We "rented" the railroad for our daughter's birthday party, and it was fantastic. The guys who run…read moreit--on essentially a volunteer basis--were great with the kids. For $75 (a BARGAIN) they ran the train as our own private railroad for 4 hours. There are also some historical buildings (and a few re-creations) and old, retired, "real" trains (steam engine and a caboose) on the fairgrounds near the railroad--so there's some other cool stuff to see. (Note that you can't go in to any of these buildings outside of the annual Glenn County Fair in May.) There are several grassy areas and some picnic tables that served as lunch spots for our guests. PLUS there are restrooms near the train "depot" area--near the old train depot and 1-room school building. (The restrooms are old and small, but they were very clean and nicely maintained.) it looks like the railroad has had a few web pages over the years, but there hasn't been much updated lately and some are no longer up and running. However, as of the date of this review, you can find a little more information online at the following: http://onprailroad.tripod.com/ https://roadtrippers.com/us/orland-ca/points-of-interest/orland-newville-pacific-railroad?lat=40.80972&lng=-96.67528&z=5 A few minor considerations: The (short) tunnel was a little frightening for one or two of the very young (3 year old?) children. However, it's short enough that you can simply hug them to you for the 15-20 seconds required for this. Orland can be very hot in the middle of the summer, so a scheduled event could be canceled due to extreme heat conditions. (This would be a big disappointment, but nobody would have much fun if it's that hot.) You'll need to do some paperwork to get approval from the Glenn County Fairgrounds and the Orland Police, plus you'll need liability insurance (which you may have to purchase for the event), but it was all worth it. There are no restrooms at the usual picnic area (near the intersection of Papst & Yolo streets); the restrooms are about 100 yards away (near the old school and depot). This really isn't inconvenient, unless you have young children who need to go "right now!", and then that 2-minute walk could be a little too long.

My great nephews LOVE this place! Safe environment for the kids during 112* heat during Anderson…read moresummers!

River Splash is an enclosed space right next to the Anderson River Park parking lot on Hazel Drive…read more Inside the enclosed space are picnic tables and benches (two different shaded areas), and a few lounge seats with umbrellas randomly situated around the splash pad. There's also a drinking water fountain, and a restroom building with 4 pretty large and clean all-gender restrooms. Outside the enclosed area, the parking lot has several porta potties. And there are soccer fields and basketball courts right next to the water park, as well as large fields of grass, great for picnicking while also enjoying the splash pad. But be aware, there are no vending machines and no food/drinks on site (unless they have some sort of special event here). So come prepared with your own snacks. Relief from the heat! That's what this splash pad is all about. Of course the creative element, different types of fountains, and timing for each makes it fun for the kids to run around. There's even a pail in the middle that fills with water, then dumps it out for a giant splash to drench those underneath. But the splash pad is not just for kids. I ran through several times to cool down on this hot summer day in Anderson. With the 100+ degree weather all day and into the night, I'm not surprised they are open late, till 10pm. It looks pretty plain overall, but that's the beauty of it, you get wet, you cool off, you don't have to get involved with any fancy equipment... and if you go at night after dark, maybe you get to enjoy some colorful lighting as well. All of this free of cost, I think that's a pretty good deal.

I grew up right around the corner from this park! It's been apart of me my whole life…read more It's changed a lot over the years! There's a nice playground for the kids & BBQ'n area (I believe you have to make RSVP for this area), but it's great for family get together, or receptions! There is also the Mosquito Serenade during the summer; which has different live music everywhere & it's FREE! A dog park is available as well! 2 different areas. 1 for big dogs, 1 for little dogs! Little doggy pools available + and agility course! They also provide poop bags! Tennis courts also! There is a plethora of activities at this park! Including beautiful river walking trails!

Quiet and relaxing on weekday mornings. Plenty of fishing access. (Remember your steelhead card.)read more

Stopped by here a few years ago during winter and it still had snow, it was a hidden gem for sure,…read morebut scary hiking in the snow as you had to look for trail signs and make sure you dont accidentally walk into the areas you are not supposed to (dont want to walk over the thermal beds!)!! we used our snow shoes and hiking gear and it was a fun trip! Follow all the trail signs and bring plenty of water Read less

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Lassen Volcanic National Park was one of the biggest surprises. The drive into the park was beautiful, and despite evidence of recent wildfires in parts of the forest, the landscape is recovering and remains absolutely stunning. Nature has an incredible ability to heal, and seeing young trees growing alongside older burned areas was a reminder of how volcanic landscapes are constantly changing. Lassen is one of the few places in the world where you can experience all four types of volcanoes: shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. That alone makes it geologically fascinating, but what really impressed us was how much variety the park offers. One moment we were standing beside steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots that reminded us of a smaller, quieter version of Yellowstone. The smell of sulfur, the hissing steam, and the boiling earth beneath your feet make you appreciate that this landscape is still very much alive. The next moment we were hiking around peaceful alpine lakes with spectacular reflections of Lassen Peak mirrored in the crystal clear water. Manzanita Lake was especially beautiful, and seeing the volcano reflected on its calm surface was one of the highlights of our visit. We also loved exploring quieter trails to places like Lily Pond, where we could hike for long stretches while seeing only one or two other people. There is something special about having so much natural beauty almost entirely to yourself. For those who enjoy being on the water, the lakes are perfect for kayaking or simply sitting quietly and taking in the scenery. The combination of volcanic landscapes, mountain forests, meadows, lakes, and wildlife makes every part of the park feel different. We stayed in the nearby town of Chester, which turned out to be a charming little base for exploring the park. It has several good restaurants, friendly people, and everything we needed after long days of hiking. Lassen Volcanic National Park may not receive the attention of some of California's more famous parks, but it absolutely deserves it. It combines dramatic volcanic features with peaceful alpine beauty in a way that feels both exciting and calming at the same time. If you enjoy hiking, geology, photography, or simply discovering places that are a little less crowded, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hidden gem that should be on every national park lover's list.

Please! If you come here BE RESPECTFUL!! There's too many selfish people ignoring the signage…read more Dirty selfish hippies wading and bathing in the water despite signs everywhere saying not to. It's beautiful headwaters of the Sacramento River. The water is so tasty but these disrespectful people are going to ruin it. Don't come here if you can't be respectful to Mother Nature.

Gorgeous park with lots of shady areas, everyone here was extremely friendly! Coming back during…read moreour trip here!

I was traveling north on I5 with my 3 kids and stopped to take a break. This was an awesome stop…read morealbeit a bit off the freeway. Park was super clean and well kept and the water feature made the hot day bearable. Grab food beforehand and have a fun family picnic.

What an awesome park in such a small town! The playground area is great, very clean and so…read moreappealing to kids. The main fort is three stories tall and has plenty of interactive spots. There's a swing on a line that you can run and jump onto, very neat. A few interesting singular merry-go-rounds and a monkey bars set. There is plenty of grassy area all around and a cute water play area that you can turn on with the touch of a button. Definitely take your kids here!

We came here for a birthday party, and we had a blast! It was our first time coming, and it didn't…read morecost a lot of money for a family of five, to get in! We will definitely be back!

Great place for an affordable birthday party! They did have to shut down the kiddie pool for a half…read morehour or so but the kids were still occupied with the obstacle course and diving boards!

Oh my goodness, where to start! This place is amazing! Incredible setting, at the foot of the…read moreTrinity Alps - like something out of a magazine! And the food - go Friday nights for the biggest, juiciest ribeye steak you've ever had, along with amazing, delicious side dishes! But prepare yourself for a one-hour drive up a long, bumpy dirt road to get there - but it's well worth it!

All the other reviews (thus far every one 5 stars) are true and on point. There is no hyperbole and…read morethere is no way I can describe Mountain Meadow adequately. So let me take another tack and make sure that this is the place for you. First off, Mountain Meadow Resort isn't for everyone. If you can't be unplugged and off the grid, this place isn't for you. Seriously, there is no wi-fi, your smartphones are only useful as cameras because there is no cell signal, and the generator that provides electricity only runs from 6:30am to 11pm. Bookings typically go from Saturday to Saturday so if the prospect of not being able to check your texts, voicemail, e-mail and social media for a week gives you the heebee jeebees, then this place is not for you. Second, this place is remote. The resort is most definitely in the WILDerness. In the four years that I've gone I've come across black bears and been within spitting distance of a rattle snake, rattle going off, coiling and ready to strike. The nearest medical facility is 2 hours away by car. And that's not counting the fact that you could be half a dozen miles into a hike away from the resort and your parked car when you get injured. If that seems a bit too off the beaten track for you, then this place is not for you. ...Still reading? Then you must be adequately intrigued as to why people go and keep coming back to this wonderful place. And if the you're not scared off then you will likely fall in love with this place as I have. Read on if you want my attempt to add information you might be hoping to gleam from reading these reviews. This is a family run camp. Decades ago a group of families bought the place and ran it together. Their children now run the resort and while you're there you'll likely see the next generation starting to help out as well. Staff all have a direct connection to the resort via family, being visitors in years past themselves when they were younger, or being recruited by one of the first two categories. What that means is that your initial visit feels like you're an interloper at a family reunion, but on repeated trips you begin to feel that you too are part of the family, because you truly are. That sentiment permeates through and is felt not just by my wife and me but by my kids as well. I would love it if my kids worked here when they're older and if I could spend extended time helping out after I retire, whenever that is. Days can be spent on hikes, strenuous or relaxing. Obviously the former will reward you with amazing views. Unlike, say Yosemite, you could do your whole hike and never come across another group. If you do, it certainly will only be a handful. There are lakes to swim in and vistas to take in. The resort is positioned so that you can make a day hike where others will often have to backpack in and out. Sometimes you'll be tempted to backpack yourself and maybe stay over a night or two but what always draws me back is the food - homemade and delicious. Dinners are amazing. Lastly, the kids love it because of the independence and being outdoors. The "kids dinner" before the "adult one" is as much a highlight for the parents as it is the kids. More importantly my tech savvy kids being raised in the heart of Silicon Valley have no qualms with Mountain Meadow being a "screen free" place. And that alone makes our annual trip worth it.