Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Custom Search Of the three parts of the Whiskeytown - Shasta - Trinity National Recreation Area, the Whiskeytown Unit (authorized Nov. 8, 1965 and established October, 21,1972), is the only unit administered by the National Park Service. The Whiskeytown Unit, with its mountainous back country and man-made large reservoir offers many summer activities such as hiking and boating as well as the historical remains of buildings built during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Whiskeytown Lake, with 36 miles of shoreline and covering 3200 acres, is excellent for most water-related activities, including swimming, scuba diving, water skiing, boating and fishing. The lake was created by diverting water through tunnels and penstocks, from the Trinity River Basin to the Sacramento River Basin. The most prominent landmark within the Recreation Area is the Shasta Bally (elevation 6,209 feet). The summit may be reached on foot and by 4-wheel drive vehicle but is closed in the winter. Picnicking, hiking, hunting, interpretive programs and horseback riding are also popular within the Whiskeytown Unit. The other two units (Shasta & Trinity) offer additional activities and are administered by the Forest Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.     CONTACTS Email - WHIS_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 530-246-5154 Write to Whiskeytown NRA P.O. Box 188 Whiskeytown, CA 96095 Phone Headquarters - 530 242-3400 Visitor Information - 530 246-1225 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The park is open year round 24 hours a day. The Visitor Center is open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years). Park Headquarters is open daily from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Getting There PLANE - Commercial air service is available to Redding California located approximately 16 miles from Whiskeytown. Rental vehicles are available. CAR - From Interstate 5, take the 299 West exit toward Eureka. Follow 299 west for approximately 8 miles to reach the Visitor Center. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - The city of Redding is located 8 miles to the east and is served by Amtrak, Greyhound and the Redding Airport. Public transportation from Redding to Whiskeytown is not available, however rental cars are available at the airport and in town. Weather & Climate Summer is hot and dry with temperatures ranging from 85? - 100?+F and lows from 60? - 70?. Fall days are usually mild and warm, with cool nights with highs 60? - 80+? and lows 30? - 50?. Winter is when most of the precipitation falls, averaging over 55 inches per year. Highs range from 40? - 60? and lows from 30? - 40?. Spring is variable with many pleasant days with highs 60? - 80? and lows 30? - 50?. Lightweight, colored clothing is recommended for summer, including a hat. Layers of clothing are best for other times of the year. Accessibility The Visitor Center, Park Headquarters, and park restrooms are accessible, along with parts of some trails. Stop by the Visitor Center for details. Getting Around Roads surround the lake. However, an unpaved section from Dry Creek to Carr Powerhouse is steep with 4WD recommended, especially when wet/muddy. FEES/PERMITS Permits GOLD PANNING PERMIT A permit required for those over 17 wishing to try their luck panning for gold. Permits are available at the Visitor Center and Park Headquarters. WOOD GATHERING PERMIT Permits gathering up to 2 chords of dead and down wood only. Chainsaw inspection including spark arrestor is required. CAMPING Brandy Creek RV Campground Open All Year Sites are offered on a first come first served basis (no advance reservations accepted), and are paved parking spots on an access road. For More Information on this campground please call 530-242-3400 Dry Creek Group Tent Campground Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Open All Year Two group only campsites are available (tents only). Each can hold a maximum of 50 people and must be reserved from April 1st through September 30th. For More Information on this campground please call (530) 242-3400 off seas. Oak Bottom Campground Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Open All Year Reservations are available for the summer season from May 15th through September 15th. During the winter season, sites are available only on a first-come-first-served basis. Primitive Tent Campsites Open All Year These sites are available only on a first-come-first-served basis at Park Headquarters (no advanced reservations accepted). These sites are located away from the lake and are accessible by dirt road. For More Information on this campground please call 530 242-3400 Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP Three group day use picnic areas are available. LODGING French Gulch Hotel Open All Year BED and BREAKFAST Is open 7 days a week from March thru December. The hotel offers eight rooms with queen beds, comforters with ruffled coordinates and other romantic touches to capture the nostaligic mood of yesterday. For More Information on this lodging please call 530-359-2112 FACILITIES Visitor Centers WHISKEYTOWN VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Phone - 530 246-1225 Location - From Interstate 5, take the 299 West exit toward Eureka. Follow 299 west for approximately 8 miles to reach the Visitor Center Closures - Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving Days Exhibits - This small visitor center has 3 exhibits on the California Gold Rush. Available Facilities - A wide selection of books and information are available at the Visitor Center, including books on California Gold Rush and local Native Americans.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.   Campgrounds Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Oak Bottom, Whiskeytown, 3 miles away Oak Bottom Campground, Shasta County, 3 miles away Dry Creek Campground, Shasta County, 5 miles away Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Dry Creek Group, Whiskeytown, 5 miles away Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Brandy Creek Trailer Camp, Redding, 5 miles away Brandy Creek Campground, Shasta County, 5 miles away Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Brandy Creek, Whiskeytown, 6 miles away   Marinas Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Oak Bottom Marina, Whiskeytown , 5 miles away Pine Cove Marina, Lewiston , 14 miles away Trinity ALPS Marina-Fairview, Lewiston , 14 miles away Sugarloaf Resort, Lakehead , 16 miles away Marina RV Park, Redding , 17 miles away   Hotels Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Lewiston Hotel, Lewiston , 14 miles away The Old Lewiston Inn, Lewiston , 14 miles away Shasta Lodge, Redding , 16 miles away Travelodge Redding CA, Redding , 16 miles away Rodeway Inn Redding, Redding , 16 miles away Americas Best Value Inn, Redding , 16 miles away Fairfield Inn & Suites Redding, Redding , 17 miles away   Trails Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Dry Creek Trail, Shasta County , 12 miles away, 3.7 hiking miles, 188 feet elevation difference   Ski Areas Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Mount Shasta, California , 42 miles away, 1390 foot drop, 5 lifts, 32 runs Mt. Ashland, Oregon , 72 miles away, 1195 foot drop, 4 lifts, 23 runs   Whitewater Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Brandy Creek, Shasta County , 6 miles away, Class V+ - 2 miles long (above Whiskeytown Reservoir) Clear Creek Sacramento Tributary, Shasta County , 7 miles away, Class IV - 8 miles long (Whiskeytown Reservoir to Sacramento Valley) Clear Creek Sacramento Tributary, Shasta County , 12 miles away, Class IV(V+) - 16 miles long (Clear Creek Campground to Trinity Mountain Road) Cottonwood Creek - North Fork, Shasta County , 13 miles away, Class II-IV - 8 miles long (Ono to Gas Point Road) Trinity River, Trinity County , 14 miles away, Class II - 30.3 miles long (Lewiston to Junction City)   Public Lands Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Shasta National Forest, California , 23 miles away Weaverville Joss House State Park, California , 23 miles away Castle Crags State Park, California , 31 miles away   Golf Courses Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area: Lake Redding Golf Course, Redding , 15 miles away Gold Hills Golf Club, Redding , 17 miles away Allen's Golf Course, Redding , 18 miles away River Bend Golf & Country Club, Redding , 18 miles away Golf Club Tierra Oaks, Redding , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Trinity Lake, Trinity County , 12 miles away Shasta Lake, Shasta County , 13 miles away