About Whiskeytown
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. Adventure awaits at every turn—Whiskeytown is calling!
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- West
- State
- California
- Designation
- National Recreation Area
- Entrance fee
- $25, private vehicle
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Whiskeytown.
Entrance fees
- $25 Private Vehicle Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area only. For more information visit https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74295.
- $15 Per Person
- $20 Motorcycle
Passes
- $55 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Certain areas of the park are subject to seasonal and COVID-19 temporary closures or limited hours. Some areas of the park remain closed due to hazardous conditions from the Carr Fire. Please check the park website for current information.
Weather and when to go
Whiskeytown NRA is in a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, dry summers followed by cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 90's to lower 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as the occasional thunderstorm. Winter brings snow to the upper elevations (only occasionally down to the lake level of 1,200'), and rain and ice. See the park weather page for the current weather.
Getting there
Car From Interstate 5, take the Highway 44 West exit toward Downtown Redding and Eureka. From Downtown Redding, follow Highway 299 west toward Eureka for approximately 8 miles to reach the Visitor Center. Plane Commercial air service is available to Redding California located approximately 16 miles from Whiskeytown. Rental vehicles are available.
Contact the park
- Address
- 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Whiskeytown, CA 96095
- Phone
- (530) 242-3400
- Official site
- nps.gov/whis
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Whiskeytown
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Whiskeytown
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Gold Panning at Whiskeytown NRA
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 d…
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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 t…
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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 a…
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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 ca…
Campgrounds in Whiskeytown
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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Sheep Camp
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 B…
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Peltier Bridge
Sited along Clear Creek, the Peltier Bridge campground offers 9 sites and access to numerous trails. All sites offer a bear-proof storage locker, picnic table,…
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Horse Camp
Horse Camp is specifically for camping with horses. The open area allow ease of parking for horse trailers. Several trails are accessible from this campground.…
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Brandy Creek
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, moun…
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Brandy Creek RV
A secluded hilltop RV site close to Brandy Creek Marina and within walking distance of Brandy Creek Beach, the Brandy Creek trail and the Davis Gulch trail. Ca…
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Crystal Creek
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…
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Dry Creek Group Campground
Dry Creek Group Campground includes two large campsites. Each site is primitive and may be reserved for groups of up to 50 people (20 people minimum). The camp…
What to pack for Whiskeytown
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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