01
Best all-around pick
Lake Britton Beach
Mcarthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park • Pine-Framed Family Swim Beach • Best All-Around Choice
Classic swim beach on Lake Britton with easy access from Burney Falls and plenty of room to spread out.
From Lookout, this is often the first place locals think of when they want a true beach day without driving to the coast. A roped-off swimming area, gentle slope, and nearby picnic tables make it easy for kids and casual swimmers. Aim for a morning arrival on hot weekends, when day-use parking fills up with campers from the state park.
02
Best for camping weekends
Medicine Lake Recreation Area Beach
Medicine Lake, Modoc National Forest • High-Country Volcanic Lake Shore • Great For Rustic Camping
Quiet volcanic-lake shoreline with clear water, simple swim beaches, and a laid-back campground feel.
Medicine Lake’s small pumice and sand beaches feel remote in the best way, ringed by forest and cooled by the higher elevation. It is a favorite for Lookout-area families who want to camp, paddle, and swim all from the same base. Expect basic facilities, cool water even in midsummer, and a rougher access road that keeps crowds down.
03
Most dramatic setting
Butte Lake Beach
Butte Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park • Lava-Sand National Park Beach • Top Pick For Adventurous Swimmers
A small dark-sand beach backed by lava flows and pines in one of Lassen’s quieter corners.
The shoreline at Butte Lake is more about atmosphere than long stretches of sand, but the cinder beach gives you an easy entry into the water. After a swim, you can walk straight from your towel to explore the Fantastic Lava Beds or hit nearby trails. There are no lifeguards and the water stays brisk, so it suits confident swimmers and those who like their beach days on the wild side.
04
Best developed beach
Brandy Creek Beach at Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, West Of Redding • Reservoir Beach With Amenities • Ideal For First-Time Visitors
A sandy, lifeguarded summer beach with lawns, shade, and a relaxed crowd just beyond the Redding heat.
When you want a full-service setup, Brandy Creek Beach delivers with marked swim areas, nearby restrooms, and plenty of picnic space. It pairs well with a day of errands in Redding: cool off in the lake, then head into town for dinner. Plan on a day-use fee, arrive early on peak weekends, and expect a more social scene than the smaller forest lakes closer to Lookout.
05
Best for quiet evenings
Eagle Lake Recreation Area Beach
Eagle Lake, North Of Susanville • Open-Sky High Desert Lakeshore • Best For Quiet Summer Evenings
Wide, lightly developed shoreline with coarse sand, big views, and a slower pace than better-known reservoirs.
Eagle Lake’s beaches feel spacious, with long sightlines over the water and a mix of sand and pumice underfoot. Day-use areas near the campgrounds make it easy to combine a swim with a shore walk or some fishing. Afternoons can be breezy, but the light and calm often improve toward evening, when locals drift down for a low-key swim and sunset.