Lake based recreational opportunities are Whiskeytown?s primary focus during the hot and dry summer months. Whiskeytown Lake provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres of water, and is excellent for most water-related activities including swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing and scuba diving. Personal Watercraft are prohibited on Whiskeytown lake, but are still allowed on Shasta and Trinity Lakes. Whiskeytown Lake has become a popular area for kayaking, long distance swimming and rowing. Ranger guided programs are offered during the summer months and include free kayak tours! Year round activities include picnicking, hiking, mountain bike riding, horseback riding, trail running, photography, bird watching and wildlife viewing on and near the lake, as well as in the mountainous back country. California 1849 Gold Rush history and remains are also found at Whiskeytown.

Whiskeytown Lake was created by diverting water through tunnels and penstocks, from the Trinity River Basin to the Sacramento River Basin.

The most prominent landmark within the Recreation Area is Shasta Bally (elevation 6,209 feet). The summit may be reached on foot and by 4-wheel drive vehicle, but is closed in the winter.

CAMPING :

Brandy Creek RV Campground : Open All Year : Phone 530-246-1225Details: Sites are offered on a first come first served basis (no advance reservations accepted), and are paved parking spots on an access road. Summer $14.00 per night / winter $7.00 per night. Permits are available at the campground registration box. An RV dump station is available here.

Dry Creek Group Tent Campground : Open April 1 through September 30Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMPDetails: Two group only campsites are available (tents only). Each can hold a maximum of 50 people and are available by reservation. There is a $13.65 fee to change or cancel a reservation.

Oak Bottom Campground : Open All Year : Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMPDetails: Lakeside tent sites are $18.00/night with other tent site $16.00/night. RV sites (separate parking lot sites) are $14.00. Reservations are available for the summer season from May 15th through September 15th. There is a $13.65 fee to change or cancel a reservation. There is a RV dump station located here. No reservations are required during the winter season, sites are only available on a first-come-first-served basis at $10.00/night for both tent and RV sites.

Primitive Tent Campsites : Open All Year : Phone 530 246-1225Details: These sites are available only on a first-come-first-served basis. Permits available at the Visitor Center (no advanced reservations accepted). These sites are located away from the lake and are accessible by dirt road. Camsites are $10.00/night year round.

Whiskey Creek Group Picnic Area : Open From April 1 to September 30Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMPDetails: Three group day use picnic areas are available. Site 1 holds 50 people at $50.00/day, site 2 & 3 hold 40 people each at $40.00/day by reservation only. There is a $13.65 fee to change or cancel a reservation.

French Gulch Hotel : Open All Year : Reservations by Phone at 530-359-2112

Details: BED and BREAKFAST Is open 7 days a week from March thru December. The hotel offers eight rooms with queen beds, comforters with ruffled coordinates and other romantic touches to capture the nostaligic mood of yesterday. The price range is $40.00 to $80.00, double occupancy, and includes a full breakfast the next morning.