Redding Area Recreation

Parks & Recreation

Events

There are 12 major shopping areas, including 2 enclosed malls and 9 major shopping centers and a, factory outlet center. Retail Stores include:, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Bed,, Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Circuit City, Cost Plus, Costco, Gottschalks, Home Depot, JC Penny

K-Mart, Macy´s, Mervyns, Michael´s, Office Depot, Office Max, Old Navy, Pier 1 Imports, Sears, Target, TJ Max, Victoria´s Secret, WalMart

The information listed above was provided by The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce 530-225-4433 and Redding Conventionand Visitors Bureau 530-225-4100 or 800-874-7562. It will be updated when the new data is provided by the GRCC or RCVB. Created by Shishir A. Dhruva, MD

Regional Attractions

The construction of Shasta Dam impounded three major north state rivers: The Pit, McCloud, and Sacramento. Referred to as arms, each one retains its own character, environment, history and recreation opportunities. The rugged country, ragged shoreline, and sheer size of Shasta Lake tends to break the lake into different areas, each with its own opportunities, moods, and settings.

For more information or help, the Shasta Lake Information Center is in Mountain Gate, telephone (530) 275-1589.

Three miles west on Highway 299 this state park features a museum with relics from the 1840s gold rush era the Litsch General Store which has been completely restored to its original state and many other historical buildings from that era. Museum is open year round and can be reached by calling 530-243-8194.

West on Highway 299, Whiskeytown Lake is about 8 miles from Redding. The lake offers sandy beaches, marina, camping facilities, excellent boating, plus numerous marked hiking trails. Situated on the south shore of the lake is a memorial to President John F Kennedy commemorating his dedication of the Dam in 1963.

To reach the Sacramento River Trail, proceed north on Market Street to Riverside Drive (left), which is on the south side of the Sacramento River. Proceed west on Riverside Drive to the designated parking area. The trail begins and continues 3 miles on the south side of the river, at this point the trail continues over a footbridge where it then connects with the north side trail. The north side trail has several exits; however, if one chooses to walk the entire trail - it is another 5 miles.

Snow-capped Mt. Shasta dominates the northern skies as you journey past Shasta Lake, the jagged peaks of Castle Crags, and through the picturesque railroad town of Dunsmuir. During the winter months, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the 31 trails at Shasta Board & Ski Park, which features 3 triple chair lifts and a surface tow, along with a terrain park. Cross-country skiing is also available. Take Interstate 5 north approximately 50 miles to Central Mt. Shasta exit. 530-926-8610

Continuing north on Interstate 5 for about 35 miles are the soaring spires of Castle Crag State Park. Popular activities include fishing in the Sacramento River, hiking and backpacking in the backcountry and camping among the ancient granite formations. There are 64 campsites with tables, stoves and storage lockers. Restrooms with hot showers are nearby. Many of the sites are large enough to accommodate trailers and motor homes up to 27 feet (no hook-ups). Across from the park's main entrance are 21 picnic sites. 530-235-2684

A wonderful museum complex with a summer butterfly house, live animals, miles of walking trails, and lots of new facilities to come! Turtle Bay is a collection of indoor/outdoor learning attractions with a focus on the Sacramento River watershed, its natural inhabitants, regional culture, and human history.

Paul Bunyan's Forest Camp features historic logging and ecology exhibits and also hosts a popular summer butterfly house.

McConnell Arboretum contains 220 acres with walking trails through beautiful oak savanna, and wetlands teeming with wildlife.

530-243-8850

This 23 million dollar bridge is designed by world famous spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

The bridge was formally open for public use on July 4, 2004.

OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST NEAR SHASTA LAKE

Picnic facilities are available at Fisherman's Point, near Shasta Dam; Bailey Cove; and Dekkas Rock. Each has tables, stoves, and restrooms.

FISHING

Everyone has a favorite "hole". The Jones Valley area provides the best access to the Pit and Squaw Arms - considered by many to provide the best overall fishing. 

Other popular spots are located where the major rivers and streams empty into the lake, such as McCloud Bridge, on the McCloud, and Riverview (Lakehead) on the Sacramento Arm.

The Lakehead Area, with its fast pace and easy access off Interstate 5, offers a wide variety of services and recreation pursuits. It is convenient for those planning a short visit or an extended stay. It is located near a community, which has many services. From the Antlers Boat Ramp are a number of marinas, skiing, houseboating and fishing are easily accessible on the Sacramento Arm of the lake.

Forest Service and commercial campgrounds are available, or there are resort cabins for rent. At Lakehead you can choose between a campfire supper, full course meal, pizza or burgers for dinner.

Salt Creek is easily accessible from Interstate 5 and wonderfully suited to the overnighter, boater or fisherman. Yet, it is not as active an area as Lakehead.

Camping facilities range from a commercial recreation vehicle park to the Forest Service drive-in or the more secluded walk-in camps. The Salt Creek Area is also the gateway to the Gilman Road Area and the McCloud Arm of the lake.

The Gilman Road exit off Interstate 5 provides access to the McCloud Arm of the lake and a world removed from the noise and hurry of the freeway. The Forest Service campgrounds here can best be described in one word - relaxed.

The area boasts 5 family camps, several group camps, the Dekkas Rock Day-use Lake access and picnic areas and launching at the Hirz Bay public ramp. The gradual shoreline below most campgrounds makes moorage convenient. Complete boating services are available at the marinas in the O'Brien area to the south. Boating, hiking, fishing, hunting and even spelunking are popular activities in this area. Sold on the McCloud Arm ---If so, here are two words of caution --- supplies and bears. The store at Salt Creek is the last chance for services. Beyond lies "bear country." Keep food in secure containers inside vehicles: clean tables thoroughly after meals; use garbage containers; and do not feed or tease the bears.

The O'Brien Area is at the hub of the lake and provides central access to all arms.

Though rural in nature, the area offers a wide variety of opportunities. Each marina and campground appears isolated amidst the thick oak and pine forests and the steep, rugged country. The O'Brien Area is a sharp contrast to the Lakehead Area. Although both offer similar facilities and recreation choices, each is a unique outdoor experience. At O'Brien, there are resort/marinas, a public campground, launch ramps and the Lake Shasta Caverns tours.

Motel accommodations are available in the Lakehead area and at Bridge Bay. Cabin accommodations are available at many resorts and marinas.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE LAKE

Operated by the U.S.Water and Power Resources Service, Shasta Dam provides a variety of services including irrigation, power, and flood control. Shasta Caverns began forming over 250 million years ago in the massive limestone of the Grey Rocks visible from Interstate 5.

The caverns, located off the Shasta Caverns/O'Brien exit, are privately owned and tours are offered year-round.

Explore the natural and human history of Shasta Lake by taking a self-guided nature trail. The Hirz Bay Nature Trail is located in the Hirz Bay Campground, and the Samwel Cave Trail is located one mile south of the McCloud Bridge Campground.

AREAS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Interesting historical sites can be found throughout the area. For instance, a trail blazed up the Sacramento River by Michael LaFramboise in 1834 later became the Oregon Trail. It was used extensively by traders, trappers, and gold seekers before being improved to a stage road. In 1872, the Central Pacific Railroad followed the same route as far north as Dunsmuir. As copper mining developed along the canyon, the copper-smelting town of Kennett boomed between 1905 and 1925. A spur railroad, the Sacramento and Eastern line, connected Kennett with the towns of Salee nearby resorts.

A broad spectrum of facilities, ranging from primitive to luxurious, supports the many, varied recreational opportunities offered. At the upper end of the scale, there are 11 marinas and a number of resorts; most offer rental cabins, motel-type accommodations, or trailer parks with hookups and showers. For the more independent visitor, the Forest Service manages 22 campgrounds. These vary from vehicular campgrounds, which will accommodate trailers up to 30' (no hookups), to walk-in camps; group camps which will accommodate up to 120 people; and a special feature at Shasta Lake, boat-in campgrounds.

Most campgrounds have piped water. Some have flush toilets, but the majority have pit or vault-type facilities. Shasta Lake is one of the few in California where visitors can camp along the shore. Some areas are "restricted", such as a Bald Eagle or Osprey nesting site, but even so there are several hundred miles where shoreline camping is permitted. A campfire permit is required for building campfires or using gas or charcoal stoves (such as hibachis) along the shoreline. This permit is free and may be obtained from any Forest Service office.