Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Trailie
Build your Whiskeytown itinerary
Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Whiskeytown National Recreation Area plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Hike to Whiskeytown Falls
- Nearby city
- Gateway towns in CA
Explore this park
Alerts(3)
Public Health Advisory for Upper Clear Creek above Whiskeytown Lake
NPS details***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.
Wood & Charcoal Burn Ban
NPS detailsTo 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.
Don't Move a Mussel!
NPS detailsHey 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.
Common questions
Planning Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 3 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Ranger-Guided Kayak and Paddle Board Tours and 1. Rise and Shine Kayak Tour (9am-11:30am). Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
