This place has more than just a great name! Eight miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley, making it home to a special collection of plant and animal life, and year-round beauty. The park features Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally mountain (6,209 ft.), and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Lake-based recreation is popular during the drier summer months; Whiskeytown Lake is always full and provides 36 miles of shoreline and 3,200 surface acres for recreation. Its placid surface is excellent for swimming, scuba diving, and fishing. Ranger-led kayak tours are popular and paddleboard yoga can be found on the water most weekends. Whiskeytown’s beaches beckon families and groups, and open-water swimmers often take to the water for training. Generations of sailors have enjoyed the quiet lake for sailing, and the Whiskeytown Memorial Regatta has celebrated 50 years of racing.

The California Gold Rush made its stamp on this part of Northern California, and the park offers historical tours of the Camden House and orchards, where Charles Camden established a successful mining and sawmill operation. Visitors can still pan for gold in the clear waters, but it’s best not to expect much in the way of fortune. Situated on the south shore of the lake is a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, commemorating his dedication of the dam in 1963, shortly before his assassination. Whisketyown’s proximity to Redding makes it a local favorite and visitors are invited to discover the 42,000 acres of beauty for themselves.