A man in a wheelchair enjoying the view of Crystal Creek Falls. Photo courtesy of Ross Perry.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has used hundreds of thousands of dollars in entrance pass revenue over the years to make numerous recreational features in the park accessible to visitors with physical or mobility impairments. Here is a list of some of these features...
VISITOR CENTER
The Whiskeytown Visitor Center is accessible to wheelchairs. A paved outdoor plaza just outside the Visitor Center includes several wayside exhibits spotlighting the park's natural and historical heritage. This is also the location of an iconic view of Whiskeytown Lake and Shasta Bally.
TRAILS
Guardian Rock Trail - the half-mile section of trail from Horse Camp to Clear Creek Gorge Overlook is paved, about six feet wide, and mostly flat. There is a wheelchair-accessible vault toilet at the trailhead at Horse Camp. At the Clear Creek Gorge Overlook, relax and enjoy the sound and view of the stream approximately 250 feet below. Trail access is off of Paige Bar Road, below Whiskeytown Environmental School and Whiskeytown Dam.
Crystal Creek Falls Trail - this paved, flat, ten feet wide trail is just under 1/2 mile in length and leads to a view of Crystal Creek Falls. Access this popular trail from Crystal Creek Road, located on the western side of the park.
Tower House Historic District - "Camden House Trail" - this section of paved trail leads from the Tower House Historic District parking lot to just outside the front yard of the Camden House. Four wayside exhibits along the way interpret the rich history of this area of the park. The paved distance is just under 1/4 mile. This area is located in the western section of the park.
FISHING PIERS
Whiskeytown includes accessible fishing piers at Oak Bottom as well as the Whiskey Creek Day Use Area. The Oak Bottom fishing pier is located across the parking lot from the marina. The Whiskey Creek Day Use Area fishing pier is located off of Whiskey Creek Road.
CAMPING
Oak Bottom Tent Campground has an accessible campsite located across from an accessible restroom. Reservations can be made through Whiskeytown Marinas, the park's authorized concessioner.
Oak Bottom RV Campground includes fully paved "parking lot" style campsites and an accessible restroom. Reservations can be made through Whiskeytown Marinas, the park's authorized concessioner.
KAYAKING
At Oak Bottom Marina, peddle-only kayaks are available for rent via Whiskeytown Marinas, the park's authorized concessioner.
A paved ramp at Oak Bottom across the parking lot from the marina allows wheelchairs to roll down close to the water. A second person would need to physically transport the kayak from your vehicle down to the bottom of the paved ramp.
PICNICKING
Picnicking spots including paved pathways to picnic tables are located at Brandy Creek Beach, Brandy Creek Marina, Carr Powerhouse, Oak Bottom Beach, Whiskey Creek Day Use Area, and outside the Visitor Center. All picnic areas are available on a first come, first serve basis.
BRANDY CREEK BEACH
Stay tuned. The park is working out the logistics of enabling visitors to utilize a beach wheelchair at Brandy Creek Beach. Note that a second person is needed to actually push the wheelchair across the sand. The beach wheelchair will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
