01
Best overall pick
Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail – Campo Seco Staging Area
Just North Of Campo Seco • Rolling Foothill River Trail • Closest To Town
A classic Gold Country ramble through open grasslands and blue oaks above the Mokelumne River.
From the Campo Seco staging area, you can mix and match out-and-backs along the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail to build anything from a quick leg-stretcher to a half-day hike. Expect broad views over Lake Camanche, grazing cattle, wildflowers in spring, and plenty of sun, so start early on hot days and carry more water than you think you need.
02
Best water views
Lake Camanche Shoreline Trails
Lake Camanche North And South Shores • Open Lakeside Path Network • Best For Wide-Open Views
Gentle lakeside paths trace coves and peninsulas with constant views of the water and distant foothills.
Both the North and South Shore recreation areas have informal trail networks that follow the lake edge and low ridges, giving you plenty of options for out-and-back or lollipop loops. It is an easy place to combine a morning hike with fishing, paddling, or a picnic, and the open terrain makes for big-sky sunsets over the water. Wind can whip across the lake in the afternoons, so layers are handy even on warm days.
03
Best family-friendly walk
New Hogan Lake – River of Skulls Trail
New Hogan Lake Near Valley Springs • Short Interpretive Lakeside Loop • Best For Families
A mellow loop near the dam with interpretive signs, oak shade, and views over the Calaveras River and New Hogan Lake.
The River of Skulls Trail is an easy loop tucked below the dam, with a well-marked path that kids and casual walkers handle easily. Interpretive panels explain local geology, wildlife, and the history of the Calaveras River, making it feel more like a stroll through an outdoor classroom than a workout. For a longer outing, you can link nearby lakeside paths or explore other signed trails around New Hogan.
04
Best cultural stop
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park Trails
Volcano Area, Highway 88 Corridor • Shady Meadow And Forest Trails • Best Mix Of History And Scenery
Short wooded loops circle meadows, Miwok cultural sites, and a remarkable bedrock full of acorn grinding holes.
This small state park is as much about story as scenery, with easy trails that wander from the museum and reconstructed village out through oak meadows and into mixed conifer forest. You can pair a gentle walk with time at the grinding rock itself and a visit inside the traditional roundhouse for a deeper sense of the region’s Native history. Elevation is a bit higher here than at the reservoirs, so it often feels cooler on hot summer days.
05
Best summer cool-down
Natural Bridges Trail
Between Vallecito And Columbia • Steep River-Canyon Out-And-Back • Best Adventurous Outing
A short but steep trail drops into a limestone canyon where a clear creek flows through a natural rock tunnel.
The Natural Bridges Trail is a local favorite when the heat ramps up, rewarding a hot climb back to the car with a cold swim in the shaded creek. The path descends through oak woodland to a narrow canyon where the water has carved a cave-like rock arch you can wade or float through when flows are safe. Expect a busy scene on summer weekends, and bring sturdy footwear for the rocky creekbed plus plenty of water for the climb out.