National recreation area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service in Shasta County, California. Entrance is $25 per vehicle, good for 7 days. It is open year-round. It has 9 developed campgrounds, from $20 a night.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area on the managing agency's own page.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area map

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.

Common questions

Entrance costs $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area costs $55. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted.
Yes. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is open year-round.
Yes. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has 9 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $20 to $80 a night. Campsites must be reserved ahead. Oak Bottom Tent and RV reserved via Whiskeytown Marinas LLC; Brandy Creek RV, Brandy Creek, Sheep Camp, Peltier Bridge, Horse Camp, Crystal Creek, and Dry Creek via recreation.gov (as of September 29, 2026). Each site holds up to 6 people. No hookups; showers available. 4 campgrounds stay open year-round. Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Pets are allowed in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. They are allowed on trails.

Fees, passes, and hours

Entrance costs $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle, each valid 7 days. An annual pass for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area costs $55. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is open year-round.

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29.

Camping in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has 9 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $20 to $80 a night. Campsites must be reserved ahead. Oak Bottom Tent and RV reserved via Whiskeytown Marinas LLC; Brandy Creek RV, Brandy Creek, Sheep Camp, Peltier Bridge, Horse Camp, Crystal Creek, and Dry Creek via recreation.gov (as of September 29, 2026). Each site holds up to 6 people. No hookups; showers available. 4 campgrounds stay open year-round. Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.

Reserve a campsite

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/whiskeytown-camping, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Pets are allowed in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. They are allowed on trails.

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/pets, checked 2026-09-28.

Boating

  • Boating is allowed.
  • 2 marinas in the park.
  • Oak Bottom and Brandy Creek marinas; boat rentals available at Oak Bottom year-round.

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/directions, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Crystal Creek Falls(0.8 mi round trip, easy)Flat paved wheelchair-accessible path to Crystal Creek Falls; popular for wading.
  • Guardian Rock Vista(0.25 mi one way, easy)Paved mostly level walk from Horse Camp to Clear Creek Canyon vista.
  • Shasta Divide Nature Loop(0.4 mi loop, easy)Short loop below the Visitor Center to the lake; only natural area unburned by Carr Fire.
  • Oak Bottom Water Ditch(2.75 mi one way, easy)Level trail along the northwest lake shore on a Gold Rush-era water ditch.
  • Davis Gulch(3.3 mi one way, moderate)Shaded trail along the southeast lake shore; spring wildflowers. No bikes/horses.
  • Mount Shasta Mine Loop(3.1 mi loop, moderate)Loop through historic mining landscape with shafts and foundations.
  • James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls(1.7 mi one way, strenuous)Steep hike to the park's longest cascade (220 ft); rock stairs to upper view.
  • Boulder Creek Falls (via South Shore Drive)(5.6 mi round trip, strenuous)Three stream fords and about 1,000 ft gain through Carr Fire regrowth.
  • Kanaka Peak(7 mi round trip, strenuous)From Kanaka Peak Trailhead; 1,100 ft gain to summit views. Longer from Peltier.
  • Camden Water Ditch(1.2 mi loop, easy)Level loop through Tower House Historic District past Levi Tower's grave.

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

What to see

  • HighlightWhiskeytown LakeReservoir with beaches, marinas, and shoreline trails for hiking and paddling.
  • HighlightWhiskeytown Falls220-foot cascade, the longest in the park; reached via James K. Carr Trail.
  • DamWhiskeytown DamDam creating Whiskeytown Lake; trails access nearby shores and vistas.
  • Historic siteTower House Historic DistrictGold Rush-era district with Camden Water Ditch and interpretive exhibits.
  • HighlightCrystal Creek FallsPicturesque waterfall on a short paved accessible trail; summer swimming hole.

Source: nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/hiking, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and water

Fishing inside the boundary: Whiskeytown Lake fishing , with stocking records and species on fishypedia.com.

Public lands next to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.