Trails

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
California

Redding Field Office

Trails

Shasta

Mule Mountain Pass Trail

Trailheads begin on the dirt road off Swasey Drive in Redding. The Mule Mountain Pass Trail is open to foot traffic, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are many new and improved trails in the Swasey Drive Recreation Area. Most trails are rugged and unmarked, encouraging self-discovery. Bring Plenty of water and be aware of poison oak. This trail system connects to Whiskeytown NRA. Please see the trail map for more information.

Directions to this trail
From Redding, take Placer Street to Swasey Drive. Go about one mile on Swasey Drive and you will see the Swasey Recreation Area entrance on your left (across from Straight Arrrow Bowhunting).

Sacramento River Rail Trail (National Recreation Trail)

Sundial Bridge over the Sacramento River in Redding, CA

A printable brochure and map are available for this trail. This brochure can also be picked up at the Redding Field Office. Note that the section of trail labeled "trail under construction" in red on the map has been completed. Following the course of Keswick Reservoir and the old rail line, the Sacramento Rail Trail connects Redding to Shasta Dam. This trail system leads trail users from Shasta Dam all the way to the Sacramento River Trail and Sundial Bridge in central Redding. The 9-mile long trail is nearly flat and is open year-round to horseback riders, hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. The trail surface is composed of gravel and dirt. Ribbon Bridge on the Sacramento River Trail

Ribbon Bridge on the Sacramento River Trail

Trailheads are located at Iron Mountain Road (Rock Road junction), Keswick Boat Ramp, and near the OHV Staging Area west of Shasta Dam. A permit is required to cross the dam. Free parking is available at all trailheads.

Directions to this trail
There are many access points for this trail. Please review the map to determine the trailhead you prefer. To acces the north end of the trail, take I-5 north from Redding about 10 miles to Shasta Dam Blvd. Follow Shasta Dam Blvd. about two miles to Shasta Dam. Keep in mind that a permit is needed to cross the dam. Once across the dam, turn left and follow the road past the Chappie-Shasta OHV staging area and you will see the trailhead on you left. If you would like to access the south end of the trail, take Hyw 299 West out of Redding. Turn right on Iron Mountain Road this will lead you to the Rock Creek, Keswick and Matheson trailheads.

Hornbeck Trail

Hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can explore a new four-mile trail along the Sacramento River near Keswick Reservoir, with completion of a project by local volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management.

The Hornbeck Trail segment, named for a volunteer who was instrumental in its development, follows the path of a historic mining railroad on the east side of the river. It features gentle grades suitable for all age groups. The new trail is the first completed segment in a trail that will eventually allow “loop” trips from Keswick Reservoir to Shasta Dam and back using both sides of the river.

Volunteers unofficially named the trail segment for volunteer Chuck Hornbeck, a retired civil engineer and Shasta College engineering instructor, who was a leader in determining the trail route and recording important historic information. Hornbeck was recently honored by the BLM Redding Office for his contributions.

The new trail segment follows the path of a historic mining railroad called the “Old Diggings Railroad,” the “Quartz Hill Railroad,” or the View of Keswick Reservoir from the Horbeck Trail

View of Keswick Reservoir from the Horbeck Trail

“Mammoth Mine Railroad,” said Dr. Eric Ritter, archaeologist for the Redding Field Office. The rail line was used in the early 1900s to haul quartz used as flux for nearby copper smelting at Kennett (now under Shasta Lake).

Directions to this trail

To reach trailheads, take Market Street north from central Redding to Lake Boulevard and turn left. Continue west approximately two miles to Quartz Hill Road, turn left and continue about a mile to the trailhead. To reach a second trailhead, take Lake Boulevard past Quartz Hill Road and continue approximately two miles to Walker Mine Road. Turn left and continue to the trailhead. There is a map available for this area.

Sacramento Ditch Trail

This three mile long trail leaves from Walker Mine Road and intersects the Hornbeck trail one mile from Quartz Hill Road Trailhead. The trail follows the path of the historic Sacramento water ditch. This trail is open to foot traffic, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There is a map available for this area which includes the Sacramento Ditch trail and the Hornbeck trail.

Directions to this trail
To reach trailheads, take Market Street north from central Redding to Lake Boulevard and turn left. Continue west approximately two miles to Quartz Hill Road, turn left and continue about a mile to the trailhead. To reach a second trailhead, take Lake Boulevard past Quartz Hill Road and continue approximately two miles to Walker Mine Road. Turn left and continue to the trailhead.

Chappie-Shasta Off-Highway Vehicle Area

If you would like to enjoy nature from the seat of a quad of motorcycle, this is your place. Brochures/maps of this area are available at the BLM Redding Field Office or can be printed from these links: Brochure and Map.

Directions to this trail system
There are multiple access points for this trail. Please review the map to determine the trailhead you prefer. To acces the north end of the area, take I-5 north from Redding about 10 miles to Shasta Dam Blvd. Follow Shasta Dam Blvd. about 2 miles to Shasta Dam. Keep in mind that a permit is needed to cross the dam. Once across the dam, turn left and follow the road about two miles to the Chappie-Shasta OHV Staging Area. If you would like to access the south end of the area, take Hyw 299 West out of Redding. Turn right on Iron Mountain Road and drive about six miles and this will lead you to the Copley Mountain Staging area on the right. For more information see the Chappie-Shasta page.

Clear Creek Greenway & Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve

Clear Creek at Seltzer Gorge Horsetown Clear Creek Preserve is managed cooperatively with a private non-profit group. Guided hikes and events are offered throughout the Spring and Fall at the Clear Creak Horsetown Preserve. View current HCCP events. A map of the area is available that shows the trails at HCCP, the Cloverdale Access, and along Clear Creek. Trails lead out to Sletzer Gorge (former site of Seltzer Dam) with spectacular views of Clear Creek and seasonal salmon viewing.

Directions to this trail system
From Redding take Hwy 273 south to Clear Creek Road. Turn right on Clear Creek Road and travel approximately 6 miles. The Horsetown Clear Creek preserve parking lot will be on your left. There are other access point along Clear Creek Road but check your map to make sure you are on public land.

Tehama

Hog Lake Plateau Trail and Vista Trail

Wildflowers in the Sacramento River Bend Area The Hog Lake and Vista trails can be accessed from the Hog Lake trailhead. These trails can also be accessed from the Paynes Creek Crossing parking lot but trail users would have to make a wet crossing across Paynes Creek. The Hog Lake trail offers spectacular wide open views of Spring wildflowers. The Vista trail has breath-taking views of the Sacramento River or you can make a panoramic survey of the surrounding valley. The routes for these trails can be seen on the Sacramento River Bend brochure's map.

Directions to these trails
From Red Bluff, take Hwy 36 east about seven and a half miles to the Hog Lake Plateau Trailhead.The vista trail is accessed from the Hog Lake Plateau trail.

Iron Canyon Trail

Explorers can access the area and trek to the rock outcropping seen in the picture to the left and experience the views of the river from high above the canyon. The route for this trail can be seen on the Sacramento River Bend brochure's map.

Directions to this trail
When completed this trail will be accessed from a parking lot two and a half miles southwest of the Hog Lake Trailhead on Hwy 36. From Red Bluff, take Hwy 36 east approximately 5 miles and you will see the trailhead parking on the north side of the road.

Paynes Creek Wetland Trail System

This trail system will lead you through the Paynes Creek Wetlands which is an ideal location for bird watching. A Paynes Creek Wetland brochure will soon be available with birding information. Trailheads for the wetlands are located at the Bass Pond, the east side of the Wetlands, and at Paynes Creek Crossing. There is a restroom, picnic area and large parking lot located at the Bass Pond.
Most BLM lands are open to hunting under California Department of Fish and Game regulations. Paynes Creek Wetlands Be aware that hunting season may be open and the wetland area is often use for hunting. Be aware of your surroundings when walking in the wetlands.

Directions to this trail system
From Redding take I-5 south to the Jellys Ferry Exit (just a few miles north of Red Bluff). Turn left and continue 2.7 miles on Jellys Ferry Road. Turn right on Bend Ferry Road (passing over the Bend Bridge). Follow this winding road for approximately 3 miles and you will see the first parking area for the Paynes Creek Wetlands at the Bass Pond. See the map for more information.

Yana Trail

Hikers on the Yana Trail

This eight-mile long trail crosses riparian zones, rolling blue oak savannah, and lava rock canyons and offers some dramatic views of the Sacramento River and the surrounding landforms. The Yana Trail crosses Ink's Creek and winds along the Sacramento River offering an opportunity to splash in the icy waters on a hot summer day. Wildflowers are spectacular in this area in the spring. Trailheads are available at the Bass Pond, Perry Riffle, and Jelly's Ferry.

Directions to this trail
This trail can be accessed from multiple trail heads. Please refer to the map for directions to your selected trailhead.

Trinity

Visitors enjoying the Trinity River The Douglas City Campground is surrounded by trails although most are unmarked. Explore the area and see where the trail leads you.
Union Hill Pond has trails that circle around the entire pond.
Weaverville Basin Trails Committee offers a map and brochure of all the trails around Weaverville.
Trinity Alps Wilderness which is adjactent to the BLM Tunnel Ridge Wilderness also offers a wilderness trail experience.

Butte

Upper Ridge Nature Preserve offers an extensive network of trails.
Butte Creek Canyon offers several trails that extend alongside the creek and offers access to the water.

Keep in mind LNT concepts when out on the trail.