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Trinity Lake (also known as Clair Engle) is the third largest man-made lake in California. When full, it has 145 miles of shoreline, is 20 miles long, and has 16,000 surface acres. The shoreline is rugged and densely forested with hundred of hidden coves and offers excellent opportunities for houseboating, waterskiing, fishing, swimming, and camping.

Construction of Trinity Dam began in 1957 and was completed in 1961. It is one of the highest earth-fill dams in the world. It rises 465 feet from bedrock, is 1/2 mile through at the base and 1/2 mile wide across the top. The hydroelectric generators housed in the building at the base of the dam can produce enough electricity to power a small city.

The Stuart Fork Arm is the hub of most of the activity on the lake. It extends to the west and is fed by the Stuart Fork and the East Fork of the Stuart Fork of the Trinity River. Numerous campgrounds, picnic areas, beaches, boat ramps, resorts and marinas line its shores.

The Main Arm of the lake stretches from the dam north for about 12 miles. Here you can explore secluded, tree lined, coves or spend a quiet night at a boat-in campground. Lodging and other accommodations on the main arm range from a marina and boat ramp to Forest Service Campgrounds.

The North Lake Area is quieter and more relaxed but provides a variety of services, supplies, facilities and recreation activities. It offers public campgrounds and a wide open expanse of water excellent for water-skiing. Also available are the commercial services of Trinity Center, including a campground, an airport, and a marina with a public ramp and boat rentals.

Dozens of accommodations dot the western approaches to the lake, some privately owned and operated, and some managed by the Forest Service. Facilites include campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas, beaches, full-service marinas, restaurants, and various types of lodgings. The eastern side of the lake is much more primitive in nature and offers an alternative to campers seeking solitude and relatively restricted automobile access. Trinity Lake is the centerpeice of the Trinity Unit of Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area.