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Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area

The Sacramento River Bend Area, north of Red Bluff, is BLM land with riparian forest along the Sacramento River and rolling blue oak savanna. Trails reach most attractions by foot, mountain bike or horseback, and the Yana Trail starts from Perry Riffle, Bass Pond and Jellys Ferry. There is no potable water in the area. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

From Chico: about 1 hr 15 min (typical, without traffic)

14 days/yrCamping limit
45-50 FRiver temp
3Yana Trail trailheads
NonePotable water
Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area

Plan It in Three Lines

  • Get thereFrom Chico: about 1 hr 15 min, typical, without traffic.
  • WhenHours: none printed here. Spring brings wildflowers; summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F.
  • CostNo fee is printed on this page; check the official page before you go.

Key Facts

  • BLM says the area has habitat for bald eagles, osprey, migratory and song birds, deer and salmon.[1]
  • Most attractions along the river can be reached by foot, mountain bike or horseback, and all trails are closed to motorized vehicles.[2]
  • The Yana Trail has trailheads at Perry Riffle, Bass Pond and Jellys Ferry.[2]
  • The Yana Trail fords Inks Creek and can be impassable in wet weather; BLM asks hikers to contact the Redding Field Office before a wet-weather hike.[1]
  • Spring wildflower viewing is noted, with hills carpeted purple and yellow.[1]
  • There are no developed BLM campgrounds, but camping is allowed on most BLM lands for up to 14 days per calendar year.[1]
  • Jellys Ferry, the mouth of Inks Creek and the Bass Pond parking areas are day-use sites closed to camping.[1]
  • Bass Pond has an accessible vault toilet, a gravel path to a wooden observation deck and picnic tables.[1]
  • Jellys Ferry Day-Use Site has two picnic shelters and serves as a trailhead for the Yana Trail.[1]
  • Public boat ramps on this stretch of river are at Balls Ferry, Bend Bridge Park and Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area.[1]
  • Remnants of the historic Blue Ridge Flume can be seen from the Vista Trail and the Yana Trail.[2]
  • BLM's guide says the area is at the historic territorial intersection of the Yana to the east and the Nomlaki to the west.[2]
  • The river water is cold (45 to 50 degrees) year-round, and summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F.[1]
  • Target shooting is prohibited except at one designated area along Spring Branch Road.[1]

Areas Inside Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area

  • Yana Trail

    Trail with trailheads at Perry Riffle, Bass Pond and Jellys Ferry; fords Inks Creek.[2]

  • Paynes Creek Wetlands

    BLM-managed wetland on the Pacific Flyway created with partners to help migratory birds.[1]

  • Bass Pond

    Day-use site with an observation deck, picnic tables and an accessible vault toilet.[1]

  • Jellys Ferry Day-Use Site

    Two picnic shelters with grills; trailhead for the Yana Trail.[1]

  • Iron Canyon Trail

    Leads to Jed's Overlook, per the BLM map and guide.[2]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byBureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office
Drive from ChicoAbout 1 hr 15 min, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded)
SeasonSpring brings wildflowers; summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F.[1]
ParkingGravel or packed-dirt parking at Bass Pond, Jellys Ferry, Perry Riffle and Coyote Pond.[1]
RestroomsAccessible single vault toilets at Bass Pond, Jellys Ferry, Perry Riffle and Coyote Pond.[1]
AccessibilityBass Pond has a designated accessible parking space, a hardened gravel path and a paved spur to the observation deck; the trails were not designed with accessibility in mind.[1]
CampingNo developed BLM campgrounds; dispersed camping on most BLM land up to 14 days per calendar year. Group camping at Reading Island by BLM permit.[1]
BoatingPublic boat ramps at Balls Ferry, Bend Bridge Park and Lake Red Bluff Recreation Area; primitive launches at Jellys Ferry, Barge Hole and Perry Riffle (walk in only).[1]
PhoneBLM Redding Field Office: 530-224-2100[1]
Official pageBureau of Land Management, Redding Field Office

Not confirmedThe official pages we read do not publish hours, fees, dogs for this place.

Map of Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area

The pin uses the coordinates the operator prints. © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions

Around Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area

10 mi20 mi30 mi40 miN12345
  1. Red Bluff Recreation Area: 6.8 miles south
  2. Red Bluff and Corning: 7.0 miles south
  3. Black Butte Lake: 32.2 miles south
  4. Orland and Willows: 36.4 miles south
  5. Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park: 39.5 miles south

The yellow dot is this place. Rings are spaced so close places do not pile up, and a numbered badge may sit slightly off its true spot (a thin line ends at the true spot). Distances are straight-line miles worked out from the map points each page prints; they are not drive times or walking routes.

What We Could Not Verify

These items were not on an official page we could open on October 29, 2026, or two official pages disagree. Check with the operator before you rely on them.

  • Not confirmedTotal acreage
  • Not confirmedYana Trail length
  • Not confirmedWhether dogs are allowed on trails
  • Not confirmedAny day-use fee

More in Red Bluff & Corning

All of Red Bluff & CorningRed Bluff Recreation AreaRed Bluff and CorningAll Places

Coming Up in Red Bluff & Corning

6 events are on our calendar for Red Bluff & Corning in the next 45 days. 3 are listed as free by the organizer; 3 are marked Not confirmed because we could not confirm them on the organizer’s page yet. This list rebuilds itself every day at midnight, Pacific time.

October 2026

November 2026

  • Not confirmed

    ArtWalk 2026

    2:00 PM to 8:00 PM

    Historic Downtown Red Bluff

    Price: Free art; wine tasting ticketed

    Tehama County Arts Council event: Chalk the Block 2:00 to 4:00 PM, live music, and wine tasting 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for ArtWalk 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  • Not confirmed

    Gifts of Joy

    4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

    Gallery, Red Bluff

    Price: Free

    Handmade art and craft gift show; items priced at $100 or less. Gallery open Fri and Sat 11 AM to 3 PM through Dec 19.

    Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for Gifts of Joy (opens in a new tab)

December 2026

Sources: each card links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we checked it. This list shows the next 45 days; see every upcoming event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Yana Trail start?

BLM lists trailheads at Perry Riffle, Bass Pond and Jellys Ferry. From I-5 just north of Red Bluff, take the Jellys Ferry exit east, then Bend Ferry Road.[2]

Can you camp at the Sacramento River Bend Area?

There are no developed BLM campgrounds, but camping is allowed on most BLM land for up to 14 days per calendar year. Day-use sites like Jellys Ferry and Bass Pond are closed to camping.[1]

Is there drinking water?

No. BLM says there is no potable water in the area, so bring plenty of drinking water.[1]

Sources

  1. Sacramento River Bend Area – California | Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Land Management. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area Map & Guide (Sac_Bend_Map_Brochure_508.pdf), Bureau of Land Management. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/red-bluff-corning/sacramento-river-bend/

Coming Up Here

No dated event at Sacramento River Bend Outstanding Natural Area is on our calendar right now. We list a date only after reading it on the organizer’s own page, so an empty list means not listed yet, not that nothing is happening. See every upcoming event.

On The Map

5 places named on this page are pinned. Tap a pin for the page and directions. Dashed pins were placed from the street address and are approximate. © OpenStreetMap contributors.