Hiking

We expect you to make this pose at the base of Whiskeytown Falls as well!

Explore the Trails of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area offers dozens of miles of trails perfect for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and horseback riding. From rugged canyons and waterfalls to historic mining features and post-fire ecology, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And of course, the stunning views of Whiskeytown Lake are a highlight of many trails.

Below are some of our favorite trails, each offering unique experiences:

• Guardian Rock Trail: A one-mile hike through the rugged Clear Creek Gorge, offering scenic views and close encounters with the canyon landscape.
• Crystal Creek Falls Trail: This 0.4-mile paved path winds through a coniferous forest, leading to a picturesque waterfall. Wheelchair accessible and popular for wading at the waterfall’s base.
• James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls Trail (via South Shore Drive): A challenging 2.8-mile hike that climbs 1,000 feet and fords a stream three times before reaching a stunning Whiskeytown waterfall.
• Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail: A flat, 2.75-mile lakeshore trail, perfect for birdwatching and enjoying views of the Clear Creek Arm of Whiskeytown Lake.
• Kanaka Peak Trail (via Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground): A strenuous 9-mile roundtrip hike up to Kanaka Peak, offering expansive views from the mountain’s summit.

Trail Safety Tips

Triple-digit heat is common between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you’re planning a hike during this time, head out early in the morning to avoid the heat. No matter the season, always bring plenty of water, let someone know your plans, and be mindful of your surroundings. Remember to lock your vehicle, keep the interior free of valuables, and maintain a clean, simple look inside your car.

Thank You to Our Trail Steward Volunteers

A special thanks to our Trail Steward Volunteers, who regularly provide updates on trail conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

 

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. Trail goes past 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	0.4	Open	Ranger's Choice Hike! Ranger Bartholomew Mombasa likes the conifers and shade along this trail and the picturesque Crystal Creek Falls cascade at the end of it. Bartholomew also likes the fact that the trail is perfect for wheelchairs. 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	Ranger's Choice Hike! Ranger Aspen Cloud loves this hike because it's the only trail in the park right along the lake, which means there's lots of good birding on it. She's seen green heron, bufflehead ducks, bald eagles, and more! 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 Mill Creek Road)	1.1	Open	This trail follows a 1950s logging road to Boulder Creek Falls. 150 feet elevation gain. Notice the abundant vegetation regrowth since the Carr Fire along the trail.
Brandy Creek Falls	1.4	Open to Lower Falls Overlook	Hike uphill paralleling Brandy Creek to the bottom of the Brandy Creek Falls cascades. Rich Gulch-Brandy Creek Falls Trail Loop is a popular route for mountain biking. Because the final approach to the main waterfall remains closed due to washouts and extreme safety hazards, we recommend hiking Whiskeytown Falls, Crystal Creek Falls, or Boulder Creek Falls.
Brandy Creek (Lower Brandy Creek Trail)	2.4	Open	Brandy Creek Trail runs from South Shore Drive to the Brandy Creek Falls Trailhead. The trail parallels Brandy Creek and Brandy Creek Road, and goes onto Brandy Creek Road a couple of times. Enjoy the sound of mountain water along this partially shaded trail that climbs 900 feet.
Buck Hollow	1.0	Open	Trail begins and ends on Mule Town Road. Combine the trail with the roadway for a two-mile loop, or with Guardian Rock Trail for a four-mile "circle eight" 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	2.4	Open	2.4 miles one way from the Tower House Historic District parking lot to the trail's end at Carr Powerhouse Road. Approximately 300 feet of elevation gain one way. Trail passes El Dorado Mine and includes panoramic views of the Tower House Historic District area.
Davis Gulch	3.3	Open	No horses or bicycles allowed. Abundant wildflowers in 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	Ranger's Choice Hike! Ranger Felipe Huron loves the solitude, the ruggedness of the land, and the sound of "mountain water" along this 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.
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. There are some steep sections of trail.
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		Open	Steep trail connecting with Brandy Creek Road and Brandy Creek Falls Trail.
Shasta Divide Nature Loop	0.4	Open	No bicycles 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
Boulder Creek (via South Shore Drive)	2.8	Open	Ranger's Choice Hike! Ranger Condor Sequoia loves this challenging hike. Particularly, they like the climbs, stream crossings, and abundance of regrowth that has occurred since the Carr Fire. This somewhat steep trail leads through Carr Fire regrowth to Boulder Creek Falls. The trail follows 1950s logging roads up the stream corridor. There are three stream crossings and 1,000 feet elevation gain.
James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls	1.7	Open	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 Peak	3.5 or 4.5	Open	From Kanaka Peak Trailhead on Peltier Valley Road, it is 3.5 miles one way (7 miles roundtrip) and a 1,100 feet elevation gain to the top of Kanaka Peak. One stream ford. From Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground, it is 4.5 miles one way (9 miles roundtrip) and 1,700 feet elevation gain. Ranger's Choice Hike! Ranger Nichomacia Nicholas loves hiking Kanaka Peak because of the good workout. They also love that the last mile and a half of the trail is single track and showcases many conifers that survived the Carr Fire in part because they were on the north face of the mountain.
Mill Creek (from James K. Carr Trail)		Trail remains temporarily closed due to burn scar hazards.
Mill Creek (from Tower House Historic District)		Trail remains temporarily closed due to burn scar hazards.
Papoose Pass	4.8 miles to Boulder Creek Falls or 3.5 mile loop	Open	This trail from Sheep Camp travels up over Papoose Pass and then down the East Fork of Boulder Creek to the waterfall. Views abound during this Whiskeytown backcountry experience up and down the foothills of Shasta Bally. An alternative to hiking to Boulder Creek Falls using Papoose Pass is to make a loop hike out of Papoose Pass Trail and Shasta Bally Road. From Sheep Camp, this steep hike is a 3.5 mile loop.
South Fork Mountain Lookout Road	7.0	Open	This gravel road is not open to vehicles except for telecommunication contractors and in-season hunters. 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 on clear days.
Upper Crystal Creek Road (James K. Carr Trailhead to Coggins Park)	7.0	Open	This narrow, winding, dirt roadway is open to vehicles in summer and open year-round for non-motorized recreation. If hiking when road is open to vehicles, please step aside when vehicles approach. Roadway climbs steadily 2,000 feet up through mixed conifer landscape. The park has done prescribed burns in this area of the park for decades; because of this, the Carr Fire did not burn thrugh this portion of Whiskeytown as severely.
Shasta Bally Road (From Sheep Camp to top of mountain)		Open	This narrow, winding, dirt roadway is not open to vehicular traffic except for park staff and telecommunication contractors. The roadway is very steep and very challenging as a hike - you climb 4,400 feet in 5.5 miles to reach the top! Towards the top, enjoy expansive views of the national recreation area, Trinity Alps, Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and Bally Choop.