Record levels of rain and snowfall? That’s your cue to head to nearby rivers and lakes for rustic (and reasonably priced) getaways. The rivers are racing, the lakes are swollen and the greenery is lush. Activity-wise, there’s something for everyone: White-water rafting. Fishing. Sitting on the deck of your yurt nodding off meditating. Here are three weekend trips we’re loving.
3 River and Lake Trips That Will Make You Say ‘Later, Beach’
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Published May 6, 2019
Kelly Flannagan
Super Chill: Yurt Sleeping At Cachuma Lake
Similar to tent camping, except with a solid floor and those strange curved walls, yurt sleeping is comfy, inexpensive and super scenic on the shore of Cachuma Lake in Santa Barbara County. The water is higher than it’s been in years (up to 78 percent of capacity) so the bass, bluegill and trout will be livelier than usual. Best of all, you can bring your dog(s) without worrying about the restrictions enforced by those stressed-out beach regulators.
Mildly Active: Horseback Riding Around Convict Lake
Want to play Old West, but with a nice dinner waiting back in nearby civilization? That’s what you’ll get at Convict Lake Resort, a cluster of cabins in Mammoth Lakes. It’s got its own reservations-suggested restaurant, and one cabin even has its own hot tub—you know, for after that two-hour horseback ride or epic hike around the water.
David McNew/Newsmakers/Getty Images
Major Adrenaline: White-water Rafting In The Sierras
Don’t let the rare moments of calm water fool you: The Kaweah River is a swiftly moving beast that would just as soon dash you on the rocks as carry you along the finest rapids in central and southern Cali. Luckily, proprietor Frank Root of Kawaeh Whitewater Adventures has given you a 20-minute prep session and a life preserver. Class III and IV rapids mean people fall out of the boat every day, so you’ll be super energized during your half-day or longer excursion. Stay at nearby BeeGreen Farm for a quiet place to soothe your sore muscles afterward.
