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Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Designation: National Recreation Area

Location: California

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

Whiskeytown Lake’s crystal-clear waters are iconic, but this 42,000-acre National Recreation Area offers much more. Explore waterfalls, hike rugged trails, uncover Gold Rush history, and witness the resilience of nature in its post-fire recovery. Adventure awaits at every turn—Whiskeytown is calling!

🌤 Weather Information

Whiskeytown NRA is in a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, dry summers followed by cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 90's to lower 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as the occasional thunderstorm. Winter brings snow to the upper elevations (only occasionally down to the lake level of 1,200'), and rain and ice. See the park weather page for the current weather.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

A snowy day on top of Shasta Bally

A beautiful stop along Kennedy Memorial Drive

Credit: NPS Matthew Switzer

Crystal clear waters make for good paddling

Another Way to Capture the Beauty

Credit: NPS Matthew Switzer

An evening kayak tour

Thousands of vistors join interpretive rangers to get a new perspective of the lake on a moonlight kayak tour

Credit: NPS Matthew Switzer

Another way to enjoy the park

A popular recreational activity

Credit: NPS

A Fall Day at Whiskeytown Falls

One of the four major waterfalls- Whiskeytown Falls

Credit: Marissa Carlisle

Being on the Top of Shasta Bally

A popular spot for visitors to get a view of the valley and mountain ranges

Credit: Marissa Carlisle

A Beautiful Day at Boulder Creek Falls

One of the four major waterfalls- Boulder Creek Falls

Credit: NPS Matt Switzer

John F. Kennedy Memorial

John F. Kennedy Memorial

Credit: NPS

Glory Hole at Whiskeytown Lake

Glory Hole at Whiskeytown Lake

Credit: NPS

Whiskeytown NRA Visitor Center

Whiskeytown NRA Visitor Center

Credit: NPS

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
Park Entrance is $15 per person and is good for 7 days.
$15.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Entrance is $25 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.
$25.00
Entrance - Motorcycle
Park entrance for motorcycles is $20 per motorcycles and is good for 7 days.
$20.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Valid at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Crater Lake National Park, and Lava Beds National Monument for twelve months from the date of purchase, for unlimited visits to all four parks. It admits the pass holder and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and 3 others when entry is by other means (bicycle and foot). This pass covers entrance fees only and is not refundable and/or transferable.
$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, Sep 11

Sunny

Sunny

High: 84.1°F | Low: 64°F

Humidity: 17%

Wind: 8.3 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 07:26 PM

Moon: New Moon (0%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 57.6°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Sep 12

Sunny

Sunny

High: 74.3°F | Low: 53.7°F

Humidity: 31%

Wind: 16.6 mph

Rain Chance: 2%

UV Index: 6.9

Sunrise: 06:48 AM

Sunset: 07:24 PM

Moon: New Moon (3%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.5°F

Cloud Cover: 2%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, Sep 13

Sunny

Sunny

High: 74°F | Low: 47.2°F

Humidity: 46%

Wind: 7.8 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 6.4

Sunrise: 06:49 AM

Sunset: 07:23 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (8%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 49.1°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Fire Weather Watch (Severe)
▼

Fire Weather Watch issued September 10 at 10:41AM PDT until September 14 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Sacramento CA

Effective: Sep 10, 2026 1:41pm
Expires: Sep 11, 2026 7:15pm

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY
MORNING DUE TO GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA...

The National Weather Service in Sacramento CA has issued a Fire
Weather Watch.

* AFFECTED AREA...A portion of the Sacramento Valley and northern
foothills.

* TIMING...From 11 AM PDT Saturday through 11 AM PDT Monday.

* WINDS...Gusts 20 to 35 mph. South to southwest winds Saturday
morning and afternoon, becoming north to northeast Saturday evening
through Monday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Relative Humidity between 10 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly. Outdoor
burning is not recommended.

Park Alerts

Public Health Advisory for Upper Clear Creek above Whiskeytown Lake Caution
***Please Note: there is no increased risk to swimming in Whiskeytown Lake currently. This public health advisory is specific to Upper Clear Creek.*** Recent water quality monitoring in Clear Creek in and around Tower House Historic District and Clear Creek Picnic Area has unfortunately detected elevated levels of E. coli bacteria, posing an increased risk to recreational users. Because of this, the National Park Service advises visitors to avoid contact with the water in these areas of the park.

More Info

Don't Move a Mussel! Information
Hey Boaters, please clean, drain, and dry your vessel completely before setting out on Whiskeytown Lake. Thank you for doing your part to keep the Golden Mussel, an aquatic invasive species, out of the reservoir. Learn more about preventative measures.

More Info

Boat Dock Available at Whiskey Creek. Information
The dock at Brandy Creek Marina has been temporarily removed for repairs. Please launch at Whiskey Creek.
Visitor Center open 8:30am to 4:00pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Information
To complete an interior renovation construction project, the Visitor Center has been temporarily moved to the opposite end of the Visitor Center parking lot. The temporary Visitor Center is in a wheelchair accessible trailer. Please also note that the lake webcam is offline until construction is completed. Thank you for your patience.
Rebuilding Whiskeytown Environmental School Information
We are seeking public comments on our vision for rebuilding Whiskeytown Environmental School after the devastating megafire of 2018 and subsequent burn scar flooding. Read the environmental assessment and provide input.

More Info

Winter Hazards on Trails - Downed Trees and High Water Caution
While park staff clear trails several times each year, please be prepared for downed trees. Rain and wind continue to bring down dead trees within the Carr megafire burn scar, and this trend will continue for years. Also note high water at creek fords and seasonal streams during this time of year. Enjoy your national recreation area but please be safe out there.

More Info

Be aware of floating debris on the Clear Creek Arm of Whiskeytown Lake. Caution
With the reservoir being raised to full pool recently, there is a significant amount of wooden debris throughout the reservoir and most notably on the Clear Creek Arm west of Oak Bottom and below Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse. Plan like a park ranger for a safe day on the water. Click the link to learn more about water safety at Whiskeytown.

More Info

Wood & Charcoal Burn Ban Information
To protect park infrastructure and visitors during this hot, dry period of year, wood and charcoal/briquette burning is temporarily banned. Propane grills are still okay. Thank you for recreating responsibly in your national recreation area.

More Info

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Whiskeytown, CA 96095

🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 188
Whiskeytown, CA 96095

📞 Voice Phone: 5302423400

📞 Fax Phone: 5302445154

✉️ Email: whis_information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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