Carr Powerhouse Picnic Shelter

Overview

Carr Powerhouse Picnic Area is located on the northern shore of Whiskeytown Lake in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 15 miles west of Redding, California. This covered picnic area is a popular spot to celebrate birthdays, weddings, family reunions, work events and many other special occasions.  There is a big open lawn area with additional picnic tables and benches. 

This is a day use area only. The hours are 9 am to 9 pm for reservation holders.  

Recreation

This area offers plenty of beuaitful views of Whiskeytown Lake. It is a big open grass area with benches, picnic tables, cornhole cement boards, and BBQ grills. Although swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing are popular activities in the Whiskeytown Lake National Recreation Area in the summer, this particular spot is not an area to do any of those due to strong water currents generated from the Carr Powerhouse.  

Swimming, kayaing, wading, etc, can be done in the water at nearby Oak Bottom (2 miles east) and Whiskey Creek (4.5 miles east).  

Hiking trails nearby include the Boulder Creek Falls and Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail. Both trails accessible by driving a short distance to the trailheads. Crystal Creek Road is less than 1 mile away which leads to hikes such as Crystal Creek and Whiskeytown Falls.  

Facilities

The Carr Powerhouse Picnic Area contains one large covered pavilion area with seven concrete round tables, two large charcoal barbecue grills (each have 3 sections to grill on), electricity is available to the site, cement boards for game of cornhole (bags not provided), flushable toilets, and garbage and recycleable bins.  

Natural Features

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is situated where the Klamath Mountains, Cascade and Coast Mountain Ranges and the Sacramento Valley meet, creating a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes.   

Nearby Attractions

The Whiskey Creek Launch Ramp is located 2.0 miles from this area.  

Boats are available for rent at Oak Bottom Marina, located 2 miles from this parking lot.

Swimming, kayaing, wading, etc, can be done in the water at nearby Oak Bottom (2 miles east) and Whiskey Creek (4.5 miles east).   

Hiking trails nearby include the Boulder Creek Falls and Oak Bottom Water Ditch Trail. Both trails accessible by driving a short distance to the trailheads. Crystal Creek Road is less than 1 mile away which leads to hikes such as Crystal Creek and Whiskeytown Falls.  

Contact Info

Charges & Cancellations

$10 Cancellation fee applies if cancelled prior to 14 days before arrival date. Late cancellation fees apply if cancelled less than 14 days before arrival date. 

From Redding, CA, take State Route 299 west for approximately 15.5 miles. Turn left onto South Shore Drive. When the road splits stay to the right on South Shore Drive and continue on until the road dead ends into the Carr Powerhouse Parking Lot.