Whiskeytown Falls
Shasta County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Shasta County, California
- Access status
- Official trail route and parking documented; entrance pass required
- The walk
- About 1.7 miles each way; 3.4 miles round trip
- Ground & access
- NPS rates it strenuous and steep, from 2,200 to 2,900 feet. Dirt path with rocks and roots for the final 0.2 miles. The area is in the 2018 Carr Fire burn scar; expect downed trees.
From the small paved lot on Crystal Creek Road, the trail drops to a footbridge over the west fork of Crystal Creek, then climbs steeply on old logging roads. A small picnic area is 0.2 miles before the falls. The last stretch runs through a narrow box canyon to the base; stairs on the left lead to the middle falls viewing platform. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
James K. Carr Trail parking on Crystal Creek Road to Whiskeytown Falls
NPS gives 3.4 miles round trip. The one-way figure is half of that.
NPS rates it strenuous and steep, from 2,200 to 2,900 feet. Dirt path with rocks and roots for the final 0.2 miles. The area is in the 2018 Carr Fire burn scar; expect downed trees.
Where to start
Small paved lot on the left, 4 miles up Crystal Creek Road from Highway 299 (about 9 miles west of the visitor center). Vault toilet at the trailhead.
Timing & water
NPS warns of falling trees in the burn scar, especially after storms. Current trail status was not checked for a specific date.
Before you go
An entrance pass is required for all visitors. The park is cashless; passes are sold at the visitor center or online. Hiking only; no bicycles or pack animals. Dogs on leash.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Crystal Creek FallsOfficial NPS accessible trailShasta County, CA1.3 miN
- Canyon Creek FallsPartial guide: base route unmaintained; exact drop probable, not confirmedTrinity County, CA28 miNW
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- Upper Canyon Creek FallsPublished trail route and mileages documented; long wilderness hikeTrinity County, CA30 miNW
- Grizzly Lake FallsWilderness trail; strenuousTrinity County, CA33 miNW
- Clover Creek FallsShasta County, CA34 miE
- Kickapoo WaterfallPartial guide: roadside view only; pullout not identifiedTrinity County, CA35 miN
- Potem FallsPublished trail route and trailhead; dirt road; unsigned pulloutShasta County, CA37 miNE
- Three FallsShasta County, CA38 miE