Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park in California, USA - map and visitor information

Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park in northeastern California requires a boat journey before the walking begins. Spring-fed water meets broken lava along the shore, with primitive camping beyond the launch. Plan the return crossing as carefully as the time on land.

Highlights

• Explore the meeting of freshwater springs and basalt shorelines.
• Learn about Ajumawi fishing traditions and management of spring-fed waters.
• Combine a boat approach with a walk on marked backcountry trails.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water. The brochure warns about cold water and uneven lava and calls for life jackets. Stay on marked trails, wear sturdy footwear, and leave your route and return plan with someone ashore.

Visit responsibly

Dogs are not allowed in the park. Leave fish traps and other cultural features undisturbed. Do not move shoreline stones to create a landing or improve a photograph.

Reservations and permits

The official first-come camping list includes Ahjumawi’s boat-in sites. Register and pay locally as directed. Have a backup plan; a general reservation page showing no inventory does not confirm campsite availability.

Maps, location, and access

From Highway 299 in McArthur, follow Main Street north past the fairgrounds toward Rat Farm’s dirt-road boat launch. The road ends before the park. Shallow water limits suitable boats; confirm access conditions rather than assuming a large powerboat can reach camp.

Nearby parks

• McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is reached by road at 24898 Highway 89 near Burney after returning to the launch.
• Castle Crags State Park is a longer onward drive to 20022 Castle Creek Road in Castella. It has a separate road entrance.

Things to do

• Paddle: Explore the spring-fed margins while allowing enough time and energy for the return.
• Hike: Select a marked route from the landing; rough lava can make progress slower than distance suggests.
• Study the shoreline: The fish traps relate to Ajumawi management of fish populations, not simply old stone walls.

Facilities and accessibility

Primitive camping areas lie at Ja She Creek, Crystal Springs and Horr Pond. The park brochure and map describe an accessible dock and restroom at Horr Pond. Confirm their present condition and the boat transfer requirements; that description does not make the lava trails accessible.

About this park

History

Ajumawi people continue to live in this region. Stone fish traps used cold spring flows to concentrate fish and support spawning. California acquired the park land in 1975 with help from Ivy Horr. Preservation includes cultural sites as well as volcanic terrain.

Wildlife and habitat

Spring-fed water supports fish such as Sacramento suckers and trout. Ospreys and American white pelicans use the wider wetland landscape, while juniper woodland borders parts of the lava. Observe without approaching nests or disturbing shoreline features.

Contact

Call 530-335-2777. Check the official park page for access and current posted orders.