/Flickr Despite the name, this destination contains neither fossils nor falls. Instead, you’ll find amazing lava formations that were formed when water from the Owens River interacted with flowing lava from a nearby eruption. For the past 20,000 years, this chasm of black lava has stood as a reminder of that time period.
- Amboy Crater
Tommaso Galli/Flickr Hike along the spot where basaltic lava once poured out, creating lava lakes, lava tubes, and spatter cones. The view from the 1508-foot rim of the crater will give you a 360-degree view of the surrounding Mojave Desert. Time your visit during the cooler months for a less strenuous trip up the crater.
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Anna/Flickr
This mountain north of Redding stands so tall that it is visible from almost anywhere in Northern California. But many don’t know that Mount Shasta is actually a volcano, and it last erupted in 1786. Hike this snow-capped magnificence for an unforgettable experience.
Sathish J./Flickr
This one-million-year-old lake is lined with ghostly tufa towers that will make you feel like you’re actually on planet Mars. Plenty of trails criss-cross through the area, so take a stroll and admire the cinder cones and obsidian that are aplenty at this magnificent reserve.
tjflex2/Flickr
Molten earth makes up this amazing attraction that has more than 700 caves. The tubes that were left behind when the lava cooled are definitely worth exploring. And no matter how warm it gets outside, the caves stay cool year-round.
Theo Crazzolara/Flickr
The quintessential volcanic destination in Northern California has sulphur vents, hot springs, and mud pots. They remind us that although the volcano last erupted over a century ago in 1914, volcanic activity persists far beneath the earth’s surface.
Joe Parks/Flickr
Around 760,000 years ago, a volcano erupted, leaving behind the flat basin that holds the Mammoth Lakes today. The hot springs that were created in the process are something to experience, as many have been developed for safe dipping.
Tyler Sprague/Flickr
Despite the name, this destination contains neither fossils nor falls. Instead, you’ll find amazing lava formations that were formed when water from the Owens River interacted with flowing lava from a nearby eruption. For the past 20,000 years, this chasm of black lava has stood as a reminder of that time period.
Tommaso Galli/Flickr
Hike along the spot where basaltic lava once poured out, creating lava lakes, lava tubes, and spatter cones. The view from the 1508-foot rim of the crater will give you a 360-degree view of the surrounding Mojave Desert. Time your visit during the cooler months for a less strenuous trip up the crater.
