Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area: Nature, Paddleboards, and the Great Life Vest Crisis
- Mai Smith-Trau
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Let’s talk about Northern California—the state's best-kept secret (and no, I’m not just saying that because the SoCal folks forget it exists). This place is a total movie set come to life: trees that look like they were sketched by Bob Ross, lakes so clear you can see your regrets at the bottom, and trails that make you say “I totally work out” even when you don’t.
We recently took the chaos (aka the family) to Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area—one of only sixteen of its kind in the entire country. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. If you’ve got an America the Beautiful pass, flash that baby and stroll on in. Otherwise, it’s $15–$25 for a full day of nature-fueled memories. Still a deal.
First stop: Visitor Center
Because we’re nerds for passport stamps and stickers (don't judge—it’s like Pokémon for National Parks people). The rangers? 10/10. Friendly, helpful, didn’t even flinch when we asked “is it normal to hike in flip-flops?” (Spoiler: It’s not).
The Famous Whiskeytown Falls
If you're feeling adventurous (or just want to earn your post-hike snacks), Whiskeytown Falls is the hike to do. It takes about 2–3 hours, depending on how many times you stop to catch your breath and pretend you're admiring the view. There are other, more chill trails near the lake too if you're just here for the vibes.
Our Lake Day, AKA "Adventure with Paddleboards and Mild Panic"
We camped out at the beach area, which had a boat launch, rentals, and plenty of space to spread out like we owned the place. Everything was going great until—plot twist—we realized Whiskeytown requires life vests, and unlike our local lakes, this rule is actually enforced. Cue the emergency Target run. 🚗💨 (Luckily it was only 10 minutes away. Crisis averted.)
Once we were legal and floatable, we broke out our gear like seasoned lake day pros:
Yeti M20 Backpack Coolers (yes, plural) – one for snacks, one for drinks, because we’re organized.
Three paddleboards (inflatable, of course, because we love our backs).
Sunscreen, hats, chaos, and 5 humans who think they know how to paddle but mostly float and take selfies.
Paddleboard Paradise
The water? Crystal clear. Like, see-the-bottom clear. The kind of clear that makes you question what’s lurking but also appreciate that you remembered to shave. We paddled to a nearby island (very castaway chic), hung out near the marina, and didn’t once get taken out by a motorboat. That’s a win in my book.
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a chill, family-friendly, sun-drenched lake day that doesn’t feel like you're battling for towel space with 800 strangers—Whiskeytown Lake is it. Clean beaches, easy parking, warm vibes, and enough space for paddleboards, picnics, and a few mild parenting meltdowns.
Would I go again? Absolutely. Would I remember the life vests the first time? Unlikely.
Gear Shoutouts:📸 Shot on a Sony a6700 (chef’s kiss) and my vintage-but-pretty Nikon D3200, which I bought 10 years ago purely for its looks. Don’t judge—I’m learning how to make her fancy with new lenses from Adorama. It’s my go-to for all things camera gear.
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