Hiking

Just remember: you are the trail you take...

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has dozens of miles of trails for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A rugged canyon, waterfalls, historic mining features, post-fire ecology, and of course Whiskeytown Lake can all be enjoyed on specific trails. Click on the specific trail links below for information on specific trails.

Please be advised that triple digit heat is common between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you plan on getting out on trails during this time, hike in the early morning. No matter what time of year you hike, always bring and drink lots of water and let someone know where you are going.

Also note that due to ongoing post-Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards, most backcountry trails in the park remain closed. Backpacking (backcountry camping) also remains temporarily closed.

Finally, please be advised that the post-Carr Fire environment has increased the risks associated with outdoor recreation. While exploring the park, be aware of downed or falling trees, abandoned mine features (do not enter them), and eroded areas.

 

Easy Hikes

Trail Name	Distance (miles one way)	Status	Trail Highlights
Camden Water Ditch	1.2	Open	Mostly level trail looping through the "frontcountry" and backfield of Tower House Historic District. Side-trip to Levi Tower Grave. Learn more about Levi Tower and Charles Camden. First 0.2 miles is on on paved trail and is a self-guiding interpretive trail; exhibits on the trail explain the history of the area.
Crystal Creek Falls	0.3	Open	Short, flat, paved trail to Crystal Creek Falls cascade. In summer, the natural, shaded pool at the base of the cascade is a popular spot for wading and swimming.
Crystal Creek Water Ditch	1.0	Open	No bicycles or horses allowed. Mostly level trail paralleling historic water ditch constructed by Charles Camden. Look for historic features along the trail. Trail open to hiking only; no bicycles or horses.
Guardian Rock Vista	0.25	Open	Trailhead located at Horse Camp on Paige Bar Road. Paved, mostly level trail to Guardian Rock Vista; view of rugged Clear Creek Canyon from the vista.
Oak Bottom Water Ditch	2.75	Open	Mostly level trail paralleling the northwestern shore of Whiskeytown Lake. Some good birding and fishing opportunities on quiet coves. Trail mostly travels on top of a historic water ditch dating from the California Gold Rush era.

Moderate Hikes

Trail Name	Distance (one way)	Status	Notes
Boulder Creek (via South Shore Drive)		Closed
Boulder Creek (via Mill Creek Road)		Closed
Brandy Creek Falls		Closed
Brandy Creek		Closed
Buck Hollow	1.0	Open	Ranger's Pick: this is ranger Condor Sequoia's favorite trail! Trail begins and ends on Mule Town Road. Combine the trail with the roadway for a tw-mile loop. Travels through open woodland, mixed forest (oak-pine) landscape that has been periodically prescribe burned for several years.
Clear Creek Canal	4.5	Open	Partially shaded, mostly flat trail paralleling historic water ditch dating from the California Gold Rush era; look for old mining features including the foundation of a large stamp mill. Access from Mount Shasta Mine Loop Trailhead. Popular trail for mountain biking and horseback riding; trail connects with Swasey Recreation Area trails.
Clear Creek Vista		Closed
Davis Gulch	3.3	Open	No horses or bicycles allowed. Abundant wildflowers in late winter and spring and lots of shade. Trail can be accessed from Kennedy Memorial Drive just past Whiskeytown Dam or from Brandy Creek Beach parking lot. Trail parallels the southeast shore of Whiskeytown Lake.
Guardian Rock	1.0	Open	No horses allowed. Ranger's Pick! This is ranger Bartholomew Mombasa's favorite hike in the park. He loves the solitude, the ruggedness of the land, and the sound of "mountain water" along the trail. First 0.25 miles is easy and paved to the overlook. After the overlook, the trail becomes narrow and rocky and drops down to Guardian Rock gravel bar on Clear Creek (the term "Guardian Rock" refers to a small rock that looks like a face coming out of the gravel bar). Trailhead at Horse Camp. Make it a 1.5 mile loop by walking back on Paige Bar Road. At northern end of the trail, gravel has been "injected" into the creek to restore salmon habitat.
Logging Camp		Closed
Mount Shasta Mine Loop	3.1	Open	Loop trail that travels through historic mining area active from the 1850s to 1930s. Look for evidence of past mining activity including horizontal and vertical mine shafts, building foundations, and tailing piles. Trail popular with mountain bikers and horseback riders. Trailhead located on Paige Bar Road about one-mile below Whiskeytown Dam.
Peltier		Closed
Princess Ditch	1.9	Open	Trail follows former water ditch and connects to Swasey Recreation Area trails. Accessed via Mule Town Road (high clearance required). Trail is popular with mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Rich Gulch Trail		Closed
Shasta Divide Nature Loop	0.4	Open	No bycycles or horses allowed. This short trail drops down below the Visitor Center onto Whiskeytown Lake. This was the only natural area of the park that did not burn during the Carr Fire.

Difficult Hikes

Trail Name	Distance (one way)	Status	Notes
James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls	1.7	Open	Ranger's Pick! This is ranger Aspen Cloud's favorite trail. She likes the challenge of the steep sections and the waterfall reward at the end. At 220 feet, Whiskeytown Falls is the longest cascade in the park. At base of waterfall, be sure and walk up the rock staircase to the upper viewing platform. The trail is steep in spots and mostly follows old logging roads. There is lots of shade along the trail. The Carr Fire only lightly affected the area. The last 1/4 mile of trail is in a box canyon with a microclimate colder than the surrounding. No bicycles or horses allowed.
Kanaka Cut Off		Closed
Kanaka Peak		Closed
Mill Creek (from James K. Carr Trail)		Closed
Mill Creek (from Tower House Historic District)		Closed
Papoose Pass		Closed
South Fork Mountain Lookout Road	7.0	Open	This gravel road is not open to vehicles (telecommunication contractors and in-season hunters are okay). The gravel roadway starts at the Shasta Divide by the Visitor Center and slowly but steadily climbs 2,000 feet to the top of South Fork Mountain Lookout. Expansive views of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Trinity Alps, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak from top.
upper Crystal Creek Road (James K. Carr Trailhead to Coggins Park)	7.0	Open	This narrow, winding, dirt roadway is not open to vehicular traffic due to erosion caused by storms after the Carr Fire. Roadway climbs gradually but steadily 2,000 feet up through mixed forest landscape.