Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
Don't Move a Mussel!
Hey Boaters, please clean, drain, and dry your boat before setting out on Whiskeytown Lake. Thank you for doing your part to keep the Golden Mussel, an aquatic invasive species, out of this clean reservoir.
Temporary Road Closures can Occur in Winter
While the majority of park roads remain open, these three sometimes temporarily close to vehicles due to winter weather: Crystal Creek Road, Mill Creek Road, and Peltier Valley Road from Brandy Creek Road.
Partial Closure due to Carr Fire
While most of the park has reopened after the 2018 Carr Fire, some areas are still closed for safety. Please exercise caution when hiking in areas affected by the Carr Fire.
Burned Area Safety Advisory
The Carr Fire has increased risks to visitors; falling trees, broken and hanging limbs, burned out stump holes, abandoned mine features, and loose rocks remain in much of the burned area. Remember to watch the ground you walk on, as well as above you.
Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the resilience of nature in its post-fire recovery....
This two site campground is found just off Brandy Creek Road, with Brandy Creek accessible a short walk away. The Brandy Creek trail, popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, runs next to the campground. This campsite is closed during the winter. Both sites are in partial shade and feature a bear-proof storage locker, picnic table, lamp pole, fire pit with swing-arm BBQ grill, and an ADA accessible vault toilet. Each site has a maximum occupancy of six people and two vehicles.
All reservations or payments must be made online at ww.recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877- 833-6777. No reservations or payments can be made at the campground or Visitors Center. Reservations can be made the day you arrive or up to six months in advance. Once you arrive you may select any open site.
Brandy Creek RV Campground is located on the south side of Whiskeytown Lake near Brandy Creek Marina and the popular Brandy Creek picnic area and swim beach. Sites are located on a paved lot surrounded by oak and pine trees. Tent camping is not allowed, and all camping vehicles must be self-contained with a toilet and wastewater receptacle, as there are no restrooms on site. A dirt path begins at the campground and switchbacks down to a bridge over Brandy Creek before meeting up with a paved trail that winds through the Brandy Creek picnic area to a swim beach. Restrooms, showers and a small store are located at Brandy Creek beach. Kayaks and paddleboards may be rented at the beach in the summer.
The Crystal Creek campground offers two secluded sites along Crystal Creek and is a short drive away from both Crystal Creek falls and the James K. Carr trail to Whiskeytown Falls. This campsite is closed during the winter. A fairly steep dirt road accesses the campsites. Both sites are well shaded and feature a bear-proof storage locker, picnic table, lamp pole, fire pit with swing-arm BBQ grill, with a shared ADA accessible vault toilet. Each site has a maximum occupancy of six people and two vehicles.
Reservations are required for Dry Creek Group Campground and can be made up to six months in advance. In 2021, the campground is open June 1st to October 31st. The fee is $80 per site per night. Minimum of 20 people per site, maximum of 50 people per site. To make a reservation, follow the URL link or call 1-877-444-6777.
The campground is located on a peninsula where John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive ends on the south side of Whiskeytown Lake. The campground is in a park-like setting of oak woodland, surrounded on three sides by lakeshore. There are two group sites, each able to accommodate up to 50 people. Sites include picnic tables, a fire ring with a grill, a larger grill and several bear-resistant storage lockers. Additional picnic tables are located some distance away from the group sites. There are two ADA accessible vault-style restroom facilities in the campground.
Horse Camp is a primitive campground with two sites that can each accommodate up to 10 people. It is located about two miles down Paige Bar Road from Kennedy Memorial Drive. The last half mile of the road is gravel. A large parking area separates the two sites and can accommodate up to three vehicles per site, including large RVs and trailers. There is an ADA accessible vault toilet on the east end of the parking lot and a hand pump is available for water. Each site includes two picnic tables, a fire ring and swing-arm grill, a bear-resistant food storage locker, and a lantern pole. Three vehicles and three tents maximum. Sites are open and sunny with some light shade under pine and oak trees. Horses are allowed, although no corrals or hitching poles are provided. Several trails can be accessed directly from the campground or from Mule Town Road, which is a dirt road crossing Paige Bar Road a short distance past the campground. The Guardian Rock trail begins at the south side of the parking lot as a paved ADA accessible path to an overlook of Clear Creek one quarter mile from the trailhead. This trail continues as a dirt path and follows Clear Creek upstream for an additional three quarters of a mile to an alternate trailhead.
Peltier Bridge Campground has nine camp sites and is located beside Clear Creek downstream from Whiskeytown Lake. Campsites are well-spaced and shaded by pine and oak. Each site has a picnic table, a firepit with a grill, a bear-resistant food locker and a lantern pole. There is an ADA accessible vault toilet facility near the middle of the campground. Clear Creek may be accessed by a short dirt path just upstream from Peltier Bridge.
Sheep Camp is nestled in the mixed oak/pine/fir woodlands with nearby access to numerous trails and is a great launching point for treks up the 6,199' Shasta Bally, the highest point in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This campsite is closed during the winter. All sites are in partial shade and feature a bear-proof storage locker, picnic table, lamp pole, fire pit with swing-arm BBQ grill, with a shared ADA accessible vault toilet. Each site has a maximum occupancy of six people and two vehicles.
Brandy Creek Boat Launch and picnic area is located near Brandy Creek Beach, Brandy Creek RV and Dry Creek Group camping areas all of which are on the south side of Whiskeytown Lake. The launch area has a large parking lot designed to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers, accessible rest rooms as well as an adjacent picnic area that is right on the water. Boat moorage and dry storage are also available here.
Brandy Creek Boat Launch and picnic area is located near Brandy Creek Beach, Brandy Creek RV and Dry Creek Group camping areas all of which are on the south side of Whiskeytown Lake. The launch area has a large parking lot designed to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers, accessible rest rooms as well as an adjacent picnic area that is right on the water. Boat moorage and dry storage are also available at this location. Brandy Creek Boat Launch is a good option on busy summer weekends when the other boat launches may become crowded as it tends to be slightly less utilized and has a very large parking area. Whether you are heading out for a day on the lake to fish or to just enjoy being out on the water it is a great option for launching your kayak, paddleboard, or boat. Other boat launches are located at the Whiskey Creek Boat Launch and Oak Bottom Boat Launch areas. Access to the boat launch area can be made by turning on J. F. Kennedy Memorial Drive from Highway 299 at the Visitor Center and then proceeding across the dam, and continuing past the entrance to Brandy Creek Beach until you see the sign for Brandy Creek Boat Launch.
The short 0.3 mile trail to Crystal Creek Falls is paved, flat, and accessible. The shallow natural pool at the base of the cascade is a popular spot for swimming and wading in the summer. There is ample shade.
From Highway 299 west, follow Crystal Creek road for 2 miles until you see the rehabilitated quarry area on your left. This is the parking area for the trail. Huge piles of rock were removed from the tunnel between Lewiston Dam and Carr Powerhouse and deposited here. Walk the paved trail behind the gate for about 1/3 mile until you reach a picnic and barbecue area. The falls are immediately ahead of you. As you look at Crystal Creek Falls, you will see a small concrete structure on the right. This building houses an overflow valve for the tunnel. The valve is used when letting water out through Carr Powerhouse is not an option. The excess water from the tunnel then spills into Crystal Creek. When the overflow structure was built, the Bureau of Reclamation rerouted Crystal Creek. The creek was moved about 50 feet to the left to make a shortcut over the creek, creating this picturesque waterfall. This makes Crystal Creek the only “man-made” waterfall in the park.
Whiskeytown Falls is a series of cascades which drop 220 feet as the east fork of Crystal Creek winds down the slope of Shasta Bally. The falls are accessed by the James K. Carr trail, a moderately strenuous 3.4 mile round-trip path which follows old logging routes through shade and sun in a forested area that was only lightly affected by the Carr Fire of 2018.
Trailhead: Parking for the James K. Carr trail is located 3.5 miles up Crystal Creek Road on the west side of the park. A gravel parking lot will be on your left, perched over the forested ravine of Crystal Creek near the end of the paved road. If you have arrived at a closed gate, you have gone a little too far. A vault-style restroom is provided at the trailhead on the east side of the gravel lot. History: Before becoming a park, the land was privately owned by Arthur Coggins, whose logging company selectively removed Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and incense cedar during the 1950s. At this time, the loggers were generally the only people who knew about the falls. Hiking up the path, try to imagine the logging trucks that regularly drove up and down this former logging road. Park rangers initially learned about the waterfall in 1967 but kept it quiet. At that time, the park did not have the staff to protect this treasure or the money to construct a trail to the falls. Eventually, these rangers moved on and others who knew about the site passed away. Knowledge of the falls was generally forgotten and only a few residents visited the falls over the years. It was in 2004 that park biologist Russ Weatherbee “rediscovered” the falls while viewing aerial photos. Intrigued, he and park geologist Brian Rasmussen hiked into the area and found the falls. The trail is named after James K. Carr, a former Shasta County resident, who became the Undersecretary of the Interior during the Kennedy Administration in 1963. He was determined to set aside Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally and the surrounding mountains as a national park site. Carr was successful and on November 8, 1963, Congress created the 42,000-acre Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
Just before he was assassinated, during a conservation and political tour of western states, U.S. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy dedicated Whiskeytown Dam in front of several dignitaries and thousands of locals. A year later, a small but formal memorial was dedicated to honor and remember the slain leader at the location he had spoken at.
The memorial is located at the south east corner of Whiskeytown Lake at the intersection of J.F.K Memorial Drive and Paige Bar roads. It has a large parking area with an expansive view of the lake as well as the glory hole spillway which servers as an overflow for the lake. The actual memorial was designed by an Italian American artist with ties to Redding, Roberto Ciabani designed the Kennedy Memorial. In his bass relief sculpture, Ciabani depicts the president’s legacy through a series of panels representing specifically the Peace Corps, Defense of Liberty, Civil Rights, conservation (including reclamation), and Kennedy’s Whiskeytown Dam dedication.
Oak Bottom Marina and boat launch is located directly adjacent to Oak Bottom Beach and picnic area as well as the Oak Bottom Tent and RV campgrounds all of which are on the north side of Whiskeytown Lake.
Oak Bottom Marina and boat launch is located directly adjacent to Oak Bottom Beach and picnic area as well as the Oak Bottom Tent and RV campgrounds all of which are on the north side of Whiskeytown Lake. The launch area has a large parking lot designed to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers and has a fish cleaning station and accessible rest rooms. Also located in the boat launch area is a campground store & the marina store and office which offers boat rentals. Boat moorage and dry storage are also available at this location by arrangement with our partner Whiskeytown Marinas LLC. Oak Bottom Marina and boat launch which is located directly off Highway 299 is not only a convenient location to launch your boat but offers a variety of recreational opportunities including boating, camping, hiking, picnicking and swimming opportunities. Whether you are heading out for a day on the lake to fish or to just enjoy being out on the water it is a great option for launching your kayak, paddleboard, or boat. Other boat launches are located at the Whiskey Creek Boat Launch and Brandy Creek Marina and boat launch.
Located in the western section of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area where three creeks merge into one, Tower House Historic District is the park’s signature historic site. Wintu heritage merges with California Gold Rush history here, and big names associated with the historic district include Levi Tower, Charles and Philena Camden, and American Indian servant Kate Camden.
Located in the western section of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area where three creeks merge into one, Tower House Historic District is the park’s signature historic site. Wintu heritage merges with California Gold Rush history here, and big names associated with the historic district include Levi Tower, Charles and Philena Camden, and American Indian servant Kate Camden. As you stroll along the paved interpretive trail, ponder the lives of these individuals and think about how they gained sustenance from the land and water.
Whiskey Creek Boat Launch at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Whiskey Creek Boat Launch and picnic area is located on the Whiskey Creek arm of Whiskeytown Lake which is on the north side of the lake. It a very popular launch point for kayakers who want to access the more sheltered Whiskey Creek area for paddling. It is also popular for boaters towing water skiers for the same reason. Whether you are heading out for a day on the lake to fish or to just enjoy being out on the water it is a great option for launching your boat. Other boat launches are located at the Brandy Creek Boat Launch and Oak Bottom Boat Launch areas. Access to the boat launch area is from Whiskey Creek Road which connects to highway 299. The launch area has a large parking lot designed to accommodate vehicles with boat trailers, an accessible rest room as well as an adjacent picnic area. There is also an accessible fishing pier located adjacent to the parking lot.
The park store is operated by Western National Parks Association, an official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to supporting the educational mission of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The park store has a wide range of books, maps, travel guides, educational games and other items available for retail sale. These products complement the interpretive themes you experience when visiting the park. The park store is located at the Whiskeytown NRA VC.
The Western National Parks Association park store is located inside of the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is located at the north end of a plaza that overlooks Whiskeytown Lake from about 200 feet above the water. Trees frame the lake view and a path leads down to the lakeshore from the south end of the parking lot. Benches and information kiosks in the plaza are covered to provide protection from the rain and sun. Native plants are featured in the plaza behind low rock walls and along a short path that loops behind the visitor center. The Visitor Center offers interpretive displays featuring the history of early settlers, as well as gift items for sale through Western National Parks Association. Entrance permits may be purchased inside and staff are available to answer questions about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Inquire about discounts available to seniors, active duty military personnel, fourth grade students, and visitors with permanent disabilities.
The Visitor Center is a great place to start when you arrive in the park. Knowledgeable staff can help you maximize your visit. The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Kennedy Memorial Drive and Highway 299. You can purchase a variety of Interagency and park-specific entrance passes as well as books, maps, and souvenir items. Exhibits outside the building introduce you to the natural and cultural history of the park. A small native plant garden is located behind the Visitor Center.
Become a gold miner for a day! Gold pan along Clear Creek at the Clear Creek picnic area. Gold was first discovered in Clear Creek in 1848 by Pierson B. Reading. The news of the discovery brought a wave of gold rush miners to Shasta County, many of whom set up camp in what is now Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The former community of Whiskeytown got its start as a mining town as settlers worked along Clear Creek and its tributaries.
Hike to Whiskeytown Falls
Whiskeytown Falls is a series of cascades which drop 220 feet as the east fork of Crystal Creek winds down the slope of Shasta Bally. The falls are accessed by the James K. Carr trail, a moderately strenuous 3.4 mile round-trip path which follows old logging routes through shade and sun in a forested area that was only lightly affected by the Carr Fire of 2018.
Paddling on Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake is one of the premier paddle-sport areas in northern California. With almost 40 miles of shoreline there are always new areas to explore. Ranger-led kayak tours are a great way to get an introduction to kayak and paddle boarding with a fun two-hour trip through the history and unique ecosystem of Whiskeytown. These tours run between Memorial Day and Labor Day and reservations through Recreation.gov are required.
Swimming at Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake is a fantastic location to enjoy a refreshing swim on a hot day. This lake has about 37 miles of shoreline. During the summer months surface water temperatures can reach nearly 80°F. There are three main swim beaches with amenities, Brandy Creek Beach, Oak Bottom Beach and East Beach. All three of these locations have the water roped off and closed to boating. This makes them great and safe for all ages.
