About the Park
Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, established in 1994, is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley. Some of the park’s features are Whiskeytown Lake, the Shasta and Trinity units, and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Points of Interest
Forest Service
The Trinity Unit, centered on Trinity Lake and Lewiston Lake, has four subunits: the Lewiston Lake, Trinity Dam, Stuart Fork, and North Lake Units. The Shasta Unit, centered on Shasta Lake, has four tributary arms; Sacramento River, Pit River, Squaw Creek, and McCloud River.
National Park Service
The Whiskeytown Unit of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area is 42,500 acres, centered on Whiskeytown Lake.
Camping
Oak Bottom
tent campground has fire grates and central restrooms. Lakeside tent sites are $25.00/night with other tent sites at $23.00/night. Oak Bottom RV sites (separate from tent campground) include a central restroom, dump station, water, but no hookups. Sites are $20.00/night during the summer season, April 15 to October 15, during the off season, October 16 to April 14, all sites are $11. Maximum 6 persons per site. Your pets are allowed for a fee of $2.00 per night per pet.
Whiskeytown's primitive campsites have fire rings, tables, food storage lockers, and restrooms. The sites are available only on a first-come-first-served basis. Permits available at the Visitor Center for $15.00/night (no advanced reservations accepted). Maximum 6 persons per site.
Brandy Creek
has RV camping for self-contained units only - a dump station and water provided; no hookups or restrooms. The sites are offered on a first come first served basis (no advance reservations accepted), and are paved parking spots on an access road. The fee is $15.00 per night. Permits are available at the campground registration box.
Dry Creek
Group Campground is located just beyond the Brandy Creek Beach day use area. There are two designated group sites in this tent campground. Each site contains two large serving tables, numerous picnic tables, a large charcoal barbecue grill, a cleared fire pit area, vault toilets, bear-proof storage lockers and drinking water. Each site can hold a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 people and are available by reservation. Larger groups may reserve both sites for a total of 100 campers.
Park Hours & Fees
Park Hours
The Visitor Center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. On Wednesday, November 21st the Visitor Center will close at 1 p.m. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park Headquarters business offices are open weekdays from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.
Park Fees
$10.00 Week - Valid at Whiskeytown for 7 days from date of purchase.
$40.00 Whiskeytown Annual Pass - Valid for one year from month of purchase.
The Whiskeytown Annual Pass is also valid for entrance into Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Park Activities
Water-based activities are the primary interest of most Whiskeytown visitors which include boating, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving, and fishing.
In addition, the land area surrounding the lake and extending all the way to the top of Shasta Bally (6199 ft. elevation) provides ample opportunities for birdwatching, camping, picnicking, wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Tower House Historic District dates back to the California Gold Rush. Opportunities in this area include gold panning, interpretive wayside exhibits, and the Camden House, built in the 1852 and later expanded. Whiskeytown has four major waterfalls that you can visit all year. Attending a ranger-led program is a great way for families and friends to learn about nature and cultural history while participating in fun and exciting outdoor activities.