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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
