Whiskeytown National Recreational Area (U.S. National Park Service)

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Welcome to Whiskeytown

Located 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of animal and plant life. Some of the park’s features are Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally (6,209 ft.) and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

On The Lake

Lake based recreation is popular during the drier summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, rowing and fishing. Sailing, water skiing and boating are also popular. Personal watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown, but are still allowed on Shasta and Trinity Lakes.

At Oak Bottom, Whiskeytown's Concession Operator Forever Resorts offers year-round moorage/slip rentals. During the summer season, boat rentals, a snack bar (Wed - Sun), hot showers, and a marina store are open at Oak Bottom.

Lifeguards are on duty daily at Brandy Creek Beach during the summer season and a snack bar is open (Wed - Sun).

		Exploring Whiskeytown Camping is available near the water at Oak Bottom Campground as well as in select back country campsites. Hiking and mountain biking are popular on the many trails at Whiskeytown. Many of the trails tour historic sections of the park and Gold Rush Era buildings, mines and miner’s ditches may be seen. Ranger guided programs are offered during the summer months, including gold panning and kayak tours.

		White House to Whiskeytown Whiskeytown Lake was formed as part of the Central Valley Water Project, providing water for agriculture and was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Although local creeks such as Brandy Creek flow into the lake, most of the water in Whiskeytown Lake comes from the Trinity River. This water is diverted over the mountains by tunnels and penstocks to the Judge Carr Powerhouse.

Write to

P.O. Box 188
14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Whiskeytown, CA 96095-0188

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Center
(530) 246-1225

Park Headquarters
(530) 242-3400

Fax

(530) 246-5154

Climate

Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often over 100 degrees. Visitors should wear light weight clothing, including a hat when in the sun. Fall days can be warm but with cooler evenings. Winters are wet, the park receives over 55 inches of rain with snow at the higher elevations. Winter daytime temperatures can be pleasant when it's not raining. Visitors should wear layers and be prepared for dropping temperatures towards evening. Rains can persist until late May.
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