whiskeytown | CA | Find park

A beautiful stop along Kennedy Memorial Drive

Crystal clear waters make for good paddling

Another Way to Capture the Beauty

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

A popular recreational activity

One of the four major waterfalls- Whiskeytown Falls

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

One of the four major waterfalls- Boulder Creek Falls

John F. Kennedy Memorial

Glory Hole at Whiskeytown Lake

Whiskeytown NRA Visitor Center

Whiskeytown NRA Visitor Center Interior

Western National Parks Store inside the Visitor Center

The Camden House Located in the Tower House Historic District

Levi Tower Gravesite Located in the Tower House Historic District

Peltier Bridge Campground

Physical Address:

14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive

Whiskeytown, CA 96095

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 188

Whiskeytown, CA 96095

contact-details

Phone Number: 5302423400 Voice
Phone Number: 5302445154 Fax

Email Address: whis_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person: $15.00

Park Entrance is $15 per person and is good for 7 days.

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25.00

Park Entrance is $25 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.

Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.00

Park entrance for motorcycles is $20 per motorcycles and is good for 7 days.

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $55.00

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.

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!

park designation:National Recreation Area

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Certain areas of the park are subject to seasonal and COVID-19 temporary closures or limited hours. Some areas of the park remain closed due to hazardous conditions from the Carr Fire. Please check the park website for current information.

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.