The Shasta-Trinity National Forest is in the middle of one of the most significant periods of recreation development in its history. By the end of the next decade, the forest expects to complete approximately 140 miles of new trail construction within a 20-year span, expanding opportunities for visitors while supporting rural communities across Northern California.

This progress reflects strong partnerships, steady support from state and local grant programs, and a shift toward landscape-scale National Environmental Policy Act analyses that integrate recreation development with forest restoration and wildfire resilience efforts.  

A major milestone came in 2019 with the Gateway Phase 2 Trail Project near the city of Mount Shasta, California. The project authorized construction of 47 miles of new trail, four trailheads, and expansion of a campground. Partner-driven grant funding supported contracts for project design, environmental analysis, and much of the trail layout and construction. The Gateway project has become a model for how collaboration and community investment can accelerate recreation development on national forests.  

Additional recreation opportunities are planned through the South Fork Sacramento Public Safety and Forest Restoration Project, a landscape-scale effort that integrates recreation access with forest health and wildfire risk reduction. The project proposes 48 miles of new trail, six new trailheads, two new campgrounds, and upgrades to four developed recreation sites. Environmental analysis was completed in 2023 and a decision authorizing the recreation components is pending.  

On the west side of the forest, employees and partners have expanded the Weaver Basin Trail System, increasing the network from roughly 50 miles to approximately 75 miles of non-motorized multiuse trail. About two-thirds of this mileage follows historic routes dating back to the region’s mining era, with the remaining third representing new trail construction. Environmental review for this work was completed as part of a basin-wide fuels reduction project, once again demonstrating the benefits of coordinating recreation planning with wildfire resilience efforts.

Planning is also underway to expand trail opportunities along the Trinity Lake shoreline within the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. The project proposes 20 miles of new single-track trail, upgrades to 1.25 miles of trail to meet full accessibility standards, and construction of 1.5 miles of new accessible trail. The project also includes redesigning and reconstructing accessible pathways and campsites in developed recreation areas to better serve today’s visitors.  

While environmental analysis is a key milestone, design and engineering are equally important steps in developing new recreation infrastructure. The forest has relied on the Forest Service Enterprise Program to help design improvements to campgrounds, day-use areas, and trail systems. Partnerships with the National Forest Foundation, local governments, and nonprofit organizations have also helped secure grant funding to support engineering and construction.

Local partners continue to play a central role in bringing recreation projects forward. Their involvement has helped generate ideas, secure funding, and sustain momentum as the forest works to expand recreation opportunities while balancing competing priorities.

As new infrastructure is developed, the forest is also prioritizing long-term maintenance. Employees and partners have created a Trail Volunteer Crew Leader task book program and host trail stewardship summits to expand local volunteer capacity for trail maintenance. Several partners are also exploring the creation of a long-term maintenance endowment to support trail sustainability.

These recreation investments reflect the shared commitment of the Forest Service, local partners, and surrounding communities. As outdoor recreation continues to grow as an important driver of rural economies, the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is working to provide safe, sustainable and welcoming recreation opportunities for the next generation of visitors.