Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Offers Watersports and More

Located near the town of Redding in northern California, the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is a unit of the Whiskeytown-Trinity-Shasta National Recreation Area and the only part of the park administered by the National Park Service. The remainder of the complex includes the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which is maintained by the United States Forest Service.

The central attraction at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is Whiskeytown Lake, a man-made reservoir that covers 3,200 acres and includes about 36 miles of shoreline. Myriad water activities are permitted on the lake at this year-round park. Motor boating and sailing are both quite popular and can be enjoyed throughout a large portion of the year. Guests can also canoe or kayak on Whiskeytown Lake and are permitted to water ski as well. However, jet skiing is not permitted. Fishing is permitted from a boat or from the shore. A variety of species inhabit the lake.

The beaches along the lake are lovely and offer plenty of opportunity for sunning and swimming. Beaches are located at Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek and East Beach, with lifeguards provided only at Brandy Creek during the summer months. Scuba diving is also permitted in the waters of the lake. In addition, several picnic areas are located near Whiskeytown NRA's beaches, including facilities that may be reserved upon request.

For hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, there are 24 established trails in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. The National Park Service offers trail guides that divide trips into easy, moderate, and difficult and information on how to access each trail or loop. Many visitors choose to hike to Whiskeytown's four waterfalls - Boulder Creek Falls, Brandy Creek Falls, Whiskeytown Falls, and Lower Crystal Creek Falls. Trails are provided to each of the falls and the hike includes the opportunity to view local flora and fauna. The falls are at their best during the spring run-off season when water is abundant. Park visitors may pick up a "waterfall stamp card'' which can be validated at each destination. Those who visit all four waterfalls are often rewarded with admission to a local attraction.

Hikers may also make their way up to the top of the most prominent peak in the park, Shasta Bally. Those who do not wish to make the 6,200 foot climb can access the peak and its views via a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The peak is closed in the winter for safety reasons.

Ranger-guided activities within the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area include kayak tours of Whiskeytown Lake as well as Junior Ranger and Firefighter programs for children. Guests can also go panning for gold as in the Gold Rush days and may visit the Camden House, the 1852-built home of local prospector Charles Camden.

Camping opportunities at Whiskeytown NRA include the Brandy Creek RV campground, the Dry Creek and Oak Bottom tent campgrounds, and a number of primitive campsites. The primitive campsites include restrooms and food storage lockers as well as fire rings. Amenities vary at the others and may include hot showers, vault or flush toilets, drinking water, and a dump station. Reservations are accepted at some sites during busy times of the year.