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Environmental Assessment Available for Public Review and Comment

The Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Abandoned Mine Lands Safety Installations and Crystal Creek Rock Quarry Site Reclamation has been released for public review and comment.  The open comment period is from April 7 to April 27, 2010.

Click here to view the EA
Click here to view the press release for the EA

 
Sailing on Whiskeytown Lake.

Welcome to Whiskeytown!

Located 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is geographically situated at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain Range and the northern edge of the Central Valley, making it home to a diverse collection of animal and plant life.  The park provides outdoor enthusiasts with excellent opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping.

On the Lake

Lake based recreation is popular during the drier summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface  is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, rowing and fishing. Sailing, water skiing and boating are also popular.  Check out the Whiskeytown Webcam for current conditions.

Personal watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown, but are still allowed on Shasta and Trinity Lakes.

ATTENTION BOATERS!
Whiskeytown has implemented a Quagga and Zebra Mussel Prevention Program with information and a self-certification packet for boaters.

At Oak Bottom, Whiskeytown's Concession Operator Forever Resorts offers year-round moorage/slip rentals. During the summer season, boat rentals, a snack bar (Wed - Sun), hot showers, and a marina store are open at Oak Bottom.

Lifeguards are on duty daily at Brandy Creek Beach during the summer season and a snack bar is open (Wed - Sun).

 
Coggins Park back country campground.

Exploring Whiskeytown

Camping is available near the water at Oak Bottom Campground as well as in select back country campsites. Hiking and mountain biking are popular on the many trails at Whiskeytown. Many of the trails tour historic sections of the park and Gold Rush Era buildings, mines and miner’s ditches may be seen. Ranger guided programs are offered during the summer months, including gold panning and kayak tours.
 
President John F. Kennedy at Whisketyown, 1963.

White House to Whiskeytown

Whiskeytown Lake was formed as part of the Central Valley Water Project, providing water for agriculture and was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Although local creeks such as Brandy Creek flow into the lake, most of the water in Whiskeytown Lake comes from the Trinity River. This water is diverted over the mountains by tunnels and penstocks to the Judge Carr Powerhouse.
 

 

 

Write to

P.O. Box 188
14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Whiskeytown, CA 96095-0188

Phone

Visitor Center
(530) 246-1225

Park Headquarters
(530) 242-3400

Fax

(530) 246-5154

Climate

Summers are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures often over 100 degrees. Visitors should wear light weight clothing, including a hat when in the sun. Fall days can be warm but with cooler evenings. Winters are wet, the park receives over 55 inches of rain with snow at the higher elevations. Winter daytime temperatures can be pleasant when it's not raining. Visitors should wear layers and be prepared for dropping temperatures towards evening. Rains can persist until late May.
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Communities Surrounding Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Sugarloaf, CA (28 min. )
Lakeside, CA (31 min. ) Pop. 19,560
Lakehead, CA (31 min. )
Lakeshore, CA (31 min. )
Pine Grove, CA (45 min. )
Shasta Lake, CA (46 min. ) Pop. 9,008
Castella, CA (48 min. )
Redding, CA (51 min. ) Pop. 80,865
Bella Vista, CA (56 min. )
Shasta, CA (58 min. )
Palo Cedro, CA (59 min. ) Pop. 1,247
Millville, CA (1 hr.  4 min. ) Pop. 610
Whiskeytown, CA (1 hr.  4 min. )
Igo, CA (1 hr.  9 min. )
Cloverdale, CA (1 hr.  11 min. ) Pop. 6,831
French Gulch, CA (1 hr.  14 min. ) Pop. 254
Oak Run, CA (1 hr.  24 min. )
Trinity Center, CA (1 hr.  28 min. )
Lewiston, CA (1 hr.  30 min. ) Pop. 1,305