Fall River Mills fits a range of outdoor recreation in a small area
Wedged between the Fall River and the Pit River, the Northern California community of Fall River Mills surrounds its 600 residents with outdoor recreation. Water sports top the list, particularly the area's world-class fishing, says John Beckwith, owner of United Country Real Estate McArthur Ranch & Home with roughly 25 years of industry experience. Fall River Mills is also close to places for hiking, camping and hunting, and homebuyers can choose from an array of housing options
Region touts plenty of trout fishing
The Fall and Pit rivers are hot spots for fly fishing. Two Rivers Park, near where the two rivers meet, is especially popular for trout fishing. The Bureau of Land Management Pit River Campground provides boating access to the waterway along with eight campsites. Trout Island Road, 8 miles north of the community, has a small boat launch to the Fall River. Locals can also spend a day at Fall River Lake, just off the river. “They have a day-use area out there,” Beckwith says. “You can go out there and have a barbecue by the lake.” The 720-acre Cinder Flats Wildlife Area is an option for hiking and hunting deer, quail and more. Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, 8 miles north in McArthur, has 20 miles of trails. The 18-hole course at Fall River Valley Golf & Country Club, located right in the middle of Fall River Mills, is open to the public.
Properties vary from compact to expansive
Houses in Fall River Mills often go for $130,000 to $550,000, with a median sale price of about $340,000. Though styles vary, most homes were built in the early to late 20th century. “You’ve got the older bungalow homes,” Beckwith says, “and then there are bigger parcels where they grow alfalfa and do ranching.”
Local fair is a major annual tradition
Fall River Mills is about 4 miles from the site of the Inter-Mountain Fair in McArthur. The fair dates to 1918, and Beckwith considers it the biggest draw in terms of community events in this area. Held on Labor Day weekend, the fair includes a parade, a rodeo, horse and beef shows, and carnival rides.
Fall River Mills’ core features restaurants and other businesses
Residents can head to the center of Fall River Mills for commercial amenities, many of them along California State Route 299 and Main Street. Beckwith says that Grazerz Grub and Pub is one of the popular restaurants, inside Fall River Hotel on Main Street. The banana foster bread pudding is a signature item at Grazerz. La Cocina Michoacana is another draw, whose patio is popular on nice days. Do it Best Valley Hardware is a locally owned place for everything from lawnmowers to sporting goods to office supplies. Groceries are available at Ray’s Food Place, farther up 299. The roadway is also home to Mayers Memorial Healthcare District, a hospital with a 24-hour emergency department.
Fall River students come together for art
The Fall River Joint Unified School District carries a B-minus grade on Niche. The B-rated Fall River Elementary hosts an art festival in the spring with help from students at Fall River Jr. Sr. High. The high school earns a B grade, too, and its Career Technical Education department has programs in agriculture science, floriculture, agriculture mechanics and industrial arts.
Route 299 provides access to the rest of the region
California State Route 299 runs through the heart of Fall River Mills and continues out of town to places like Redding, the largest city in the region, about 70 miles away. The Redding Regional Airport provides direct flights to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. Residents can also access the Sage Stage bus service from the Chevron gas station on 299 in Fall River Mills. Sage Stage is reservation-only, and the route goes as far east as Alturas and as far west as Redding.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
