Overview
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is in the Shasta Cascades region of California.
1 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown Falls
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 100°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Redding)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RDD Redding Municipal Airport, Redding — 16 mi away. Directions
- ACV California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka — 85 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 143 mi away (major hub). Directions
CA-299 is the way to go. Bikes are not recommended. If you don't have a car, carpool. Do not hitch-hike or pick up hitch-hikers. Unfortunately, it is not safe in this part of the country.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Whiskeytown is an outdoor recreational haven for tourists and locals alike, a land of water, hills, and mountains transformed (for better or worse) by the activities of man. It also has a legacy of historic preservation. That said, if anything you do may disturb others enjoying what the area has to offer, don't do it. Use common sense.
History
Gold, quartz, and copper were all mined in different parts of the area at different times in Whiskeytown's history. After the Central Valley Project altered the hydrology of the Sacramento River watershed, the lake was formed, flooding the actual town of Whiskeytown. Its ruins are now located at the bottom of the lake, much like Kennett under nearby Shasta Lake.
Landscape
The area is mostly covered by forested hills and mountains, and, of course, Whiskeytown Lake itself. There are also a few gulches jutting on the other side of CA-299 from the lake proper.
Flora and fauna
Fish are abundant in the lake. Small animals (squirrels are very common) abound, as do larger ones such as bears and mountain lions.
Climate
The weather is cooler than Redding. Temperature is variable near the shore and on the lower slopes, and usually colder as you go upslope from there. Rain is common any month but summer. Snow comes in winter and spring in all areas of the park. Hail, when it falls, usually occurs at higher elevations in late fall and early spring.
Visitor information
Get in
CA-299 is the way to go. Bikes are not recommended. If you don't have a car, carpool. Do not hitch-hike or pick up hitch-hikers. Unfortunately, it is not safe in this part of the country.
Fees and permits
There is a $5.00 day-pass, a $10.00 week-pass, and a $25.00 annual pass. The latter is also valid at Lassen Volcanic National Park, the annual pass for which is interchangeable with the one for Whiskeytown.
More information:
Get around
By car, or by using the trails is best.
See
- Carr Powerhouse
- Brandy Creek trails
Do
- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Equestrian trails
- Mountain biking
- Camping
- Boating
- Viewing historic sites
Stay safe
Bears and mountain lions roam the area, so watch out! Staying on trails is a good idea.
Nearby
Shasta
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
French Gulch
City / town · 2 listings · 7 mi away
Redding
City / town · 44 listings · 10 mi away
Shasta Lake
City / town · 4 listings · 11 mi away
Palo Cedro
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
Anderson
City / town · 11 listings · 18 mi away
Weaverville
City / town · 18 listings · 21 mi away
Lakehead
City / town · 11 listings · 22 mi away
My experience
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