Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area

National recreation area in California, United States

The Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area is a United States National Recreation Area in northern California. The recreation area was authorized in 1965 by the United States Congress. Recreational activities available include swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and hiking. The Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area (WST NRA) has a total of of land, which is divided into the Shasta, Trinity, and Whiskeytown Units. The Shasta–Trinity National Forest surrounds the Shasta and Trinity units, so they are managed by the United States Forest Service. Each of the units encompasses a large reservoir (man made lake) and its surrounding natural features, habitats, and terrain. The WST NRA has interesting wildlife viewing opportunities, including over sixty pairs of osprey, thirty pairs of nesting bald eagles, other resident and migrating birds, and deer and bear populations. Plant communities include Riparian, Interior chaparral, Blue oak grasslands, Mixed oak woodlands, and Knobcone pine, Ponderosa pine, or mixed evergreen forests.

Of the eighteen National Recreation Areas under Forest Service management in the U. S., the Shasta–Trinity Units are somewhat unusual, being made up of three large reservoir lakes set in scenic and protected foothill locales with diverse recreation opportunities. The Shasta Trinity National Recreation Area section of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area, has managed by the Shasta–Trinity National Forest. It includes Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes and their surrounding natural areas.

The Trinity Unit, centered on Trinity Lake and Lewiston Lake, has four subunits: the Lewiston Lake, Trinity Dam, Stuart Fork, and North Lake Units. They offer many opportunities for recreation, including trout fishing in Lewiston Lake, scenic driving on the Trinity Heritage National Scenic Byway, picnicking, camping, and hiking/riding on the multi use trail system. The Trinity Dam Unit has Trinity Lake reservoir, that when full has 145 mile (233 km) of shoreline, contains , and holds of water. Trinity Dam is one of the highest earth filled dams in the world.

The Shasta Unit, centered on Shasta Lake, has four tributary arms; Sacramento River, Pit River, Squaw Creek, and McCloud River. Each has distinctive scenic beauty and attracts outdoor recreation visitors. There are numerous facilities for water sports and boating, including private marinas. Public recreation facilities and amenities within the Shasta Unit include boat ramps, campgrounds, shoreline picnic areas, and hiking/equestrian/mountain biking trails. Shasta Lake is the largest reservoir in California. When full, the lake has 370 mile (595 km) of shoreline, which exceeds that of San Francisco Bay. The reservoir contains , and holds of water. Shasta Lake is formed by Shasta Dam, which is the second largest (after Grand Coulee Dam) and second tallest (after Hoover Dam) concrete dam in the United States.

The Whiskeytown Unit of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area is in size, centered on Whiskeytown Lake of
It also includes surrounding the reservoir. The backcountry, with mountain creeks and waterfalls, is accessible via 70 mile (113 km) of multi use hiking, equestrian, and/or mountain biking) trails.