Record Searchlight, Sunday, June 19, 2016
Ranger-led activities set at Whiskeytown
Whiskeytown offers a variety of free, family-friendly activities throughout the summer. From kayaking to stargazing, there is something for everyone. Programs begin Sunday on Father’s Day and run through Labor Day Weekend.
Reservations are required for the park’s kayak programs and can be made up to 2 weeks in advance by calling 530-242-3462. While programs are free, visitors must display a valid entrance pass on all vehicles in the park.
Kayak Program
Daily tours at 9:30 am and 5:30 pm (except Friday evening)(2 1/2 hours): Hop on a tandem kayak with a friend and explore the quiet coves around Whiskeytown Lake while you learn more about the natural and cultural values of the park. Children must be at least 7 years old. Reservations are up to two weeks in advance.
Moonlight Kayak Program
July 14-18 at 8 pm and August 13-17 at 7:30 pm (2 1/2 hours) Experience dramatic changes in the landscape as you explore Whiskeytown Lake under the light of the moon. Reservation slots fill up fast for this program. Call 530-242-3462 in the morning two weeks in advance to receive the best opportunity of securing a spot.
Special Access Kayak Program
Friday evenings during July and August (2 hours) This program has been developed for individuals with special needs so they can enjoy a kayaking adventure. Visitors who have limited mobility, developmental issues, or with restrictions due to age or illness are encouraged to give kayaking a try. Visitors with special needs are paired with an experienced kayak volunteer. Call 530-242-3421 for more information.
Junior Ranger Kayak Program
Mondays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm (1.5 hours) Join us for a special program that pairs parents and their children in kayaks so they can discover and share the joy of nature with each other as they paddle and play. The program is geared for children 3 to 6 years old. Call 530-242-3462 to make a reservation.
Junior Ranger
Saturdays at 10 am (1 hour) Children along with their parents can learn about preserving and protecting park resources while making new friends during a special one-hour activity that explores the wonders of Whiskeytown. Meet at the Oak Bottom Amphitheater. Ask the ranger about earning your Whiskeytown Junior Ranger badge and patch.
Junior Firefighter
Saturdays at 11 am (1 hour) Join Whiskeytown National Park Service firefighters to learn how they manage fire to promote forest health and protect lives and property. Children will learn about the important role that fire plays in the ecosystems of our national parks during this hands-on activity. Children who complete the program will earn a Junior Firefighter Badge. Meet at the Oak Bottom Amphitheater.
Walk In Time
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1 pm (2 hours) Discover how pioneers/prospectors Charles Camden and Levi Tower reshaped the landscape to create a home for their families and an oasis for many travelers during and after the California Gold Rush. Visit the historic orchard and find apple trees over 150 years old that still bear fruit. After a tour of the Camden House, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the area, then try your hand at finding gold the old-fashioned way–with a gold pan in the creek. Meet the ranger at the Tower House Historic District parking lot bulletin board.
Evening Astronomy Program
Friday evenings at 9 pm; during August and September, start time is at 8:30 pm (1 hour) Spend the evening with a Sky Ranger and discover the wonders of our night sky. After a 30 minute presentation, Shasta Astronomy Club members will share their powerful telescopes to assist visitors with their celestial gazing. Meet at the Oak Bottom Amphitheater for the first half of the program and the second half of the program at the Oak Bottom Beach parking lot. Contact Ranger Matt Switzer for more information about the park astronomy programs at 530-242-3454.
Free Movie Night Under the Starlight
Saturday evenings at 8:30 pm through Labor Day Weekends at Oak Bottom Amphitheater. Presented by the Oak Bottom Marina, family0friendly movies are offered to anyone who would like to join. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Bring a cozy pillow and sit under the stars while enjoying a movie next to the lake. For more information, contact the Oak Bottom Beach Store at 530-359-2675.
Star Party
Saturday 8-11 pm on August 6, August 27, September 3, and September 10 (weather permitting) For up-to-date information, call the visitor center 530-246-1225 or visit the park website or www.shastaastronomyclub.org. Experience the splendor of the dark night sky. The night constellations often elude urban dwellers, but at Whiskeytown visitors are able to see deep into space aided by powerful telescopes provided by the passionate and knowledgeable Shasta Astronomy Club. Take Paige Bar Road and meet at the Mount Shasta Mine Loop Trail parking lot.
Perseid Meteor Shower Special Event
Friday evening August 13. Brandy Creek parking lot B, start time is after sunset. Whiskeytown, in partnership with the Shasta Astronomy Club, will hold a special star party for the Perseid Meteor Shower.