HomeCaliforniaRedding › Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 18 Google reviews · Running trail in Redding, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead'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.

PavedScenicFlat & fast

What runners say about Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (18 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“It goes through scenic areas along the river, along with going through parks in town and can take it to the Sundial Bridge.”

This is a great paved trail to ride. We rode it from our campground in Redding. There are various places to catch the trail. It goes through scenic areas along the river, along with going through parks in town and can take it to the Sundial Bridge. It also passes a Peace Garden.

★★★★★ — Lucinda , May 2022

This is a really nice trailhead with a large parking lot, tables and even a little shade in the afternoon. The trail goes along the river for great views.

★★★★★ — Wez , Aug 2019

All paved path. Easy. Beautiful. Went with my husband and 12 year old in mountain bikes. Spectacular views of the river. On a road bike it would be easier to go all the way to the Sundial Bridge. Went 8 miles and returned. 16 miles total.

★★★★★ — Anjanette , Mar 2021

flat paved, bicycle trail, but really fun just to get the kinks out and gun it

★★★★☆ — James , Dec 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 18 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 8 mentions

“It goes through scenic areas along the river, along with going through parks in town and can take it to the Sundial Bridge.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“flat paved, bicycle trail, but really fun just to get the kinks out and gun it”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“flat paved, bicycle trail, but really fun just to get the kinks out and gun it”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 pm

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 Sacramento River Rail Trail, Shasta Dam Trailhead

Sacramento River Trail, Redding, CA 96001

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.

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.

under a mile away

Dry Creek Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Redding, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1.2 miles away

Fishermans Point Trailhead

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Shasta Lake, CA

1.5 miles away

Chamise Peak

4.8 ★★★★★ 167 reviews

Redding, CA

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

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

1.7 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.

2.3 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.

2.6 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.