What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Blue Gravel Mine Trail
The Blue Gravel Mine Trail weaves through small woodlands in the suburbs of Redding. It is paved and pet-friendly, with some slow hill inclinations.
Length: 4.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Mill Creek Trail
Mill Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail with scenic forest views. It includes a walking bridge path and passes by Boulder Creek Falls.
Length: 12.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Mount Shasta Mine Loop Trail
As a loop trail, the Mount Shasta Mine Trail follows a path past historic mining sites with some steep inclinations. The trailhead doubles as a day-use area and has a vault bathroom.
Length: 2.9 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Perhaps one of the most popular activities in the Trinity River is fly-fishing for salmon and steelhead. Both wild and hatched fish are found in the river. The water between Lewiston and Pigeon Point is cold and clear, with few rapids, which makes for easy fishing. However, anglers who want to eat their catches are advised that fish from the Trinity may have high levels of mercury.
Non-motorized boating is permitted in the Trinity River, and there are commercial guided boating and fishing trips that visitors can join here. Boat drifting and paddling is popular because the river runs through thin canyon valleys with views of Ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, oak trees, and madrone trees.
Wildlife Viewing
The area around the Trinity River is completely forested, and large animals, from black bears and mountain lions to bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes, mule deer, and elk, are often spotted. Smaller animals that visitors may see include ring-tailed cats, raccoons, jackrabbits, and northern flying squirrels. The banks of the river are also known for being bald eagle nesting grounds.
Picnicking
Many picnic sites exist along the Trinity River, including the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Whites Bar Picnic Area. This area has picnic tables on the rocky shore of the river and is located right off Trinity Highway. Another available picnic site is Cedar Flat Picnic Area, which also has tables and a day-use area along the river's shore.
Stargazing
The area around the Trinity River is an ideal place for stargazing since it is far from city lights and can provide a dark night sky. The best times for stargazing here are from April to October when the skies are generally clear and the temperature is not too cold. If you'd like to spot the Milky Way in the sky, consider stargazing near Trinity between March and September, which is when it is most visible in the northern hemisphere.
