Night Moves
Summer Full Moon Activities in Northern California…
One of the best things about living or exploring Northern California is its endless miles of undisturbed rivers, mountains and forest. This environment—combined with the one evening around every 29.5 days when the entire Earth is illuminated to its fullest extent—makes it a special time to get outside or go to a festival. Here are a few full moon activities coming up:
NorCal Hikers and Paddlers Full Moon Paddles at Whiskeytown Lake
www.facebook.com/norcalhikersandpaddlers
Full Buck Moon Paddle: July 29, 7pm
Corn/Harvest Full Moon Paddle: Sept. 26, 7pm
Full Hunter’s Moon Meditation and Clearing: Oct. 26, 7pm
Redding native, massage therapist and content creator Casey Strohmayer created the NorCal Hikers and Paddlers Facebook group back in 2020 to meet fellow hikers, paddlers, and cold plungers. The group is free and open to anyone with one condition—you must love nature.
“I’m a hiker; I’m always outside at the lake and paddle as much as I can,” Strohmayer says. The NorCal Hikers and Paddlers group gained more traction last year after she hosted a full moon paddle at Whiskeytown Lake’s Oak Bottom Marina in August 2025, which has prompted her to add more full moon events there this summer.
“It’s just for fun; there’s no charge. People bring their kids and their own lights, and we meet at Oak Bottom an hour before sunset near the campground,” she says. As the sun sets, Strohmayer leads the group in an hour-long meditation, but people are free to do as they please.
“There are no expectations. People just do what they want, and it gives likeminded people a chance to get to know each other,” Strohmayer says. “I’m really into meditation and energy as a way to clear blockages and be aware. We are connected in all ways and it’s healthy for people sit with the moon.”
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Weaverville Joss House SHP
www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=457
September 26, 10am-2pm
While the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival at the Weaverville Joss House happens during the day, the activities at this California State Historic Park are all centered around the moon. Celebrated in China on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, this festival is focused on the full moon, symbolizing unity, harmony and completeness as it coincides with the autumn harvest.
Weaverville Joss House State Park’s Shannon Frederick calls the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival “a time for family reunions, gratitude and mooncakes.” Rivaled only by its Lunar New Year festival (which takes place in February), the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival happening this September treats the public to Chinese tea, a story walk about mooncakes, children’s Year of the Horse-themed crafts, and temple tours, all free of charge.
On-Your-Own Full Moon Hiking and Stargazing Spots
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/stargazing.htm
While Strohmayer admitted that she hiked up to Lassen Peak with a friend during a Strawberry Moon once and a storm blew in, forcing them to sprint down the mountain, Lassen Volcanic National Park encourages experienced hikers to go on a moonlit adventure when the conditions are right since the park’s high elevation is perfect for being closer to the stars. The park’s website says, “Be sure to bring a headlamp (ideally with a red light option) for when you do need light; Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone trails are popular moonlight hikes for experienced hikers.”
• Siskiyou County
discoversiskiyou.com
Located in the northernmost part of California just below the Oregon border, Siskiyou County is known for its rugged peaks, beauty and solitude, which make a perfect backdrop for star and full moon gazing.
For instance, take a telescope or binoculars, a blanket and an insulated travel mug out to Castle Crags State Park to see “Neptune at Opposition” this autumn. Happening the same night as the Super Harvest Moon on Sept. 26, Castle Crags Vista Point is an ideal place to see Neptune when it is directly opposite the sun from Earth. For the Nov. 24 and Dec. 23 supermoons, consider going to Lake Siskiyou or the Wagon Creek Bridge to get the full view of the lake and Mt. Shasta under the bright night sky. •
