James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls - Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)
Difficulty level
Strenuous! Steep! Hiking only. No bicycles or pack animals. Dogs are required to be on leash. Dirt path with rocks and roots the final 0.2 miles. Trail width from four to twelve feet.
The Carr Fire burned through 97% of the park in the summer of 2018. Be aware of hazards created by the fire, including falling trees and limbs, burned out stump holes, abandoned mine features, and loose rocks. Watch the weather and do not hike if rain is forecast. Rainstorms present the possibility of flash flooding, landslides and debris flows in the fire area. Stay on established roads and trails and report hazards to park dispatch, (530) 242-3431.
Starting at the Visitor Center, drive west 9 miles along Highway 299 to Crystal Creek Road. Turn left onto Crystal Creek Road and drive for 4 miles until you reach the small, paved parking lot on the left. A vault toilet is located at the trailhead.
Trail Description
The steep, strenuous, and scenic James K. Carr Trail uses mostly former logging roads to get the the tallest waterfall in the park, Whiskeytown Falls, a three-tiered cascade of 220 feet. The trail starts out heading downhill. After crossing over the west fork of Crystal Creek on a small footbridge, the trail begins to climb, sometimes very steeply. Just 0.2 miles before the waterfall is a small picnic area. The trail's final stretch to Whiskeytown Falls is through a narrow canyon. Notice the cooler, shadier climate here. At the base of the falls, feel free to take the stairsteps to the left to the middle falls viewing platform - be sure and use the metal handrails for safety. After relaxing and perhaps having a snack or lunch, return the way you came.
History
Before becoming Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, this area of the park was privately owned by Arthur Coggins, whose logging company selectively removed Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine and incense cedar during the 1950s. At this time, the loggers were generally the only people who knew about the falls. Park rangers initially learned about the waterfall in 1967 but kept it quiet. At that time, the park did not have the staff to protect this treasure or the money to construct a trail to the falls. Eventually, these rangers moved on and others who knew about the site passed away. Knowledge of the falls was generally forgotten and only a few residents visited the falls over the years. It was in 2004 that park natural resource managers Russ Weatherbee and Brian Rasmussen found the falls again. Under the leadership of park superintendent Jim Milestone, funding was secured and the formal trail to Whiskeytown Falls was constructed. It formally opened to the public in 2006. The James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls is by far the most popular trail in the national recreation area, enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.
The James K. Carr Trail area burned lightly to moderately during the Carr Fire and the trail was temporarily closed for visitor safety. Both footbridges were replaced and trail repair work was conducted. The trail was reopened on Valentine's Day of 2020.
The trail is named after James K. Carr, a native of Shasta County who was instrumental in the establishment of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Carr was a reclamation engineer with an interest in landscape conservation and outdoor recreation. He became Undersecretary of the Interior during the Kennedy administration. Carr, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, U.S. Senator Thomas Kuchel (R-Ca), and others were supportive of park establishment, as were the vast majority of locals within Shasta County. Carr helped push the park concept through Congress as well as locally and on November 8, 1965, the 42,000 acre Whiskeytown National Recreation Area bill was signed into law by U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
The James K. Carr Trail to Whiskeytown Falls is 3.4 miles roundtrip and is strenuous. There is over 600 feet of elevation gain and some steep sections of trail on the way to the waterfall. At minimum, wear sturdy shoes and carry plenty of water to drink.
The tallest cascade in the park, Whiskeytown Falls is reached via a strenuous 1.7 mile hike (3.4 miles roundtrip) on the James K. Carr Trail. The trail follows some steep sections of old logging roads and climbs approximately 700 feet to the falls.
Reservations are not required to enter Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, but are required for camping. You can pay the park entrance fee upon arrival at the visitor center (open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day), or online through Recreation.gov.
The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area charges a fee to enter.
Explore this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near Trout Run, Pennsylvania. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
You may stay a total of 14 days from May 15 through September 15 or a total of 30 days during the entire calendar year. Portable showers are not allowed. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, free cold showers or hot showers for a small fee are available at Oak Bottom Beach. Generators are not allowed.
Leashed dogs (pets), alcohol and horse use are permitted in some areas of the park. Please look for signs and follow all rules. Follow the link above for more specific information. Enjoy your visit, stop by or call the Visitor Center for more information, (530) 246-1225.
At Panther Creek State Park in Tennessee, camping fees range from $25 to $35 per night for standard campsites, depending on the amenities provided. The park offers sites with water and electric hookups, as well as primitive tent sites.
The 39,000 acres surrounding the lake hold four waterfalls, pristine mountain creeks, 70 miles of trails, and opportunities to explore the history of the California Gold Rush. Leashed dogs are allowed on Whiskeytown trails. Dogs are not allowed at four designated swimming beaches.
Pets are only permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins. There is an additional charge of $20 per night, per pet. Fall Creek Falls has twenty cabins located directly on Fall Creek Lake, which are known as the “Fishermen Cabins.” Ten of these cabins are two-story, two bedrooms, one and a half bath cabins.
The Ousel Falls Trail is a short 1.8 mile mostly paved hike on the outskirts of Big Sky Village in Montana. The hike is pretty and features a path that meanders along a stream ending at the Ousel Falls.
There are two routes that descend into the gorge. One is approximately one mile and the other is approximately 1.5 miles. Both routes are steep with uneven terrain and have significant elevation drops. Natural trail surfaces are varied and include water crossings, boulders, and other obstacles.
The Pfeiffer Falls Trail is far and away the most popular trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. This easy 1.5-mile hike climbs through a gorgeous redwood grove to reach impressive views of the 60-foot-tall waterfall.
Explore this 12.8-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 26 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
