When exploring Whiskeytown, please keep your distance. Follow the CDC's social distancing guidelinesand stay at least six feet away from other people. Please wear a mask when you are near others or inside a park building.
To protect the health of those who live, work, and visit Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and in support of the President’s Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing, face masks are now required in all National Park Service (NPS) buildings and facilities. Masks are also required on NPS-managed lands when physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails, overlooks, and parking lots.
The National Park Service continues to work with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, access to the park is as follows:
Closed:
Some trails, primitive campgrounds, and primitive roadways remain closed due to the Carr Fire. This fire burned 97% of the park and over 100 structures within Whiskeytown in 2018. It was the most destructive fire in the history of the National Park System. A map of the currently closed areas can be seen at the bottom of this page.
Open:
The restrooms outside the Visitor Center are open daily from 9am to 9pm. Re
The Visitor Center is currently open from Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 2 pm. Whenever you visit the park, please be advised that weekly or annual entrance passes are required. Passes are available at the Visitor Center, at the Oak Bottom Campground Store (open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm daily), or online atRecreation.gov.
Most Roads and Boat Launches are open (see below).
Most Campgroundsare open. Peltier Bridge, Horse Camp and Brandy Creek RV Campgrounds are open at 50% capacity. All campground reservations and payment of fees must be done online at Recreation.gov. The Visitor Center no longer handles payment of camping fees.
Current Status of Park Roads & Boat Launches (Carr Fire)
Please be advised that facilities, roads, and trails in the park are occasionally subject to closure on short notice due to special events, maintenance, weather conditions, or fires. A map of the national recreation area showing current Carr Fire closures can be found below the table.
Road
Status
Details
Highway 299
Open
The highway is suitable for any type of passenger vehicle, motorcycle, and trailers. Please be alert while driving on the highway and be prepared for turning and slow-moving vehicles.
South Fork Mountain Road
Closed
Open for hunting access, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The gate is open during hunting season, from the third Saturday in August to the fourth Sunday in December. It is closed and locked the rest of the year.
John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive
Open
(Subject to winter weather closures)
The road is suitable for any type of passenger vehicle, motorcycle, and trailers. Kennedy Memorial Drive may be closed at the dam during winter storms.
Whiskey Creek Road
Partially Open
The road is open to the boat launch and picnic area. The road is closed at the bridge over Whiskey Creek for public safety due to post-Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards.
Paige Bar Road
Open
The road is suitable for any type of passenger vehicle, motorcycle, and trailers.
Crystal Creek Road
Open to the James K. Carr Trailhead
(Subject to winter weather closures)
This narrow, winding road is open to vehicles as far as the trailhead parking area for Whiskeytown Falls. Crystal Creek Road may be closed during winter storms.
The unpaved section of roadway between the James K. Carr Trailhead and Coggins Park is open for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Please beware of post-fire hazards.
South Shore Drive
Open
(Subject to winter weather closures)
This scenic, six-mile stretch of unpaved road is steep and narrow in places. Drive with caution and drive slow. South Shore Drive may be closed during winter storms.
Brandy Creek Road
Closed
Closed until further notice for public safety due to post-Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards.
Mill Creek Road
Closed
Closed at Carr Powerhouse until further notice for public safety due to post-Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards.
Shasta Bally Road
Closed
Closed until further notice for public safety due to post Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards.
Peltier Valley Road
Partially Open
Open as far as Peltier Bridge Campground only until further notice for public safety due to post-Carr Fire environmental and safety hazards.
Mule Town Road
Open
Only four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for this narrow, winding, unpaved dirt road.
Brandy Creek Boat Launch
Open
Access to this area is subject to weather-related closures. Kennedy Memorial Drive may be closed at the dam during winter storms.
Whiskey Creek Boat Launch
Open
Open year-round.
Oak Bottom Boat Launch
Open
Open (subject to seasonal closure in the winter due to low water level).
