About BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
Overview This campground is located in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area,19 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. You can hear the waters of Brandy Creek from each campsite. Brandy Creek Trail passes nearby the campground and leads to a lovely series of waterfalls. The cool, clear waters of Whiskeytown Lake provide endless water activities. The picturesque mountain setting and extensive forested backcountry offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking.Recreation During the summer heat, swimming, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and water skiing are popular on the 3,200 acre lake. Year round, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, gold panning, fishing and picnicking attract visitors. Hunting is allowed in the appropriate season.Facilities Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, a large bear-resistant storage locker, a metal fire pit with a swing-arm barbecue grill and a lamp pole. Each campsite has its own vault toilet. Drinking water and electricity are not available.Brandy Creek is tent-on-the-ground camping only. No RVs, mobile homes, tent trailers, popup tents, cab-over campers, tent-car/truck hybrids allowed at this site. No overflow parking available. Since the Carr Fire there is no shade at these sites. Natural Features Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges, and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (530) 246-1225. Nearby Attractions Brandy Creek Beach is located two miles south of the campground and features sandy beaches, a large swimming area, picnicking and barbecuing facilities. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, there are showers, a store with food and supplies and rentals of paddle boards and kayaks.
How to Get There
From Interstate 5 in Redding, CA, drive 10 miles west on Highway 299. Turn left on Kennedy Memorial Drive and follow it for 5.4 miles to Brandy Creek Road. Turn left and follow Brandy Creek Road for 1.2 miles to the entrance to the campground on the right-hand side of the road. Site #1 will be immediately to the left. Site #2 will be to the right down the driveway.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
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Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
Heading to BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND?
No central reservation system listed for BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/272250) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND?
From Interstate 5 in Redding, CA, drive 10 miles west on Highway 299. Turn left on Kennedy Memorial Drive and follow it for 5.4 miles to Brandy Creek Road. Turn left and follow Brandy Creek Road for 1.2 miles to the entrance to the campground on the right-hand side of the road. Site #1 will be immediately to the left. Site #2 will be to the right down the driveway.
How do I contact BRANDY CREEK PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND?
You can reach the park at phone: 530-242-3412 or email: michelle_dulisse@nps.gov.
References & Official Resources
