Breathe the Fresh Air of Whiskeytown

Date: January 5, 2016
Contact: Jim Milestone, [phone]

Take a deep breath. From the crisp mountain air atop Shasta Bally to the refreshing earthy smell along the many creeks running into the lake, Whiskeytown is known and appreciated for its stellar air quality. Spring adds the fragrance of wildflowers; summer delivers the warm spice of ponderosa pine and incense cedar; fall offers the subtle hints of the oak woodlands; winter delivers the cleansing smell of rains. These are the things that Whiskeytown National Recreation Area seeks to preserve for the health and enjoyment of our visitors.

In 2010, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area adopted a smoke-free policy for its four designated swimming beaches. This was well-received by the public and has been successfully implemented. After much consideration and public discussion, Whiskeytown is now proud to become the first smoke-free unit of the National Park Service. Beginning January 1, 2016, smoking of all tobacco products and electronic-cigarettes (also known as "e-cigarettes") is allowed only in designated areas.

The new policy bans smoking on all beaches and trails. Smoking is allowed in your personal vehicle and within 5 feet of your personal vehicle while on paved and gravel parking lots. Smoking is also allowed on boats, at your permitted campsite, and in designated smoking areas. Designated areas are signed locations at Brandy Creek Beach, Oak Bottom Beach, the Oak Bottom Marina Office area, the Visitor Center, and the Maintenance Yard Loading Dock at Park Headquarters.

Whiskeytown's number one litter challenge remains cigarette butts. Last summer, a fire destroyed the historic 1852 blacksmith shop at State Hightway 299 and Trinity Mountain Road. While the exact cause of this fire was not determined, a careless cigarette butt was the likely cause, as was the documented case in the devastating 2004 French Gulch Fire.

Whiskeytown has a strong record of promoting the health and safety of its visitors. The park shifted its recreation program in 2002 to encourage more "human-powered" recreation, such as swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, trail hiking and trail running, and sailing. In 2005, Whiskeytown became a partner in the Healthy Shasta initiative, which promotes healthy eating and increased physical activity to address childhood obesity. In doing so, the park has developed its free ranger-guided kayak programs during the summer and the park's celebration of Earth Day with "Waterfall Week" in mid-April. While motor boating, water skiing, wake boarding and trolling for fish remain integral parts of Whiskeytown's recreation program, the park also prides itself in encouraging healthy living and healthy life styles both within and beyond the park boundaries.

For more information, please contact Superintendent Jim Milestone at [phone].