NPS - National Park Service

10/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/17/2024 10:00

Nature Hikes, Cemetery Tour, BARK in the Park Hike, and more...

News Release Date:
October 17, 2024

Contact:Scott Einberger, 530-242-3450

Whiskeytown, CA - Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is delighted to invite the public to the following ranger-led interpretive programs scheduled for this month and next...

  • Tower House Talks Saturday, October 19, 10am-2pm. Drop-in program. Tower House Historic District Autumn is a great time of year to stroll around Whiskeytown's historic district. Stop outside the Camden House between 10am and 2pm and meet Jerry, our living history interpreter. Get your Tower House and Camden family questions answered and pick up a self-guided walking tour brochure.
  • Guardian Rock Trail Nature Hike Sunday, October 20, 10am-11:30am. Meet at Horse Camp Primitive Campground On this 1.5-mile ranger-led loop hike, participants will learn about ecosystems and wildlife on Lower Clear Creek. Explore the world of beavers and Chinook salmon as you enjoy streamside views. Note that there are some short, steep, rocky sections of trail.
  • Crystal Creek Water Ditch Trail History Hike Saturday, October 26, 10am-11:30am. Meet at Crystal Creek Water Ditch Trailhead, located on Crystal Creek Road near Highway 299 Join an interpretive park ranger on a two-mile hike exploring park history along Crystal Creek Water Ditch Trail. The trail is mostly level.
  • Tower House Talks Saturday, October 26, 10am-2pm See description for October 19.
  • Whiskeytown Cemetery Walking Tour Saturday, November 2, 10am-10:45am. Meet at Whiskeytown Cemetery, located below Whiskeytown Dam on Paige Bar Road Explore this whimsical cemetery with an interpretive park ranger and learn about Native Americans, nineteenth century pioneers, a park superintendent, and "The Last Goldminer of Whiskeytown," all of whom are permanently interred at the site.
  • Tower House Talks Saturday, November 2, 10am-2pm See description for October 19.
  • BARK in the Park Hike Sunday, November 3, 10am-11:30am. Meet at Tower House Historic District Parking Lot Calling all friendly canines - bring your leash, your human parent, and a poop bag and join a park ranger on a 1.5-mile, mostly level hike around Tower House Historic District. Smell other dogs, pee on new things, and learn how your human owner can protect you and the park. At the end of the hike, take the pledge and you will become an official Whiskeytown National Recreation Area BARK Ranger.
  • Mt. Shasta Mine Loop Fall Foliage Hike Saturday, November 16, 10am-12:30pm. Meet at Mt. Shasta Mine Trailhead, located on Paige Bar Road below Whiskeytown Dam On this 3.5-mile hike, enjoy autumn colors amongst Whiskeytown's chaparral and oak ecosystems. Bring water for this 2.5-hour hike up and down rocky terrain.
  • Wild About Wild Turkeys Saturday, November 27, 10am-1pm. Drop-in program. Outside the Visitor Center Stop by the Visitor Center on this day before Thanksgiving to learn about park wildlife, craft your own wild turkey, and make a Happy Thanksgiving Wild Turkey card to your special someone.
As a reminder, entrance passes are required to recreate at Whiskeytown. To see which entrance pass option is right for you, head to the Visitor Center, open daily 9am to 5pm. The Visitor Center is located at Highway 299 and Kennedy Memorial Drive.

Finally, with smoke continuing to pester in the air from nearby fires, visitors are reminded that out of an abundance of caution interpretive programs are cancelled if the Air Quality Index is at or above 150.

For additional information or questions about Whiskeytown's October and November public programs, email, text, or call Scott Einberger, Supervisory Interpretive Park Ranger, at 530-356-3958 or [email protected].

About Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Whiskeytown is one of almost 430 parks within the National Park System. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area was established in 1965 to protect Whiskeytown Lake and surrounding habitat and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for the people of the United States. The park protects an immensity of over 1100 different native plant species and preserves historic sites associated with the Wintu People and California Gold Rush. Whiskeytown is visited by around one million people each year. Visitors primarily enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. The vast majority of the park has been restored and reopened from the 2018 Carr Fire which burned 97% of the national recreation area and destroyed over 100 structures. For more information, visit the park website or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.