HomeCaliforniaRedding › Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail Trail

Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Running trail in Redding, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
1.4 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail 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.

1.4 miScenicFlat & fastHillyTrailhead parking

Flat and easy-to-moderate trail, popular with hikers and mountain bikers, featuring river views.

What runners say about Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (68 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Just absolutely stunning with a side of poison oak lol but it's a beautiful trail”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Several parking spaces, very easy trail to walk.”

This is a great ride from Keswick dam to Shasta Dam. Start with a steep incline, hilly for the first 3 miles, then it flattens out to follow along Keswick reservoir. 1.4 mile uphill at the Shasta end to the top of the dam. Excellent ride overall, 25 mile round trip to the top of the dam.

★★★★★ — Kevin , Jul 2017

Best trail in the area! Hiked a couple hours and found so many different trailheads that led to new adventures! Must bring a bike!

★★★★★ — Cody , Oct 2017

We recently bicycled this trail enroute to Redding. It was very uncrowded, well maintained and quite flat ( we started at the boat access). In mid October the temp was perfect, the fall colors lovely and we even saw a black bear ambling along the opposite riverbank. Highly recommend.

★★★★★ — Maria , Oct 2021

I have risen her in years past and enjoyed the hell out if the area. The trails are maintained smooth and fast for those that enjoy the thrill of taking corner and mother nature at your speed. I tried to ride the other day but mother nature decided she needed to wash away more of the remnants of last years fires.

★★★★★ — Bon , Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 68 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 12 mentions

“Just absolutely stunning with a side of poison oak lol but it's a beautiful trail”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Start with a steep incline, hilly for the first 3 miles, then it flattens out to follow along Keswick reservoir.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Google maps has 2 trailheads backwards, this should be the FB Trailhead”

More trails like this →

Flat & fast 2 mentions

“It was very uncrowded, well maintained and quite flat ( we started at the boat access).”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • Distance1.4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Where to find Keswick Dam Trailhead Sac River Rail 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.

FB Trail Head

4.6 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Redding, CA

Scenic

under a mile away

Trail 58 Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 18 reviews

Redding, CA

Natural surface

1.5 miles away

Harlan Trail Head

4.9 ★★★★★ 48 reviews

Redding, CA

PavedScenic

Wide, paved trail for runners, cyclists and hikers, with views of the Sacramento River.

1.7 miles away

Eastside Keswick Trails - Hornbeck Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 58 reviews

Redding, CA

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

Well-maintained trail network for bike riding and hiking with views of Keswick Lake.

2.3 miles away

2.6 miles away

Sacramento River Trail at South Diestelhorst Bridge Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 223 reviews

Redding, CA

PavedLitScenic

Popular network of paved trails offering scenic views for walking, cycling and birdwatching.

2.7 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.