Ney Springs River Access

The Upper Sacramento River flows out of Lake Siskiyou at Box Canyon Dam. From that point, the river plunges between the steep walls of Box Canyon. These walls are basically unscalable, except that kayaking fanatics string lines so that they can rope down to water level.  

Sacramento River, at Ney Springs River Access

 

A couple miles down these high walls of rock is the northernmost access to the river, named after nearby Ney Springs. The access road is dirt, well-maintained, with several switchbacks; a small parking lot is at the bottom.

Meadow at Ney Springs River Access, with a solitary
campsite in the trees

Bank fishing is available, and I have seen photos that purport to show people wading in the river here. At the parking lot, the way down to the river is steep, so I guess that the waders have found a path that’s easy to travel.



If you have time and are up to a little hiking, nearby attractions are Ney Springs themselves, Ney Springs Creek, and the remains of Ney Springs Resort (now largely devoured by the forest). These places are named after John Ney, who discovered the springs in 1887. Also nearby is the ethereal Faery Falls. A good guide is at http://www.summitpost.org/ney-springs-canyon/694710 

Directions:

Turn left at the sign to go to Ney Springs
River Access; turn right to go the old resort
site and Faery Falls.

Interstate 5 exit: Central Mount Shasta (Exit 738), 219 miles north of downtown Sacramento.
Route: Go west from the freeway. Turn left on Old Stage Road. Turn right on W.A. Barr Road, cross over Box Canyon Dam, then turn left on Castle Lake Road. Take the first available left turn on a dirt road and travel 1.25 miles, then turn left at the sign that reads Cantara / Ney Springs Wildlife Area.

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