01
Best overall pick
Brandy Creek Beach, Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, West Of Redding • Family-Friendly Lake Beach • Best For Families
A sandy, supervised swim area on Whiskeytown Lake with clear water, big views, and plenty of room for kids to play.
Brandy Creek is the beach locals mention first when you ask where to swim near Cottonwood. There’s a roped-off swim area, gentle entry, restrooms, and picnic tables, so it works well for multigenerational outings. Summer afternoons can get breezy on the lake, so aim for late morning if you want calmer water and easier paddle conditions.
02
Best camping combo
Oak Bottom Beach, Whiskeytown Lake
Oak Bottom Area On Whiskeytown Lake • Campground Swim Beach With Marina Vibe • Best For Camping Weekends
A pebbly lakeshore next to the Oak Bottom campground and marina, ideal if you want to swim, boat, and stay the night.
Oak Bottom’s shoreline feels like a classic lake weekend: boats coming and going, kids on floaties, and campers walking down for a sunset dip. The beach is more gravel than sand, so water shoes make it more comfortable, but the trade-off is quick access to rentals and shaded picnic spots. If you’re planning a summer camping trip from Cottonwood, this is the easiest place to settle in and treat the beach as your front yard.
03
Best for space
East Beach, Whiskeytown Lake
East Shore Of Whiskeytown Lake • Wide Open Lakefront With Room To Spread Out • Best For Bigger Groups
A long stretch of open shoreline with big-sky views, fewer crowds, and plenty of room for chairs, coolers, and lawn games.
East Beach is where you go when you don’t want to be elbow-to-elbow with other swimmers. The shoreline is broad and open, so it handles big groups and makes it easy to keep an eye on kids while still giving everyone space. There’s limited shade, so bring a canopy or umbrella and plan to stay for the golden-hour light on the surrounding hills.
04
Quick river escape
Anderson River Park Beach
Anderson, Along The Sacramento River • Shaded Riverside Gravel Bar • Closest Cold-Water Escape To Cottonwood
A local river-access spot with tree-lined banks, small gravel beaches, and icy Sacramento River water that feels great on hot days.
For Cottonwood residents, Anderson River Park is often the fastest way to get your feet in the water after work. Short paths drop to small gravel bars where you can set up a chair, let kids splash in the shallows, and watch boats and geese drift by. The current is strong in mid-channel, so most people stick close to shore, using the park more for wading, picnics, and cooling off than true distance swimming.
05
Best in-town option
Caldwell Park Riverfront Beach, Redding
Central Redding Riverfront • In-Town River Park Beach • Best For Combining A Swim With A Day In Town
A small but handy Sacramento River beach tucked into a larger city park with bike paths, shade, and easy services nearby.
Caldwell Park gives you a taste of the river without committing to a full day trip, which makes it a practical stop when you’re already in Redding for errands or dinner. A short walk from the parking area leads to pockets of shoreline where locals dip in, skip rocks, and watch the current roll past. Pair a swim here with a ride on the river trail or a stroll over to other nearby parks to turn it into a relaxed, low-effort outing from Cottonwood.