Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

The abundance of natural offerings are part of why TIME Magazine labeled Redding the “unofficial capital of kayaking.” The pristine Whiskeytown Lake in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta Lake and the Sacramento River offer up their beauty to event directors nationwide. Shasta Lake has hosted regional and national bass fishing tournaments and the 365 miles of shoreline of an evergreen tree-lined horizon makes for beautiful backdrop for boating and other open-water sports, such as waterski and wakeboard. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area also offers free ranger-led kayak and SUP programs in the summer as well as a moonlit kayaking tours.

For the more thrill-seekers, you can live on the wild side as you paddle your way through the whitewater rapids of the Trinity River with guided rafting trips. Strap on a helmet and navigate your way down ClassII,III or V rapids. If the slower-moving waters are your preference, stick to the Sacramento River and paddle under the world-famous SundialBridge, a Redding landmark.