01
Easiest close-to-town stroll
Anderson River Park Trail
Anderson Along The Sacramento River • Flat Riverside Path With Shady Trees • Easy Family-Friendly Loop
A mellow paved and dirt path that traces the Sacramento River with plenty of shade and river access points.
If you want a quick leg-stretcher without committing to a big hike, this is the obvious first choice from Cottonwood. The path weaves through mature trees, small side trails, and picnic spots, with frequent glimpses of the river and a good chance of spotting ospreys or river otters. It is an easy after-work walk, stroller-friendly, and a solid option when summer heat makes longer climbs less appealing.
02
Best rolling river-country hike
Upper Yana Trail
Sacramento River Bend Area Near Red Bluff • Rolling Singletrack Through Open Oak Woodland • Best Shoulder-Season Outing
A gently undulating trail above the Sacramento River with big open views, wildflowers in season, and a classic North State feel.
The Upper Yana Trail gives you long sightlines, wide skies, and that open-oak savanna the North Valley is known for. Expect easy to moderate walking on dirt singletrack as it winds along bluffs above the river, with side spots where you can drop down closer to the water. It is especially nice in late winter and spring when the grass is green, the flowers are out, and the summer heat has not settled in yet.
03
Closest wild-feeling escape
Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve Trails
West Of Redding Off Clear Creek Road • Creekside Trails With Oak Woodland And Mining History • Best Quick Escape From Town
A small network of trails along Clear Creek that mixes shaded creek walking, small climbs, and traces of the area’s mining past.
Horsetown-Clear Creek Preserve is where many Cottonwood and Redding locals go when they want nature without a long drive. Short interconnected paths let you build anything from a quick out-and-back to a longer loop, with footbridges, creek access, and interpretive signs about early mining. Cool water, scattered swimming holes, and evening shade make it a good warm-season option if you start early or go late in the day.
04
Best big-view summit
Chamise Peak via Flanagan Trail
North Redding Above Keswick Reservoir • Ridge Climb To Far-Reaching Mountain And Lake Views • Best Sunset Hike
A steady but manageable climb that rewards you with a 360-degree panorama over Shasta Lake, Redding, and the distant Cascades.
Starting from the Flanagan Trailhead, this route follows a well-graded path up a ridgeline dotted with manzanita and gray pines before finishing on a rocky summit knob. From the top, you can pick out Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, Keswick Reservoir, and on clear days much of the Sacramento Valley. Go on a crisp winter afternoon or clear spring evening and you will understand why this is a local favorite for after-work workouts and photo-worthy sunsets.
05
Classic waterfall day trip
Brandy Creek Falls Trail
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area • Forest Canyon Trail To A Multi-Tiered Waterfall • Best Summer Escape Into Shade And Water
A moderate creekside hike that climbs through cool forest to a beautiful, tiered waterfall tucked into a shaded canyon.
Brandy Creek Falls is a bit more of a drive from Cottonwood, but the payoff is worth planning a half-day around. The trail follows the creek through mixed forest, crossing small bridges and rock sections before finishing at a series of cascades and pools framed by mossy rock walls. It is a great place to escape the valley heat, and the mix of shade, water, and moderate climbing makes it a rewarding yet approachable hike for most reasonably active visitors.