HomeCaliforniaRedding › Dry Creek Trail

Dry Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 19 Google reviews · Running trail in Redding, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Dry Creek Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyWater

What runners say about Dry Creek Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (19 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful hike along that takes you over the Shasta Dam and beyond into the quiet of nature.”

Across the road at the westernmost end of the trail, another trail starts and takes you to Dry Creek Falls. A nice pool below has been crafted and I suspect I stumbled upon a secret spot. Clothing is optional, so if you hike in without a swimsuit, it's not a problem.

★★★★★ — Retired , Jul 2023

One person below says that it burned in the Carr Fire, but that is not true. The entire length of the trail is untouched by the fire. It stayed on the opposite shore of the large arm of the lake that this trail follows. There is a landslide that will only get worse though, and there was a number of piles of bear poop.

★★★★☆ — Brandi , Nov 2018

Beautiful hike along that takes you over the Shasta Dam and beyond into the quiet of nature. The trail wraps around the shoreline of Shasta Lake. Exposed rock let’s you walk out into the lake.

★★★★★ — David , Jun 2022

Love this trail so much! When the lake is high enough, there's perfect spots to stop along the way and swim. It's also not too well-traveled so most of the time you get the trail all to yourself. Beautiful scenery and not too hard to hike either!

★★★★★ — Mackenzie , Jun 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Beautiful hike along that takes you over the Shasta Dam and beyond into the quiet of nature.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

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🚰 Water fountains

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Dry Creek Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitefs.usda.gov
  • Phone+1 530-275-1587
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Dry Creek Trail

Redding, California

Get directions

Running trails near Redding

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Fishermans Point Trailhead

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Shasta Lake, CA

under a mile away

Chappie-Shasta ORV Staging Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 53 reviews

Redding, CA

Scenic

Bike and quad trails, plus a campground and a staging area, set in a scenic landscape.

1.0 miles away

Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Redding, CA

PavedScenic

1.2 miles away

Chamise Peak

4.8 ★★★★★ 167 reviews

Redding, CA

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Popular trail with picnic tables and shaded views from the summit.

2.6 miles away

Margaret Polf Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 161 reviews

Shasta Lake, CA

PavedDog-friendly

Public park with picnic tables, a playground, and a trail, plus facilities for soccer and baseball.

2.7 miles away

Flanagan Trail Flanagan Road Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Redding, CA

5 miNatural surfaceScenic

Hiking area offering a rocky trail with scenic views from the summit.

3.0 miles away

All running trails in Redding, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.