Brandy Creek Beach

Summertime scene at Brandy Creek Beach. June 2021.

With substantial shade for picnicking, a long, sandy shoreline, ample parking, and kayak and paddleboards available for rent daily in the summer, Brandy Creek Beach is the most popular of Whiskeytown's four official swim beaches. A small beach store is open daily in the summer that sells ice creams, drinks and beach gear, and nearby is the Brandy Creek RV Campground (no hook-ups) and Brandy Creek Marina.

Beach goers are kindly reminded to purchase an entrance pass and abide by beach rules and regulations to avoid a fine or worse by Whiskeytown law enforcement rangers. To protect wildlife and other beach goers, dogs are not allowed at Brandy Creek Beach. Alcohol is not allowed either. For water safety, a free lifejacket loaner program for youth is available between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you have any questions about the beach or about the national recreation area, ask a park ranger, go to the Visitor Center, or email [e-mail]

 

Hundreds of branches and tree logs floating at Brandy Creek Beach during one of the first rain storms after the Carr Fire.

Geology in Action

Long-time visitors might notice that the water at Brandy Creek Beach is much shallower than it was before the Carr Fire of 2018. The winter and spring after the fire, the area received about 90 inches of rain, and with burned trees and vegetation not able to hold soil in place, erosion took place and massive amounts of sediment came down the Brandy Creek drainage. This sediment settled at Brandy Creek Beach. While some visitors have asked about dredging the beach to make it deeper again, others have said they like it being more shallow. What do you think?