The waterfall hikes in Northern California are nothing short of extraordinary. There are so many hiking trails with waterfalls in Northern California that it can almost be overwhelming to newcomers. The flow can range from a small trickle to a massive cascade and is heavily dependent on season and how much rain we’ve been getting, so it’s worth noting that the appearance of falls can change dramatically throughout the year.

If you're looking for a place with some of the best waterfall hikes in Northern California, it doesn't get much better than Whiskeytown Recreation Area. This National Park Service-managed site has four magnificent falls.
Flickr/ Susan Stienstra
Whiskeytown was once a thriving community, but the city was flooded when a dam was built in 1963 on Clear Creek. Even today, if the water is clear enough, boaters can sometimes see the outline of abandoned structures beneath the water's surface.
The fun-loving National Park Service staff have a challenge named the "Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge" encouraging hikers to reach all four waterfalls.
Flickr/ daveynin
This challenge is a blast for anyone who loves waterfalls in Northern California, plus you'll get a good workout in!
Waterfall 1: Whiskeytown Falls
Flickr/ Ron Lute
For over 40 years, the community surrounding Whiskeytown National Recreation Area managed to keep this 220-foot cascade a secret from the rest of the world. However, now the word is definitely out. You can access this stellar cascade via the 3.4-mile James K. Carr Trail.

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Waterfall 2: Boulder Creek Falls
Flickr/ Jillian Kern
Until Whiskeytown Falls was rediscovered, it was thought that Boulder Creek Falls was the highest waterfall within the park. This 138-foot cascade is pretty spectacular in its own right! You can access Boulder Creek Falls via a 2.75-mile trail that is right off South Shore Drive.
Waterfall 3: Lower Crystal Creek Falls
Flickr/ erikmeldrum
The trail to Lower Crystal Creek Falls is a great option for the whole family. The trail is ADA-accessible, so it's great for wheelchairs and strollers. This cascade is unique in that it was man-made and created during the engineering process. It serves as a spillway for when Whiskeytown Lake's powerhouse needs a break for maintenance. The trail is under 0.5 miles one-way and is a very manageable hike even for novice adventurers.
Waterfall 4: Brandy Creek Falls
Flickr/ rubengarciajrphotography
Editor's Note: As of summer 2022, the Brandy Creek Falls Trail is closed due to damage from a recent fire.

Brandy Creek Falls is actually a series of five large cascading falls that sweep down across polished granite rock. Visitors who attempt the hike in spring will likely see the umbrella-leafed Indian rhubarb here. It's one of the first spring flowers to appear in Northern California and displays an array of brilliant pink blossoms. This hike is about three miles round trip.

For more information on Whiskeytown National Recreation Area’s hiking opportunities, check out the National Park Service website. Updates on the Brandy Creek Falls Trail will be posted there, but we hope that it can reopen one day.

Have you ever visited Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in Northern California and seen any of these brilliant falls? Share your experience in the comments. And if you like exploring waterfalls in Northern California, we’ve got a whole weekend itinerary for you that you won’t want to miss.

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More to Explore

Waterfall Hikes In Northern California

Lisa Sammons | August 04, 2022

What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Northern California?

If you're looking for waterfalls in Northern California, you don't want to miss the aptly-named Hidden Falls Park! This place is chock-full of beauty and has over 30 miles of hiking trails. The waterfall that the park is named for is absolutely stunning.

What are some great kid-friendly hikes in Northern California?

Frazier Falls Trail is a super-easy one-mile trail in Northern California that - you guessed it - is home to Frazier Falls. The 176-foot waterfall is quiet the sight, and the trail provides access to a beautiful overlook that gives you a spectacular vantage point to see the falls. There are plenty of other family-friendly hikes in the area that won't take all day or a lot of energy, but still provide excellent views and beautiful scenery.

Are there any easy-access waterfalls in Northern California?

We get it - sometimes you're not feeling up for the exertion necessary for a long hike, but still want to check out some of our beautiful waterfalls. No sweat (literally!): we've got some wonderful waterfalls in Northern California that don't require any hiking at all! One of our favorites is Kickapoo Falls at Trinity Center in Shasta Natural Forest. This 55-foot cascade can flow with a ton of strength after a good rainfall.

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Whiskeytown Falls, California 96087, USA