Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Ranger-Guided Kayak and Paddle Board Tours
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, located in northern California, is a unit of the National Park Service. The 42,000-acre park is situated eight miles west of Redding at the northern edge of the Sacramento river valley, in the foothills of the Klamath Mountains. The park was established in 1965 as part of the Central Valley project. Whiskeytown Lake provides a dependable water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power, and numerous recreational opportunities. Each year, approximately 800,000 visitors come to enjoy the unique experiences that only can be had at Whiskeytown.We invite you to explore the park's natural beauty, majestic views, and abundant wildlife via kayak or paddle board while participating in a ranger-guided tour.
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, located in northern California, is a unit of the National Park Service. The 42,000-acre park is situated eight miles west of Redding at the northern edge of the Sacramento river valley, in the foothills of the Klamath Mountains. The park was established in 1965 as part of the Central Valley project. Whiskeytown Lake provides a dependable water supply, flood control, hydroelectric power, and numerous recreational opportunities. Each year, approximately 800,000 visitors come to enjoy the unique experiences that only can be had at Whiskeytown.
We invite you to explore the park's natural beauty, majestic views, and abundant wildlife via kayak or paddle board while participating in a ranger-guided tour.
Need to Know
Visitors who are wearing flip-flops or are barefoot will not be allowed to participate for safety reasons!
- COVID 19 Safety Precautions
Due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, all visitors, staff and volunteers, must wear a face covering while on land. This is due to the close proximity to each others while on shore. Thank you for keeping everyones health and safety a priority.
- Reservations. Whiskeytown offers reservations up to two weeks in advance for ranger-led kayak and paddleboard tours. Tours are available most Wednesdays, Thursday, Saturdays, and Sundays from late May through early September.
- Fees and Cancellations. The tour is free. A non-refundable $1.00 reservation fee per person applies. If you have made reservations and are unable to reschedule or attend your scheduled tour, please cancel your reservation to open space for other participants, as all tours are in high demand. Park staff cancel tours for unsafe conditions, including but not limited to insufficient staffing, extreme or inclement weather, and low visibility due to smoke.
- Park Operating Hours and Seasons: Whiskeytown National Recreation area is open year-round. The visitor center is open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Services vary depending on the season.
- Arrive on Time: If you arrive late and miss the safety briefing, you will not be permitted on the program. Please plan for summer traffic and other unforeseen delays.
- Park Entry Fees. The park charges an entrance fee. Please pay your entrance fee before you arrive for your tour either at the visitor center, or by purchasing in advance through YourPassNow.
Visit the park Fees and Passes web page for details. Tour capacities. Kayak tours are limited to 20 participants, paddle board tours are limited to 10 participants. - Equipment. The park provides all equipment (life jackets, boats, boards, paddles). No personal equipment is allowed.
- Age Limits. Kayak tour participants must be at least six years of age, and children under 12 must be paired with an adult age 18 or older. For paddle board tours, children must be at least ten years old and attend with an adult age 18 or older.
- Weight Limits. Weight limit is 400 pounds total capacity for tandem (2 seat) kayaks, and 220 pounds for paddle boards (single capacity).
- How to Dress/ What to Bring: Life jackets are provided for adults and children. Everyone is required to wear them at all times during tours, including swim stops. We require you wear a t-shirt under your life jacket for hygienic reasons. Bring water for each person and wear clothing and footwear that can get wet. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat are highly recommended. Be sure glasses are secured to the head with a strap. Visitors are required to wear proper footwear such as old tennis shoes, water shoes, or strap-on sandals that will stay on the feet at all times during the tour.
Visitors who are wearing flip-flops or are barefoot will not be allowed to participate for safety reasons! - Prohibited: Firearms, alcoholic beverages, coolers, smoking, pets. Bring electronic equipment (cameras, phones, watches) at your own risk.
- Health/ Physical Ability. Everyone must be in good health with no recent illnesses or surgery. Everyone must be comfortable in the water, and able to get back into a kayak or onto a paddle board under their own power should they fall in. Participants should be prepared and able to lift and carry kayaks, boards, and other equipment for short distances. Visitors not able to do this should advise park rangers. Those with special needs must contact the park at least two weeks in advance to determine suitability/ ability to accommodate needs.
- Reservations. Whiskeytown offers reservations up to two weeks in advance for ranger-led kayak and paddleboard tours. Tours are available most Wednesdays, Thursday, Saturdays, and Sundays from late May through early September.
Booking Windows
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area runs Kayak and Stand Up Paddle board ranger led tours from Memorial day weekend to Labor day weekend.
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds once tour starts. See Facility Rates for fees.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 188/ 14412 Kennedy Memorial Dr. Whiskeytown CA 96095
Phone Number
530-246-1225
Available Tours and Tickets
- Evening (5:00 Pm-7:30 Pm) Kayak at Oak Bottom
- Moonlight (7:30 Pm - 10:00 Pm) Kayak at Oak Bottom
- Morning (9:00 Am-11:30 Am) Kayak at Oak Bottom
- Paddle Board at Brandy Creek (1:30 Pm- 3:30 Pm)
