NPS - National Park Service

05/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/20/2024 10:20

Bring Your Own Kayak, Paddleboard Adventure, Rise & Shine Kayak Tour: Summer 2024 Ranger-Led Programs Begin this Weekend!

News Release Date:
May 20, 2024

Contact:Scott Einberger, 530-356-3958

Whiskeytown, CA - to encourage healthy exercise in the great outdoors, and to enhance the visitor experience in this special place known as Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, we are delighted to announce our summer 2024 ranger-led programs schedule...

  • Bring Your Own Kayak (BYOK): Whiskey Creek Arm Select Saturday Mornings beginning May 25th. Pre-registration required. New this summer on select Saturday mornings, bring your own kayak, paddle, and lifejacket and join an interpretive park ranger to explore a particular section of the lake. Ages 16 and older. To register for the May 25th inaugural BYOK program taking place on the Whiskey Creek Arm of Whiskeytown Lake from 9:30am to 12:30pm, email [email protected]. You may email the same address to register for the June 1st BYOK occurring at Brandy Creek.
  • Rise & Shine Kayak Tour Fridays to Mondays, 9am-11:30am, Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Pre-registration required. Hop on a double kayak with a friend or family member and explore the Oak Bottom area of Whiskeytown Lake with an interpretive park ranger. Ages 6 and above. No prior paddling experience needed; kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets provided. Click here to pre-register up to two weeks in advance.
  • Paddleboard Adventure Fridays to Mondays, 1:30pm-3:30pm, Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Pre-registration required. Learn the basics of stand-up paddleboarding and get in the water as you explore the Brandy Creek area of Whiskeytown Lake with an interpretive park ranger. Ages 10 and older. No prior paddleboard experience needed; paddleboards, paddles, and lifejackets provided. Click here to register up to two weeks in advance.
  • Junior RangersMay 25, July 6 and August 31, 10am-10:45am, at Oak Bottom Amphitheater. Children and families will learn about the park through interactive activities. Upon completing the program, youth will receive a Whiskeytown Junior Ranger patch.
  • Junior FirefightersMay 25, July 6 and August 31, 11am-11:45am, at Oak Bottom Fire Station. Children and families will head inside the park's fire station to learn all about fire management and firefighting at Whiskeytown through engaging activities. Upon completing the program, youth will receive a Whiskeytown Junior Firefighter patch.
In addition to these ranger-led programs, Whiskeytown Marinas, the park's authorized concessionaire, will host Saturday Night Movie Night at Oak Bottom Amphitheater. Movies will begin at 9pm this Saturday through July and begin 8:30pm in August. Check at the Oak Bottom Campground Store for details.

Visitors are reminded that an entrance pass is required to recreate in the park including participating in interpretive programs. Entrance pass revenue is an important fund source for Whiskeytown and 100% of this money goes back to the park to enhance your experience. Entrance passes can be purchased at the Whiskeytown Visitor Center, open daily from 9am to 5pm at the corner of Highway 299 and Kennedy Memorial Drive.
For more information about summertime 2024 interpretive programs, contact Scott Einberger, Supervisory Interpretive Park Ranger & Public Affairs Specialist, at [email protected]. You may also text or call him at 530-356-3958.

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. For more information, visit the park website or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.