menu button

Recreation Areas and Campground Database

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Shasta Bally
Picnic Table and Fire Ring
Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear water is perhaps the most recognized feature of the park. However, water-based recreation is only a part of what the 42,000-acre Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has to offer. Visit waterfalls, hike through rugged mountains, explore California Gold Rush history, and observe post-fire ecology in action. Your national park is calling...

RecAreaDirections


Car From Interstate 5, take the Highway 44 West exit toward Downtown Redding and Eureka. From Downtown Redding, follow Highway 299 west toward Eureka for approximately 8 miles to reach the Visitor Center. Plane Commercial air service is available to Redding California located approximately 16 miles from Whiskeytown. Rental vehicles are available.

Open with Google Map

Misc

Stay Limit
Reservablefalse
Keywords
Map Link
Contact Phone
Contact Email

Permits info


Facilities


Brandy Creek RV Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This RV-only campground is located at the popular Brandy Creek Marina of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 13.5 miles west of Redding, California, and 3.5 hours north of Sacramento. The beach and the launch ramp are located .25 mile away from the campground, which is partially shaded by oaks and pines. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. Ample opportunities fro hiking and mountain biking are offered by a network of trails.  

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picknicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed during the appropriate season.

Facilities

The campground is on asphalt but has some shade from nearby trees. There are no restrooms, tables, hookups or fire grates. Recreational vehicles, cab-over campers, pop-up tent trailers and fifth wheels must have fully self-contained toilet and wastewater devices to be allowed here.

Natural Features

Gentle breezes from the lake, cooling shade from oaks and pines, and the sound of children playing on nearby Brandy Creek Beach make Brandy Creek RV Campground a relaxing retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, the Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a variety of wildlife and landscapes.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (530) 242-3412.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located a half mile south of the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.


Where's the Whiskey Wayside Visitor Center

Where's the Whiskey? Where's the Town? Wayside.


Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area (Whiskeytown NRA) Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area is located on the northern shore of Whiskeytown Lake in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 13 miles west of Redding, California. The Group Picnic Area is a popular spot to celebrate birthdays, family reunions, work events and many other special occasions with a day of waterside fun. This is a day use area only. The hours are 9 am to 9 pm for reservation holders. Alcohol, smoking, and pets are prohibited.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing are popular activities in the Whiskey Creek arm of the lake. Boats may be launched at nearby Whiskey Creek Launch Ramp and moored along the shore of the Group Picnic Area.

Facilities

The Group Picnic Area contains one large site and two small sites with dirt surfaces, each with two large serving tables, numerous picnic tables and a large charcoal barbecue grill. We recommend that you bring your own portable shade structures as there are no permanent ones at the site. These sites do not provide electric or water hookups. Two vault toilets service all sites.

Natural Features

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is situated where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. The Group Picnic Area features a protected cove for swimmers.

Nearby Attractions

The Whiskey Creek Launch Ramp is located 1.6 miles from the Group Picnic Area. Boats may be launched from there and moored at the Group Picnic Area. Boats are available for rent at Oak Bottom Marina, located 5.5 miles from the Group Picnic Area. Call (530) 359-2671.


DRY CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND (Whiskeytown NRA) Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This tent-only group campground is located on the southern shore of Whiskeytown Lake in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 14 miles west of Redding, California and three hours north of Sacramento. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picknicking attract visitors. Boats may be launched at nearby Brandy Creek Marina and moored at the campground.

Facilities

There are two spacious tent-only sites available at Dry Creek. Each site contains two large serving tables, numerous picnic tables, small and large charcoal barbecue grills, a cleared fire pit area, bear-proof storage lockers, vault toilets and drinking water.

Natural Features

Dry Creek Group Campground affords beautiful lake-side views and a canopy of conifer, oak and maple trees, which offer pleasant shade for campers. Whiskeytown Lake is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located one mile from the campground and features sandy beaches and a large swimming area. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddleboards and kayaks. The trailhead for Brandy Creek Falls is located four miles away.


Oak Bottom RV Facility

This RV campsite is suitable for visitors who plan to spend the majority of their time on the lake boating or want to be near a Oak Bottom boat launch and beach. A park entry fee pass is also required in addition to a camping permit.


Oak Bottom Tent Campground Campground
List of Campsites

Oak Bottom Campground is the only campground within the boundaries of Whiskeytown NRA that are located on the shores of Whiskeytown Lake. The campground is operated by a concessionaire and is open year-round. 92 sites available, there is one ADA accessible site. Seasonal coin operated showers are available within walking distance at Oak Bottom Beach.


Coggins Park Facility

Coggins Park is a single site campground in a remote and isolated section of old-growth forest on the western edge of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This campsite is closed during the winter. The site is full shaded and features a bear-proof storage locker and picnic table. No water, waste or toilet facilities - all wastes must be buried or hauled out. Both roads leading to Coggins Park are rough dirt roads which are not regularly maintained - high clearance vehicles strongly recommended.


Whiskeytown Visitor Center Facility

The Visitor Center is a great place to start when you arrive in the park. Knowledgeable staff can help you maximize your visit. The Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Kennedy Memorial Drive and Highway 299. You can purchase a variety of Interagency and park-specific entrance passes as well as books, maps, and souvenir items. Exhibits outside the building introduce you to the natural and cultural history of the park. A small native plant garden is located behind the Visitor Center.


SHEEP CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This tent-only campground is located in the center of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 17 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Ponderosa pines and fir shade the campsites which have cliffside views of Brandy Creek. Nearby trails lead to a series of lovely waterfalls or into old-growth forest high on Shasta Bally Mountain.
The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.

Facilities

Sheep Camp is a tent-only campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill and a lamp pole. Drinking water and electricity are not available. The campground has four campsites which share one vault toilet. To access these tent-only sites, walk approximately 25 feet from the parking area.
Due to a small parking area, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. The following are prohibited: all trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, cab-over campers and motorhomes. Sleeping in vehicles is not allowed. No overflow parking is available.

Natural Features

Tall pine and fir trees providing cooling shade make Sheep Camp Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located three and a half miles south of the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.


HORSE CAMP PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 15 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. This is the only campground in the park that can accommodate camping with horses, but horseback riders must share the campground with visitors who may not have horses.

The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for horseback riding, hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.

Facilities

Horse Camp can accommodate any vehicle or combination of vehicles, including trailers, RVs and RVs pulling other vehicles. Overflow parking is available. Each campsite is equipped with two picnic tables, two large bear-resistant storage lockers, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill and a lamp pole. The two campsites share a vault toilet. A hand pump provides potable water when available. There is no electricity at the site.

There are no corrals, hitching posts or troughs at the site. Horses must be high-lined or tethered to trailer.

Natural Features

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. Foothill pines lightly shade Horse Camp.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located five and a half miles from the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.


CRYSTAL CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This tent-only campground is located in the northwest corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 19 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Crystal Creek flows alongside each campsite. The campground stays relatively cool due to the creek and to the shade given by a canopy of fir, maple and pine. Three nearby trails lead to lovely waterfalls.

The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.

Facilities

Crystal Creek is a tent-on-the-ground only campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill and a lamp pole. The campground has two campsites both of which share one vault toilet. Drinking water and electricity are not available.


Due to a steep unpaved entrance road, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. The following are prohibited: all trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, cab-over campers and motorhomes. Sleeping in vehicles is not allowed. No overflow parking available.

Natural Features

The heavy forest canopy and burbling year-round creek make Crystal Creek Primitive Campground an ideal location for a peaceful retreat.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.

Nearby Attractions

The Tower House Historic District is located within the recreation area less than five miles from Crystal Creek Primitive Campground. Learn about the California Gold Rush history of the area by strolling among the historic buildings, water ditches, and a former gold mine, or by panning for gold or attending an interpretive program at the site.

Oak Bottom is located eight miles from the campground and features beaches, lakeside picnicking, and a full-service marina with boat rentals.


PELTIER BRIDGE PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This tent-only campground is located in the southeast corner of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 13.5 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Clear Creek flows past the campground, making it a popular spot for fly fishing. The camp is shaded by alders and large canyon live oaks.
The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.

Facilities

Peltier Bridge is a tent-only campground. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill, and a lamp pole. The campsites share two vault toilets. For campsites 1, 2 and 3, park and walk approximately 25-35 feet to your site. Drinking water and electricity are not available.
Due to a small parking area, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. This includes vehicles towing trailers and fifth wheels and vehicles towing pop-up campers. Motorhomes are not allowed in this campground. No overflow parking is available.

Natural Features

Tall trees providing cooling shade make Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located three and a half miles from the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.


BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

This campground is located in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area,19 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. You can hear the waters of Brandy Creek from each campsite. Brandy Creek Trail passes nearby the campground and leads to a lovely series of waterfalls.

The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.

Recreation

During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.

Facilities

Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill and a lamp pole. Each campsite has its own vault toilet. Drinking water and electricity are not available.


Brandy Creek is tent-on-the-ground camping only. No RVs, mobile homes, tent trailers, popup tents, cab-over campers, tent-car/truck hybrids allowed at this site. No overflow parking available.

Natural Features

Ponderosa pines, black oaks and firs skirt the edges of this sunny clearing above Brandy Creek.

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.

Nearby Attractions

Brandy Creek Beach is located two miles south of the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.


Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Ranger-Guided Kayak and Paddle Board Tours Ticket Facility

Overview:

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, located in northern California, is a unit of the National Park Service. The 42,000-acre park is situated eight miles west of Redding at the northern edge of the Sacramento river valley, in the foothills of the Klamath Mountains. The park was established in 1965 as part of the Central Valley project. Whiskeytown Lake provides a dependable water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power, and numerous recreational opportunities. Each year, approximately 800 thousand visitors come to enjoy the unique experiences that only can be had at Whiskeytown.

We invite you to explore the park's natural beauty, majestic views, and abundant wildlife via kayak or paddle board while participating in a ranger-guided tour.


Whiskeytown Gold Panning Pass Activity Pass


Whiskeytown Firewood Collection Pass Activity Pass


More