National Park Service · California

Sheep Camp Primitive Campground

National Park Service · California, United States · in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

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Sites
4
Hookups
4 no hookups
Season
April 1 to October 31
Drinking water
No
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
No
Dump station
No
Laundry
No
Pets
Yes
Elevation
1,844 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Nearest town
Whiskeytown
Address
PO Box 188, Whiskeytown , CA, 96095
Phone
530-242-3412
Activities
Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking

4 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

This tent-only campground is located in the center of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 17 miles west of Redding, California, and three and a half hours north of Sacramento. Ponderosa pines and fir shade the campsites which have cliffside views of Brandy Creek. Nearby trails lead to a series of lovely waterfalls or into old-growth forest high on Shasta Bally Mountain.

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

Sheep Camp is a tent-only campground. 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. Drinking water and electricity are not available. The campground has four campsites which share one vault toilet. To access these tent-only sites, walk approximately 25 feet from the parking area.

Due to a small parking area, towing vehicles is prohibited in this campground. The following are prohibited: all trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, cab-over campers and motorhomes. Sleeping in vehicles is not allowed. No overflow parking is available.

Natural Features

Tall pine and fir trees providing cooling shade make Sheep Camp Primitive Campground a relaxing retreat.
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 three and a half 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.

Fees

Sheep Camp camping fee: $20. This is the nightly cost for a tent-only site. Maximum occupancy: 6 people and two vehicles. Pay for your site online at Recreation.gov or call toll free 1-877-444-6777. This is the only way to pay for or reserve a site at the campground. We no longer accept payment at the Whiskeytown visitor center.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January53°37°29°70°4 of 11
February54°37°20°71°5 of 11
March59°39°28°84°5 of 11
April64°42°32°81°1 of 11
May78°52°40°91°0 of 11
June88°59°46°104°0 of 11
July98°67°55°108°0 of 11
August96°68°61°109°0 of 11
September87°60°51°97°0 of 11
October76°51°42°91°0 of 10
November59°43°33°81°0 of 10
December52°37°27°70°2 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.