California's Hidden Paddler's Paradise Is A State Park With Volcanic Shores And Serene Springs

When it comes to state parks in the U.S., California leads the pack, with 280 government-owned preserves located throughout the state. These scenic spots offer everything from majestic mountain crags to beautiful beachside bliss, large lakefront campsites, and jaw-dropping desert scenery as found in the state's largest park, with incredible hiking adventures.

There's something for everyone in California's state parks, and while camping and hiking often take the front seat, kayaking and canoeing are also popular pastimes in the Golden State. So when it comes to slipping a small boat in the water and gliding through gorgeous, untamed natural surroundings, perhaps nowhere can compete with Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park.

Situated in Northern California between Mt. Shasta and Lassen Volcanic National Park, an underrated national park that's home to the world's largest plug volcano, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is home to one of the world's largest freshwater spring systems. Five major watersheds — the Tule River, Fall River, Big Lake, Ja She Creek, and Lava Creek — all converge here, creating an aquatic paradise perfect for anyone keen to dip a paddle in the water and explore. Not only is Ahjumawi a freshwater wonderland, but it's also surrounded by pine, oak, and juniper forests along with open stretches of grassland, sage, and rabbitbrush. The park also sits in the shadow of two of the Cascade Range's most iconic volcanoes, making for a landscape unlike any other.

Ahjumawi means "where the waters come together" in the indigenous language of the local Pit River Tribe, and has the distinction of being the only state park in California exclusively accessible by boat. Ahjuwami boasts clear waters, aquamarine bays, and little islets topped with trees. Visitors can put in at a public boat launch known as "Rat Farm" and then cross the lake to reach the park, which occupies 6,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness. Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is entirely roadless, and motorized watercraft are not allowed. These two things help guarantee that you'll never have to battle crowds.

While famous for its cool, pristine waters, due to its proximity to some of the Cascades most active volcanoes Ahjumawi is also known for its lava flows, which cover over two thirds of the site in sharp black basalt. There are also lava tubes and craters, giving the place an otherworldly feel, and reminding visitors of the area's tumultuous geological past. 

The land the park occupies is the ancestral home of Indigenous people, as evidenced by ceremonial sites and the prehistoric rock fish traps found throughout Ahjumawi, some of which are still in use today. The fact that the waters are home to thriving populations of rainbow trout also draws plenty of anglers to the park, who cast flies in hope of hooking into a lunker.

The fact that Ahjuwami is only accessible by boat doesn't mean that visitors are limited to just waterborne activities. The park also contains nine primitive campsites clustered in groups of three at Horr Pond, Crystal Springs, and Ja She Creek, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also several hiking paths for those seeking to work up a sweat on land, including the Spatter Cone Loop Trail, a 4-mile jaunt that features heart-soaring vistas of nearby Mt. Shasta and Lassen Peak.

It should come as no surprise that Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is also prime territory for birding, with plenty of great blue herons, bald eagles, and osprey, as well as waterfowl including swans, ducks, and Canadian geese. It's also not hard to spy other wildlife at Ahjumawi, as yellow-bellied marmots, coyotes, porcupines, and herds of mule deer call the park's forests home.

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park is just over an hour and a half east of Redding via Highway 299 to the town of McArthur. If you don't have your own gear, Headwaters Adventure Company in Redding has kayaks for rent, along with paddles and racks you can attach to the roof of your car. For more of California's state park wonder, check out these underrated destinations featuring hot springs, alpine vistas, and more.