Nature and Wildlife Viewing

Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Spanning the Sacramento River in Redding, and connected by the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay designed by Santiago Calatrava, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is a 300-acre campus containing educational and entertaining activities that interpret the relationship between humans and nature. The Park tells the stories of the region and its people through a museum and art gallery, wildlife exhibits, forest camp, a year-round aviary, amphitheater, and an arboretum & gardens. For seasonal programs, hours, and…

Coleman National Fish Hatchery

• Located on Battle Creek, historically salmon and steelhead have migrated in from the Sacramento River to spawn • Spawning operations allow you to view large numbers of fall Chinook salmon during spawning season • Return of the Salmon Festival Celebration is the third Saturday in October

Oroville State Wildlife Area

Fish and wildlife are abundant on the 11,000-acre wildlife area. Bird watching, camping, fishing and hunting opportunities are available. Egrets, beaver, and river otter are among the many animals you might see.

Clover Creek Preserve

Clover Creek Preserve is tucked in behind a neighborhood in east Redding, and offers paved, flat trails great for walking or cycling. Enjoy the 2 mile loop with your dog, your favorite people, or just the beautiful view of Redding's rolling hills, oaks, and expansive sky. Distance: 2.0 milesDifficulty: Easy

Dutch Flat Wildlife Area

Dutch Flat Wildlife Area was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1994. It is 160 acres of riparian and stream habitat. Other vegetation types include grasslands and plant communities dominated by Jeffrey and ponderosa pines, juniper, and sagebrush.For more information, call the Northern Region Redding office at (530) 225-2300.

Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

9,100-acre wildlife refuge, one of the most intensively managed waterfowl marshlands in the United States. Excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, photographing, and nature viewing. Educational programs, exhibits, self-guided nature trail and seasonal guided tours.

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Internationally known for the abundance and diversity of wildlife. The refuge hosts the largest winter population of bald eagles in the continental U.S.  The varied wildlife and habitats are a photographer’s delight.

Lassen National Forest

The Lassen National Forest, at the heart of one of the most fascinating areas of California, called the Crossroads, covers a wild, mountainous area of volcanic origin. It is an area of great variety offering a wide array of recreational opportunities and adventures. Some of the most outstanding attractions include:• Eagle Lake – the second largest natural lake in California, offering fishing, boating, water-skiing, sailing, hiking trails and camping.• Hat Creek Area – in the shadows…

Mary Lake Park

Mary Lake Park, on the west side of Redding, is 29 developed acres with tree-lined walking trails winding their way around a man-made lake. Enjoy this walk with your dog and bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing. Distance: 0.7 mile loop. Difficulty: Easy

McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens portion of the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is the newest addition to Turtle Bay Exploration Park. The Redding Arboretum, one of four organizations that merged to create Turtle Bay Exploration Park, along with its supporters, initially drove the development of a series of gardens. Turtle Bay inherited and embraced the plan to develop the site as seen today. Today the Gardens comprise 20 acres of mediterranean-climate display gardens, a children’s garden,…