01
Best overall pick
Brandy Creek Beach
Whiskeytown Lake Southwest Shore • Lively Lakeside Swim Beach • Best For Families And First-Time Visitors
A classic Whiskeytown swim beach with lawns, shade, and gentle lake access that works for nearly everyone.
Brandy Creek is the beach most locals name first: there’s plenty of sand and grass, a gradual entry into the water, and room for kids to splash without feeling crowded. Shaded picnic tables and nearby restrooms make it an easy all-day basecamp when the temperatures spike. Aim for mornings or weekdays if you want easier parking and a quieter feel.
02
Best with a weekend campsite
Oak Bottom Beach
Whiskeytown Lake Northwest Shore • Relaxed Campground Beach • Great For Campers And Kayakers
A mellow stretch of shoreline tucked beside the Oak Bottom campground and marina, ideal if you like to paddle as much as you swim.
Oak Bottom Beach has a slightly more low-key vibe than Brandy Creek, with campers wandering down from the pines and boats gliding past offshore. The beach is a mix of sand and small pebbles, with clear water and easy kayak or paddleboard launches. It’s a smart pick if you want to turn a hot day into a full camping weekend right on the water.
03
Best for group picnics
East Beach
Whiskeytown Lake East Side • Wide, Sunny Day-Use Beach • Best For Big Groups
A broad, open beach with room to spread out, ideal for meetups, birthday parties, and casual lake days.
East Beach gives you space, which matters when you’re rolling in with coolers, pop-up shade, and a crowd. The shoreline is wider and more open than other Whiskeytown spots, so it’s easier to find your own corner of sand even on busy afternoons. Expect full sun most of the day, so bring shade and plenty of water if you plan to linger.
04
Best for a Shasta Lake feel
Bailey Cove Swim Beach
Shasta Lake Near O’Brien • Sheltered Cove On The Big Lake • Best Shasta Lake Day Trip
A small, tree-framed swim beach that gives you the full Shasta Lake atmosphere without needing a boat.
Bailey Cove sits in a protected inlet, so the water feels calmer and more intimate than the wide-open main lake. Pines crowd the shoreline, there’s a short walk in from the parking, and you get those classic Shasta views of steep, red-dirt banks and blue water. It’s a good choice when you want a change of scenery from Whiskeytown but still keep the drive manageable from Igo.
05
Best close-to-town river spot
Anderson River Park Beach
Sacramento River In Anderson • Casual Riverside Sandbar • Great For Quick Cool-Downs
A laid-back stretch of riverbank where locals wade, skip rocks, and cool off between errands.
Anderson River Park offers a different flavor from the lake beaches: moving water, gravel bars, and plenty of shade from big riverside trees. When flows are low and conditions are safe, you can wade into shallows, let kids play near the edge, and still be back in town in minutes. Bring river shoes for the cobbles and always check current conditions before committing to a swim.