Located in CA.
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!
Use this page to check live NPS alerts, weather, things to do, events, fees, campgrounds, and build a day-by-day itinerary with Trailie.
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Whiskeytown National Recreation Area plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Explore this park
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!
Whiskeytown NRA is in a Mediterranean climate, which means hot, dry summers followed by cool, wet winters.
temperatures often reach the upper 90's to lower 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as the occasional thunderstorm.
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.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15-passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for 7 days at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area only. For more information visit https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74295.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. For more information visit https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74295.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days. For more information visit https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74295.
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.
Annual Entrance - Park
$55.00Valid 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.
Common questions
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.
