Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- $25 · private vehicle
- Phone
- 5302423400
- Address
- 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Whiskeytown, CA 96095
About Whiskeytown
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!
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.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Entrance fees
| Per Person | $15 | Admits 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $20 | Valid 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. |
| Private Vehicle | $25 | Admits 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. |
An America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee at every site that charges one.
Getting there
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.
Weather
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.
Things to do
Astronomy, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking, Birdwatching, Boating, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Canoeing, Car or Front Country Camping, First Person Interpretation, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Freshwater Fishing, Freshwater Swimming, Front-Country Hiking, Group Camping, Guided Tours, Hiking, Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use), Horse Camping (see also camping), Horse Trekking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Junior Ranger Program, Kayaking, Living History, Motorized Boating, Mountain Biking, Museum Exhibits, Paddling, Picnicking, RV Camping, Road Biking, SCUBA Diving, Sailing, Shopping, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Stargazing, Swimming, Water Skiing, Wildlife Watching.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Whiskeytown ↗