Primitive Campgrounds
Whiskeytown NRA

Whiskeytown Lake, California
Whiskeytown Lake, California

Primitive Campgrounds
Whiskeytown NRA


Primitive Campgrounds

Six primitive campgrounds with a total of 20 campsites are located at least one mile from Whiskeytown Lake in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Primitive campgrounds have no potable water or flush toilets. They do have vault toilets and other campground amenities. Reservations are now available for nearly all campsites.

Visitors to the campgrounds enjoy hiking and horseback riding to nearby waterfalls and through old-growth forests. A short drive leads campers to beaches at Oak Bottom, Brandy Creek and East Beach. Whiskeytown Lake is popular for fishing, boating, waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing.

  • Peltier Bridge: Tents only - Off Paige Bar Road near the dam, beside a creek. Drinking water is available at the visitor center. Maximum 6 people, 2 vehicles, per site
  • Horse Camp: RVs, trailers or tents, lots of parking space. May have potable water. Fee based on group size. 10 peope per site. No corrals available. Off Paige Bar Road. Horse Camp may accommodate any vehicle or combination of 3 vehicles (max 2 RVs).
  • Brandy Creek: RVs, trailers or tents - short drive to Brandy Creek Beach
  • Sheep Camp: Tents only - 3-mile drive to Brandy Creek Beach
  • Crystal Creek: Tents only, by Crystal Creek Falls
  • Coggins Park: RVs, trailers or tents - most remote campground, about 20 miles from the lake

Shop Amazon: Camping Essentials



Primitive Campground Basics
Primitive Campground Locations: Just beyond Brandy Creek Maria off Kennedy Memorial Dr., off Hwy. 299 at Whiskeytown Lake, 15 miles west of I-5 in Redding
Elevation: 1,000 - 3,900 feet
Nearby Cities: 14 - 20 miles from Redding
Number of Sites: 20
Camping Season: Brandy Creek, Crystal Creek, and Sheep Camp are closed from November 1 through March 31. The other campsites are open year-round, weather permitting.
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children) - 2 tents maximum
Horse camp 10 people, 3 tents maximum
Vehicles per Site: 2
Pets: On leash, always attended
Whiskeytown Visitor Center: (530) 246-1225

Reservations
Reservations Available Reservations are now available for nearly all the Primitive Campsites. Reservations can be made for camping dates up to 6 months in advance of arrival.
Camping Limit: 14 days from May 15 to September 15 and 30 days total for the calendar year.
Maximum RV/trailer length 25 feet total length of vehicles
Wheelchair accessible Sites: None designated
Camping Fees: $20 per night per site
does not include daily entrance fee
Reservations: Brandy Creek Primitive Campground Reservations
Crystal Creek Primitive Campground Reservations
Horse Camp Primitive Campground Reservations
Peltier Bridge Primitive Campground Reservations
Sheep Camp Primitive Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 1:00 PM, Noon

Primitive Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, bear-proof storage locker, a fire pit with a swing-arm BBQ grill, and a pole for hanging your lantern.
Campground: Vault toilets, no potable water
Showers: Outdoor showers at Brandy Creek Campground
Dump station: Nearby
Attractions near Primitive Campgrounds: Visit Brandy Creek Falls and Crystal Creek Falls. Horseback ride out the Salt Gulch Loop Trail. From Peltier Bridge hike up the Logging Camp trail. Swim at Brandy Creek Beach when lifeguards are on duty. Take advantage of the marina and launch ramp. Hike the Monarch Mountain Trail and the Brandy Creek Trail.

Shop Amazon:
Trout Fishing Best Sellers


Whiskeytown Horse Campground, Whiskeytown Lake, CA

Whiskeytown Horse Campground




Silver Falls State Park, Oregon.

Silver Falls State Park




Peltier Bridge Campground, Whiskeytown Lake, CA

Peltier Bridge Campground

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Attractions and Activities

The Primitive Campground are located at various remote spots away from Whiskeytown Lake.

  • Whiskeytown Lake is popular destination for fishing, swimming, boating, waterskiing, and scuba diving.
  • Wildlife viewing, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding are favorite activities along the surrounding trails.
  • Tour the historic Tower House Historic District, pan for gold, and view the 1852 Camden House.
  • Hike to waterfalls and mountain tops with great vistas. Take the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge and hike to all 4 waterfalls.
  • Head to the Visitor Center for interpretive exhibits and a park overview.
  • Join ranger-led interpretive programs offered during the summer.
  • Children can participate in a variety of exciting Junior Ranger Programs, such as the Kayak Program and Junior Firefighter.
  • Join a ranger-led kayak tour.

Key Primitive Campground Regulations

  1. Entrance Passes to the Recreation Area are required in addition to camping fees. ($25 for 7 days)
  2. Avoid problems with bears by securing all food and similar items in bear-proof lockers.
  3. Generators are not permitted in tent-only campgrounds such as Peltier Bridge, Sheep Camp, and Crystal Creek.
  4. Generators may only be operated from 6 AM to 10 PM in campgrounds approved for RVs.
  5. Jet Skis are not allowed on the lake.
  6. Dogs must be on leash and are not permitted on beaches.

    Check Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Primitive Campgrounda for any campground and recreation area updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

Whiskeytown Lake


Trinity Lake Area Campgrounds


Lewiston Lake Campgrounds



TOP



General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate.