with highs in the 40's, and nighttime lows at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area through the wintertime frequently fall into the 20's. The prettiness of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is there for you to take pleasure in.
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
Entrance
Fee
PER VEHICLE
$5.00 for Day
$20.00 for Annual
Permits
GOLD PANNING PERMIT
$1.00 for Annual
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
$10.00 for Annual
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. Summer $14.00 per night / winter $7.00 per night. Permits are only available at the Brandy Creek Marina Pay Station.
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. There is a $12.85 fee to change or cancel a reservation.
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
Lakeside tent sites are $18.00/night with other tent site $16.00/night. RV sites (separate parking lot sites are $14.00. 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 at $8.00/night for tent sites and $7.00/night for RV sites. There is a $12.85 fee to change or cancel a reservation.
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. Summer rate $10.00/night and winter $5.00/night.
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. Site 1 holds 50 people at $50.00/day, site 2 & 3 hold 40 people each at $40.00/day and may only be reserved April 1st through September 30th. There is a $12.85 fee to change or cancel
a reservation.
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. The price range is $40.00 to $80.00, double occupancy, and includes a full breakfast the next morning.
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.
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