Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area
Location in California
Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shasta County & Trinity County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Redding, California |
| Area | 203,587 acres (82,389 ha) |
| Established | November 8, 1965 |
| Visitors | 782,014 (Whiskeytown Alone) (in 2007) |
| Governing body | National Park Service, United States Forest Service |
| Website | Whiskeytown National Recreation Area |
The Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area is a special outdoor place in northern California. It was created in 1965 by the United States Congress. Here, you can enjoy many fun activities like swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and hiking.
This huge area covers over 246,000 acres of land. It's split into three main parts: the Shasta, Trinity, and Whiskeytown Units. The Shasta and Trinity parts are managed by the United States Forest Service. This is because they are surrounded by the Shasta–Trinity National Forest. The National Park Service takes care of the Whiskeytown unit.
Each part of the recreation area has a large reservoir (a man-made lake). These lakes are surrounded by beautiful nature, different habitats, and interesting land. You might see amazing wildlife here. There are over sixty pairs of osprey and thirty pairs of nesting bald eagles. You can also spot other birds, deer, and bears.
The area is home to many types of plants. These include plants found near rivers, chaparral, and blue oak grasslands. There are also mixed oak woodlands and different kinds of forests. You can find Knobcone pine, Ponderosa pine, or mixed evergreen forests.
Contents
Exploring the Forest Service Areas
The Shasta and Trinity Units are managed by the United States Forest Service. These units are special because they have three large man-made lakes. These lakes are set in beautiful foothills and offer many ways to have fun outdoors. The Forest Service manages about 203,587 acres of this recreation area. This includes Shasta, Trinity, and Lewiston Lakes, along with their natural surroundings.
Trinity Unit: Lakes and Trails
The Trinity Unit is focused around Trinity Lake and Lewiston Lake. It has four smaller sections: Lewiston Lake, Trinity Dam, Stuart Fork, and North Lake. These areas offer many chances for outdoor fun. You can go trout fishing in Lewiston Lake. You can also enjoy scenic drives on the Trinity Heritage National Scenic Byway. Picnicking, camping, and hiking are also popular activities. There are multi-use trails for walking or riding.
Trinity Lake is a large reservoir in this unit. When it's full, its shoreline stretches for 145 miles. The lake covers 17,000 acres and holds 2.5 million acre-feet of water. Trinity Dam is one of the tallest earth-filled dams in the world.
Shasta Unit: California's Largest Lake
The Shasta Unit is centered on Shasta Lake. This lake has four main arms that are fed by rivers: the Sacramento River, Pit River, Squaw Creek, and McCloud River. Each arm has its own unique beauty and attracts many visitors. There are many places for water sports and boating, including private marinas. Public areas in the Shasta Unit offer boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic spots along the shore, and trails for hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking.
Shasta Lake is the biggest reservoir in California. When full, its shoreline is 370 miles long. This is even longer than the shoreline of San Francisco Bay! The lake covers 30,000 acres and holds 4.55 million acre-feet of water. Shasta Lake was formed by Shasta Dam. This dam is the second largest and second tallest concrete dam in the United States.
National Park Service Area
Whiskeytown Unit: Waterfalls and Backcountry Trails
The Whiskeytown Unit of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area is 42,500 acres in size. Its main feature is Whiskeytown Lake, which covers 3,200 acres.
This unit also includes 39,000 acres of land around the lake. The backcountry has beautiful mountain creeks and waterfalls. You can explore these areas on 70 miles of multi-use trails. These trails are great for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
