Redding, CA · 96003
Top Outdoor Spots under 1 Hour from Redding
- 1
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Clear mountain lake with beaches, paddling and waterfall hikes; a national park unit minutes from town.
~12 min from 96001
Know before you go: Drive time is to the visitor center; Brandy Creek Beach is about 30 min. Entrance pass required.
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- 2
Shasta Lake (Bridge Bay / Bailey Cove)
California's largest reservoir: houseboats, boating, swimming and lakeside trails.
~21 min from 96001
- Summer
- Fall
- Spring
- 3
Shasta Dam
One of the largest concrete dams in the US, with views of Mt. Shasta and Shasta Lake.
~28 min from 96001
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- 4
Lake Shasta Caverns
Guided cave tours that include a boat ride across Shasta Lake.
~29 min from 96001
Know before you go: Paid tours; check hours.
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- 5
Clear Creek Greenway
BLM trails along Clear Creek's gorge south-west of Redding.
~21 min from 96001
Know before you go: Exposed and hot in summer.
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- 6
Shasta State Historic Park
Gold Rush-era brick ruins and short walks in Old Shasta.
~9 min from 96001
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
How we ranked this list
Outside central Redding and under 60 minutes' drive. Ranked by scenery and uniqueness, variety of activities and family-friendliness; cost is a tiebreaker.
Drive times: one-way OSRM estimates (no traffic) from 1733 Market St, Redding 96001. Season chips filter out places that are closed or not recommended that season; they do not re-rank. Check official sites for current conditions.
Rankings are editorial; no business paid for placement.

