Whiskeytown

Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area  

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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.

VISITATION:

One million annual visitors. Highest May through September.
 
LOCATION:
8 miles west of Redding, California on State Route 299 West.
 
ADDRESS:
Superintendent
Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity NRA
P.O. Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA 96095
 
TELEPHONE:
Headquarters 530-242-3400 Visitor Center: 530-246-1225
 
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.
 
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
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.
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.
 
DIRECTIONS:
From Interstate 5, take the 299 West exit toward Eureka. Follow 299 west for approximately 8 miles to reach the Visitor Center.
 
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.
 
FEES, COST, RATES:
 
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is one of 101 parks participating in the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program (on a trial basis). Congress approved the program in 1996 on a trial basis to provide additional funding for backlogged natural resource, maintenance, and visitor service projects. 80% of the revenue will remain at the park that collects the money and the other 20% will go to parks without a fee program.
 
The following are currently in effect.

A $5.00 Day Use Pass ($2.50 for Golden Age/Golden Access Passholders) can be purchased using the park's fee machines located at the Visitor Center, Brandy Creek Marina and Beach, Oak Bottom campground and Whiskey Creek picnic area. See "Camping and Group Areas" information below.

A $30.00 Annual Pass ($15.00 for Golden Age/Golden Access Passholders) can be purchased using the fee machines at the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters.

A $10.00 Primitive Tent Campsite Permit ($5.00 for Golden Age/Golden Access Passholders) is required; permits are available at Park Headquarters. See "Camping and Group Areas" information below.

A $1.00 Gold Panning Permit is required for those wishing to try their luck panning for gold. Permits are available at the Visitor Center and Park Headquarters.

A $10.00 Wood Gathering Permit is available at the Park Headquarters.

A Special Use Permit is required for special activities or for organizations wanting to utilize the area for official functions. Contact Park Headquarters for specifics.

Note that:

Golden Eagle Passes are not valid for Day Use or Camping.

Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are good for a 50% discount on Day Use and Camping.

Camping permits include day use so campers do not need to purchase an additional Day Use Pass.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Self-guiding trails

Picnic, swim and beach areas

Boat launch ramps

Boat rentals

45 miles of hiking trails

The Recreation Area is open all year, but some areas are closed in the winter. Visitors should inquire at the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters for current information or call 530-246-1225 (visitor center) or 242-3400 (headquarters).

Acreage-42,503.46 acres total ( Federal: 42,459.30 - - - Nonfederal: 44.16 - - -Lake area: 3200 acres. )
 
Visitor Center/Exhibits: A wide selection of books and information are available at the Visitor Center, including books on California Gold Rush and local Native Americans.
 
Trails, Roads: Whiskeytown offers 45 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. There are many dirt and 4WD roads (that are useable by street legal vehicles only). Roads in the higher elevations close in the winter and re-open in the spring.
 
Programs/Activities: Ranger guided programs are offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. Program activities and schedules will be posted, as they become available. Please call (530) 242-3400 for more information.
 
Camping and Group Areas:

Reservations are available for Oak Bottom and Dry Creek by telephone through BIOSPHERICS' National Parks Reservation Service. They can be reached by telephone at 1-800-365-2267 or on their Campground Reservation Page.

Oak Bottom Campground offers $18.00/night lakeside tent sites, $16.00/night tent sites, and $14.00 RV sites. 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 $12.50 fee to change or cancel a reservation.

Dry Creek Group Tent Campground offers 2 campsites (tents only). Each can hold a maximum of 50 people and must be reserved from April 1st through September 30th. There is a $12.50 fee to change or cancel a reservation.

Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area offers 3 group day use picnic areas. 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 $12.50 fee to change or cancel a reservation.

Primitive Tent Campsites are available only on a first-come-first-served basis at Park Headquarters (no advanced reservations accepted). Sites are located throughout the backcountry of Whiskeytown. Summer rate $10.00/night and winter $5.00/night.

Brandy Creek RV Campground offers sites on a first come first serve basis (no advance reservations accepted). Summer $14.00 per night / winter $7.00 per night. Permits are only available at the Brandy Creek Marina Pay Station.

 
Food/supplies: Beach snack bars and Marina Stores operate daily through the summer.
 
Campground Info: Campground reservations may be made by calling BIOSPHERICS National Parks Reservation Service at 1-800-365-2267. Select Whiskeytown from the menu. You may only make reservations 5 months in advance of your stay. See above for campground specifics.
 
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities: Boat rentals are available at Oak Bottom Marina. The park Visitor Center offers information and publications year round.
 
Accessibility: The Visitor Center, Park Headquarters, and park restrooms are accessible, along with parts of some trails. Stop by the Visitor Center for details.
 
Special Needs: The Visitor Center offers natural history items that can be picked up and handled by visitors, including visually impaired visitors.
 
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
 
Water based activities including - swimming, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving, and fishing.
Backcountry provides ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Historic District - This area dates back to the California Gold Rush and allows visitors the chance to visit the entrance to a hardrock mine, a house built in the 1850's and the chance to Pan for Gold.
 
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Camping permits may be reserved through BIOSPHERICS National Parks Reservation Service at 1-800-365-2267 or purchased onsite, space permitting. Gold panning and wood permits are available at Park Headquarters. A special use permit is required for special activities or for organizations wanting to utilize the area for official functions.
 
 BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Consider stopping by the Visitor Center for orientation and suggested activities. Water based recreational opportunities are very popular during the summer months. Fishing, hiking, and mountain biking (on most trails and roads) are popular year round.
 
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
Ranger guided programs. (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
 
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Hot summer temperatures are normal with swimming and lake activities providing some relief. Parking can be difficult on popular weekends.
 
SAFETY CONCERNS:
Poison Oak is commonly found in thickets and wooded slopes.
Rattlesnakes are common in the foothills.
Bears make their home here. Please remember to store food properly and never feed bear or any wildlife.
Never enter an abandoned mine unless it is part of a park sponsored and supervised interpretive program.
 
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Shasta State Historical Park, and Redwood National Park are all within 3 hours driving time as well as the other two units of the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area .
 
OTHER RECREATION ACTIVITIES:
 
  • Shasta -Trinity Units
  • Forest Service
  • Shasta County
    • Last Updated:Thursday, 05-Aug-99 18:47:04
    http://www.nps.gov/whis/

    Authors: James Dalziel, Steve Thede