Crystal Creek Falls is a man-made cascade in the western section of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, reached by a short paved trail that ends at a viewpoint above the falls.
Details
- Type
- Waterfall
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
The falls exist because of water engineering, not nature. When the Bureau of Reclamation built an overflow structure here, it rerouted Crystal Creek about 50 feet, sending the water over a shortcut that became the cascade visible today. The paved trail runs roughly 0.5 miles one way and is about 10 feet wide to the viewpoint, flat enough for wheelchair access. A steep, unmaintained dirt path then drops to the base of the falls and the natural pool below.
Know Before You Go
The pool at the base draws waders and swimmers on hot summer days, reached only by the rough descent from the paved area. Two picnic tables and BBQ grills sit just before the waterfall, and the parking area has a vault toilet. From Highway 299 in the western part of the park, follow Crystal Creek Road two miles, then turn left into the trailhead parking lot.