Camping At Whiskeytown

Lakeside camping at Oak Bottom offers scenic views and easy opportunities for fishing and paddling on Whiskeytown Lake. NPS Photo.

Oak Bottom Campground (Tent & RV)

Located on Whiskeytown Lake, Oak Bottom Tent Campground includes a fire grate, picnic table, and storage locker at each site. While some of the campground has shade, about half of the campsites are in full sun (the Carr Fire burned substantial vegetation in the area). Oak Bottom Beach, a small store, boat rentals, and the Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trailhead are nearby. Lakeside tent sites are $35 per night from April 15 to October 15 and $20 per night the rest of the year. Other tent sites are $30 per night from April 15 to October 15 and $20 the rest of the year. Pets are allowed for a fee of $2 per night. There is a maximum of six people per site. Discounts are provided for those with a Senior Pass or Access Pass.

Separated from the tent campground, Oak Bottom RV Campground is situated in a linear parking lot nearby. There is no shade. Oak Bottom Beach, a small store, boat rentals, and the Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trailhead are nearby. The RV campground includes a central restroom, dump station, and water, but no hook-ups. Sites are $35 per night from April 15 to October 15 and $20 the rest of the year. Pets are allowed for a fee of $2 per night. There is a maximum of six people per site. Discounts are provided for those with a Senior or Access Pass.

To make a reservation for tent or RV camping, visit Oak Bottom online or call [phone]. The campground is operated by the park concessioner, Whiskeytown Marinas LLC. Additional Oak Bottom Tent & RV Campground General Information.

 

Campsite at Crystal Creek Primitive Campground. NPS Photo.

Primitive Campgrounds (Sheep Camp, Horse Camp, Peltier Bridge, Brandy Creek)

Primitive campsites have fire rings, tables, food storage lockers, and vault toilets. The sites are located away from the lake and are accessible by dirt road. For Horse Camp Primitive Campground, there is a maximum of 10 people per site, three vehicles (including two RVs), and three tents maximum per site. For Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, there is a maximum of 6 people, two vehicles, and two tents per site. Brandy Creek Primitive Campground, Crystal Creek Primimtive Campground, and Sheep Camp Primitive Campground remain closed due to the Carr Fire.

The fee for primitive camping is $20 per night year-round. If you have an Interagency Senior or Access Pass, you will receive a 50% discount on these rates, making the fee $10.00 per night. Pay for your site online at Recreation.gov or call toll free 1-877-444-6777. This is the only way to pay for or reserve a site at the campground. We no longer accept payment at the Whiskeytown visitor center. You can pay for and make reservations for the campground up to six months in advance. In addition to the campground fee, an entrance pass must be purchased for the use of the recreation area. Entrance passes can be purchased at the visitor center or online at YourPassNow or Recreation.gov. For more information on primitive campgrounds you can download this document: Campgrounds General Information and Regulations.

 

Brandy Creek RV Campground

Brandy Creek RV Campground offers camping only for self-contained recreational vehicles. All RVs must have fully self-contained toilet and wastewater devices, defined as apparatus permanently constructed within a motor vehicle for the purpose of collecting and storing human waste and wastewater for later disposal in a dump station or other device. There are no restrooms in the campground. A dump station and water is provided but there are no hook-ups.

The fee is $20 per night year-round. If you have an Interagency Senior or Access Pass, you will receive a 50% discount on these rates, making the fee $10.00 per night. All reservations or payments must be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777. No reservations or payments can be made at the campground or Visitors Center. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Brandy Creek RV Camping Information and Regulations.

 

Dry Creek Group Campground (Tent)

Dry Creek Group Campground is located just beyond the Brandy Creek Beach day use area. There are two designated group sites in this tent campground. Each site contains two large serving tables, numerous picnic tables, a large charcoal barbecue grill, a cleared fire pit area, vault toilets, bear-proof storage lockers and drinking water. Each site can hold a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 people and are available by reservation. Larger groups may reserve both sites for a total of 100 campers.

The fee is $80 per night. The 2021 season for Dry Creek runs from June 1st to October 31st. Reservations can be made online up to six months in advance on Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.

 

Backcountry Camping (Backpacking)

Because much of the park's backcountry remains closed due to the threat of post-Carr Fire debris flows, overnight backpacking is not permitted at this time.

 

Campgrounds (Follow links for reservations)	Status	Number of Sites	Price per Night	Maximum Occupancy	Reservable	Potable Water	Shower	Toilet Type	Notes
Oak Bottom Tent	Open	94	$20 - $35	6 People 2 Tents	Yes	Yes	Yes	Flush	The sites closest to the water have ample shade. Campground close to Oak Bottom Beach, Oak Bottom Marina (boat rentals available), and Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail.
Oak Bottom RV	Open	22	$20 - $30	10 People No tents	Yes	Yes	Yes	Flush	No hookups, full sunshine.
Brandy Creek RV	Open	15	$20	10 People No Tents	Yes	Yes	No	No Toilet	Water and dump station may be shut off periodically during winter to prevent freezing.
Brandy Creek	Open	2	$20	6 People 2 Tents	Yes	No	No	Vault	Full sunshine. Steep downhill road to reach the lower campsite (#2).
Sheep Camp	Open	4	$20	6 People 2 Tents	Yes	No	No	Vault	Shaded sites near Brandy Creek. Easy access to Brandy Creek Trail and Papoose Pass Trail. Caution: Sites are near a steep drop-off to the creek.
Peltier Bridge	Open	9	$20	6 People 2 Tents	Yes	No	No	Vault	Shaded sites near Clear Creek.
Horse Camp	Open	2	$20	10 People 3 Tents	Yes	Yes	No	Vault	Shaded sites and access to Guardian Rock Trail. Only campground where camping with horses is allowed.
Crystal Creek	Closed	2	$20	6 People 2 Tents	Yes	No	No	Vault	Both sites are very close to Crystal Creek.
Dry Creek	Open	2	$80	50 People (20 minimum)	Yes Required	Yes	No	Vault	Group camping near shores of Whiskeytown Lake. Ample shade.