Fall River Mills, California

For six months of the year, from late April through October, we call Fall River Mills our home base for trout fishing. Fall River itself is a huge draw for fly fishers. Its crystal clear spring-fed waters are filled with big wild trout. But our float trips on Fall River are just one of many great fishing destinations in this area. In 20 minutes we can be on Hat Creek or Burney Creek. In 30 minutes we can be on the Pit River. In 40 minutes we are on the upper McCloud. In an hour we can fish the lower McCloud and some of our favorite small streams. On many of our guide trips we hit multiple fisheries in a single day. The variety of fly fishing opportunities that this area offers is amazing.

Fall River Valley is reminiscent of Montana's Big Sky Country. The fertile valley floor is surrounded by mountains, including the 14,262' Mt. Shasta. There are many parts of the valley from which you can see both Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen. Fall River Valley is a paradise for ranching, agriculture, fly fishing, birding, and waterfowl hunting. The communities of Fall River Mills and McArthur offer great options for meals and lodging. You can stay at a vacation rental on the river, at a riverside lodge, at a motel in town, or at one of the local RV Parks. Fall River Mills is just an hour and 15 minutes from Redding, but it feels like a whole other time zone.

Best Times to Come

Fall River and the surrounding fisheries are open from the last Saturday in April through mid-November. Fishing can be outstanding at any time during this six and a half month season. The Confluence Outfitters guide team works the Fall River Mills area from opening day through mid-October. View our Fall River page for more info on the timing of the hatches.

Traveling to Fall River Mills

By Car: Fall River Mills is about an hour and 15 minutes east of Redding on Highway 299. From Sacramento, travel north on I-5 and then take 299 East for a total of 3.5 hours driving. From the Bay Area, take 80 to 505 to 5 and then 299 for a drive time of 4 to 5 hours. From Mt. Shasta City, travel south on Highway 89 and cut over on McArthur Rd. Travel time is about an hour from Mt. Shasta City. From Reno, drive north on 395 to Susanville, then take 44 to 89 to 299. Travel time is about 3 hours from Reno.

By Air: The Redding Airport is served by United Express from San Francisco. These flights tend to be expensive. Most of our guests fly to Sacramento or Reno and rent a car.

By Private Plane: Some of our guests fly in to the Fall River Mills Airport. Our guides can pick you up at the airport, take you to the river, and drop you off at your hotel.

Recommended Hotels/Motels

Spinner Fall Lodge. Located at the upstream end of Fall River. Motel rooms are located right next to the restaurant and bar. Room rates include breakfast. 28076 Metzger Rd, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. 530-336-5300.

Fall River Hotel. Located right in Fall River Mills. Rooms are in a historic hotel that includes a restaurant and bar. 24860 Main St, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. (530) 336-5550

Hi-Mont Motel. Located right in Fall River Mills. 43021 Bridge St, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. (530) 336-5541

Camping and RV Parks

Intermountain Fair & RV Park. Right in McArthur, 3 miles from Fall River Mills. (530) 336-5694

Hat Creek Hereford Ranch RV Park & Campground. Approximately 45 minutes from Fall River Mills. 17855 Doty Road, Hat Creek, CA 96040. 530-335-7171.

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. RV and tent camping sites right next to the beautiful Burney Falls. 24898 California 89, Burney, CA 96013. (530) 335-2777

Recommended Dining

Crumbs. This is the best restaurant in town and a welcome surprise in this neck of the woods. Creative menu runs the gamut from steakhouse to sushi. 44226 California 299, McArthur, CA 96056. 530-336-5451.

Fall River Hotel. Typical American fare. Nice bar. 24860 Main St, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. (530) 336-5550

Local Fly Shops

Shasta Angler. Great fly selection with excellent local patterns. The shop is very well stocked with every fly fishing necessity from nippers to fly lines. 43503 California 299, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. 530-336-6600

Other Attractions

Fall River Valley Golf & Country Club. This is a highly regarded public course. Many of our guests combine a day of golf with their fishing trip. 42889 Highway 299 East, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. (530) 336-5555

Fort Crook Museum. Home to fascinating historic buildings and exhibits about early pioneer life. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. 43030 Fort Crook Museum Ave, Fall River Mills, CA 96028. (530) 336-5110

Ash Creek Wildlife Refuge. A great destination for birders. Also a great spot to see a pronghorn antelope. 659695 Hwy 299 E, Bieber, CA 96009. (530) 294-5824

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. Walk a one-mile loop that takes you above and below the famous 129-foot Burney Falls. Good fishing above and below the waterfall. 24898 California 89, Burney, CA 96013. (530) 335-2777

Subway Caves. These giant lava tubes are located close to Old Station on the way to Lassen Volcanic National Park. A great place for kids, but adults love it, too. Bring a headlamp and a sweatshirt!

Lassen Volcanic National Park. All four types of volcanoes in the world can be found inside Lassen Park. Great place for hiking and scenic driving. Good fishing at Manzanita Lake. About an hour south of Fall River Mills on Highway 89.