Waterfalls, Water Ditches, & Wildland Fire
While a primary focus for visitors to Whiskeytown NRA is lake-based recreation, the park also contains a rugged canyon, waterfalls, historic mining and reclamation features, and post-fire landscapes. You can hike to or through all these features and more! Hiking is a great way to observe abundant wildflowers in spring and to experience the cool shade of the forest during scorching summer days. Also, with the Carr Fire of 2018 burning 97 percent of the park, you can see post-fire ecology in action. For current trail conditions, check the chart below.
In addition to hiking, most park trails are open to backpacking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Check the chart below for more information.
Extreme heat is common from May to October. Consider hiking in the early morning to avoid the heat of the day. Always bring and drink lots of water during physical exercise.
For more information about specific trails, click on blue links in the chart below or go to the Visitor Center.
DUE TO THE CARR FIRE, FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF PARK STAFF, MANY TRAILS ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF WHISKEYTOWN NRA REMAIN CLOSED.
When visiting the park, please abide by the most current health and safety guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Park Service's U.S. Public Health Service officers:
- Avoid close physical contact with other visitors (social distancing).
- Wash hands with soap often and for at least twenty seconds.
- Do not park at crowded trailheads or day use areas.
- Park only in designated spaces.
- Go to the bathroom before you come to the park.
- If you must use the bathroom while in the park, practice Leave No Trace as described above.
- Pack out all of your trash.
- Please abide by all rules and regulations of the park.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Please check back often for the most current information with this rapidly changing situation.
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Easy Hikes
|
Trail Name
|
Distance
(one way)
|
Status
|
Trail Highlights & Notes
|
|
Buck Hollow
|
1 mile
|
Open
|
Wildflowers, seasonal streams, some shade, views of Shasta Bally and Kanaka Peak.
Because a prescribed burn was conducted in this area before the Carr Fire, some pre-Carr Fire vegetation remains.
Trail accessible via Mule Town road (high clearance required).
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Camden Water Ditch
|
1.1 mile loop
|
Closed
|
|
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Crystal Creek Falls
|
0.3 mile
|
Open
|
Short, flat, paved trail to Crystal Creek Falls cascade.
ADA accessible.
Lots of shade.
|
|
Crystal Creek Water Ditch
|
1 mile
|
Open
|
Flat trail paralleling historic water ditch.
Hiking only - no bicycles or pack animals.
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|
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Guardian Rock
|
0.25 miles
|
Open
|
Flat and ADA accessible to Guardian Rock Vista Point.
View of rugged Clear Creek Canyon from vista point.
Trailhead located at Horse Camp on Paige Bar Road.
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Oak Bottom Water Ditch
|
2.75 miles
|
Open
|
Views of Whiskeytown Lake and Shasta Bally.
Swimming and fishing opportunities.
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|
Shasta Divide Nature Trail
|
0.4 mile loop
|
Open
|
Lots of shade - only trail in park that Carr Fire did not burn around.
Trailhead located at end of Visitor Center parking lot.
Hiking only - no bicycles or pack animals.
|
Moderate Hikes
|
Trail Name
|
Distance
(one way)
|
Status
|
Notes
|
|
Boulder Creek
(via South Shore Drive)
|
2.75 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Boulder Creek
(via Mill Creek Road)
|
1 mile
|
Closed
|
|
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Brandy Creek Falls
|
1.5 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Brandy Creek
|
2 miles
|
Closed
|
|
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Clear Creek Canal
|
4.5 miles
|
Open
|
Flat trail.
Follows remnants of historic water ditch.
Views of Whiskeytown Dam, Shasta Bally, and Kanaka Peak.
Crosses Orofino Creek.
|
|
Clear Creek Vista
|
1.8 miles
|
Closed
|
|
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Davis Gulch
|
3.3 miles
|
Open
|
Lots of shade.
Views of Whiskeytown Lake and quiet coves.
Swimming and fishing opportunities.
|
|
Guardian Rock
|
1 mile
|
Open
|
First 0.25 miles is flat and ADA accessible.
Views of rugged Clear Creek Canyon.
Fishing opportunities.
|
|
Logging Camp
|
1.25 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Mount Shasta Mine Loop
|
3 miles
|
Open
|
Travels through historic mining area. Some remnants remain.
Views of Shasta Bally and Kanaka Peak, Orofino Creek.
|
|
Mule Mountain Pass
|
4.25 miles
|
Open
|
|
|
Peltier
|
1.75 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Princess Ditch
|
1.9 miles
|
Open
|
Connects to Swasey Recreation Area trails, administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
Accessed via Mule Town Road (high clearance required).
|
|
Rich Gulch Trail
|
1.8 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Salt Gulch Trail
|
1.6 miles
|
Closed
|
|
Moderate to Difficult Hikes
|
Trail Name
|
Distance
(one way)
|
Status
|
Notes
|
|
James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls
|
1.7 miles
|
Open
|
At 220 feet, Whiskeytown Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park.
At base of waterfall, be sure and walk up rock staircase to upper viewing platform.
Lots of shade - the Carr Fire only lightly affected this area of the park.
|
|
Kanaka Cut Off
|
1 mile
|
Closed
|
|
|
Kanaka Peak
|
3.5 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Mill Creek
(from James K. Carr Trail)
|
6.5 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Mill Creek
(from Tower House
Historic District)
|
2.5 miles
|
Closed
|
|
|
Papoose Pass
|
7.25 miles
|
Closed
|
|
