National & State Parks
Epic Parks for Epic Adventures
We know there are a lot of places to go outdoors in the U.S. but where else can you climb rocky crags and descend into ancient caves all in one destination? Redding provides numerous parks for beginners and experts, for the fearful and the fearless. Here, you can hike trails in the mountains or spelunk belowground into a natural landscape that takes center stage in Northern California. With more than ten national and state parks in the Redding region, your only struggle will be finding the time to see them all!
Enjoy Our Parks
Our parks with lava flows, cavernous caves, and jagged peaks await your arrival. Let the adventures begin.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
It’s Redding’s favorite outdoor experience, where hiking and kayaking are just the beginning. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and its dam were the last places that President John F. Kennedy dedicated in 1963 and has been a staple of Redding ever since.
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Crags and Caves
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Traditional Parks
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Volcanoes and Lava
Peaks and Valleys in Redding
Castle Crags State Park delivers up dramatic scenery with jagged rock formations serving as the backdrop to a hike. On top of being stunning they’re historic. In 1855 “Battle of Castle Crags” between the Wintu Native Americans and 49ers took place at the northwest end of the ancient, glacier-formed spires of Castle Crags State Park. On your way or to end your day there are caves just outside of Redding, many formed by lava. Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark is one of the most unique, with stunning limestone formations accessible by boat. It’s a spelunker’s paradise!
To the Park and Beyond
National and State parks in Redding cater to all adrenaline levels, and the more traditional offerings are a great place to start. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, for example, is a go-to park for any visitor to Redding. Aspiring Olympic marathoners and casual strollers alike will enjoy the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. A walk along the river is sometimes all you need. Those who want a dash of culture in their parks will want to beeline for Shasta State Historic Park and William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park where nature and history mingle in ways that meet all your expectations in one place.
Head out and Heat Up
Skip the crowds at Yosemite and venture about an hour outside of Redding for Lassen Volcanic National Park with all the mountains, lakes, and geothermal activity a traveler could want. Until 1980 when Mt. Saint Helens erupted, Mt. Lassen was the most recent volcanic eruption in the continental U.S., erupting in 1914 and 1915. But it’s not the only hotspot in town. Just under two hours from Redding, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park was covered by lava flows thousands of years ago, creating impressive and unique landscapes that might be worthy of a “gram” or two. Lava Beds National Monument features hundreds of bat-filled caves and expansive lava beds (as the name suggests!) that will leave you wondering if you’re still in California or if you’ve been transported to another planet.
