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Oak Bottom Boat Launch

Whiskeytown Lake

Not published

The agency doesn't publish a low-water cutoff for this ramp, so we can't calculate its status from the lake level.

Lake level 1,208.9 ft, read · California Data Exchange Center (gauge WHI)

98.4% of capacity

Status recalculated hourly from the lake level, the agency's usable range and any closure order. Checked .

Live data updated

Oak Bottom is the Whiskeytown launch just off Highway 299 west of Redding, with a boat ramp, a separate canoe and kayak launch, a dock, a fish-cleaning station, flush toilets and drinking water. Whiskeytown is a National Park unit, so you need a park entrance pass instead of a Forest Service launch fee. The Park Service doesn't publish a low-water cutoff for its ramps, and Whiskeytown is held at a much steadier level than Shasta.

Weather, alerts and fire activity near the ramp

From the forecast point at Oak Bottom RV Campground, right next to the ramp. Each item carries the timestamp its source published.

Active weather alerts

  • Heat AdvisoryModerate

    Areas: Western Shasta County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft; South-Central Shasta County Including Redding Metro · +28 more areas

    Effective Oct 3, 2:14 PM · Expires Oct 4, 5:00 PM Pacific

    Full alert text

    All areas: Western Shasta County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft; South-Central Shasta County Including Redding Metro; Eastern Shasta County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft; Sierra Nevada of Tehama-Butte-Plumas Counties Between 1000-3000 ft; Northern Motherlode Between 1000-3000 ft; Central Motherlode Between 1000-3000 ft; Southern Motherlode Between 1000-3000 ft; Western Tehama County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft; Northern Sacramento Valley in Tehama County; Central Glenn County Including Interstate 5; Eastern Glenn County; Butte County Below 1000 ft; Western Glenn and Colusa County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft; Central Colusa County Including Interstate 5; Eastern Colusa County; Sutter and Yuba Counties Below 1000 ft; Capay Hills of Yolo County and Vaca Hills of Solano County; Western Yolo County Including Capay Valley and Interstate 505; Central Yolo and Northeast Solano Counties Including Woodland and Davis; Sacramento Metro and Western El Dorado and Amador Counties; Central Solano County Including Fairfield and Vacaville; Southwestern Solano County Including Vallejo; Sacramento County Delta; San Joaquin County Delta; Central San Joaquin County Including Stockton Metro; Tracy Triangle Below 1000 ft; Northeastern San Joaquin Valley Below 1000 ft; Eastern Diablo Range Above 1000 ft; Western Stanislaus County Below 1000 ft Including Interstate 5; Central Stanislaus County Including Modesto Metro

    * WHAT...High temperatures of 94 to 102 degrees expected and low temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s, with widespread Moderate HeatRisk and areas of Major HeatRisk. * WHERE...Sacramento and northern San Joaquin valleys, Delta and Carquinez Strait, and foothills. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses, especially to anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Hottest days expected Monday through Wednesday.

    What to do: Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

    Published · National Weather Service

Forecast

Forecast: National Weather Service · issued Pacific

Fire activity within 45 miles

  • Gulch Fire19.5 miles away

    5 acres

    Updated Oct 2, 4:08 PM Pacific

    Published · CAL FIRE

Fire restrictions

Campfire and stove rules change through the season. Read the current forest order before you pack a fire pan — we link it rather than paraphrase it.

Published · National Park Service, Whiskeytown NRA conditions

Road work on the way in

  • SR-299 · Trinity Alley/Old Shasta to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta

    Lane · Electrical Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 5, 7:01 AM – Oct 5, 6:01 PM (Pacific)

  • SR-299 · Trinity Alley/Old Shasta to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta

    Lane · Electrical Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 6, 7:01 AM – Oct 6, 6:01 PM (Pacific)

  • SR-299 · 0.3 mi west of Iron Mountain Rd to 0.3 mi east of Iron Mountain Rd

    Lane · Utility Work · 1 lane(s) — Oct 7, 2:30 AM – Oct 7, 10:01 AM (Pacific)

  • SR-299 · Trinity Alley/Old Shasta to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta

    Lane · Electrical Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 7, 7:01 AM – Oct 7, 6:01 PM (Pacific)

  • SR-299 · Trinity Alley/Old Shasta to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta

    Lane · Electrical Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 8, 7:01 AM – Oct 8, 6:01 PM (Pacific)

  • SR-299 · Trinity Alley/Old Shasta to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta

    Lane · Electrical Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 9, 7:01 AM – Oct 9, 6:01 PM (Pacific)

Source: Caltrans. County roads (e.g. Gilman Rd, Lakeshore Dr) aren't covered by this feed.

Ramp facts

Usable down to
Not published
Lanes now
Not published
Parking
Not published
Launch fee
A National Park entrance pass is required to enter Whiskeytown: $25 per vehicle for 7 days. The park is cashless.
Restrooms and water
Boat ramp, canoe/kayak/small boat launch, dock, fish-cleaning station, accessible restroom with flush toilets, drinking water, picnic shelter, boat-trailer and RV parking.
Getting there
Highway 299 west from Redding, then the signed Oak Bottom turnoff.

Where sources disagree

The National Park Service does not publish a minimum usable elevation for Whiskeytown ramps, so no drawdown cutoff can be shown. Whiskeytown is held at a far steadier level than Shasta.

40.65051, -122.59297 · Driving directions

Campgrounds near this ramp

Other ramps on Whiskeytown Lake

Questions people ask

Is the Oak Bottom launch open?

Not published as of October 3, 2026 at 11:00 PM. The agency doesn't publish a low-water cutoff for this ramp, so we can't calculate its status from the lake level.

How much does it cost to launch at Oak Bottom?

A National Park entrance pass is required to enter Whiskeytown: $25 per vehicle for 7 days. The park is cashless.

How do you get to the Oak Bottom launch?

Highway 299 west from Redding, then the signed Oak Bottom turnoff.

Does the Oak Bottom ramp have restrooms and water?

Boat ramp, canoe/kayak/small boat launch, dock, fish-cleaning station, accessible restroom with flush toilets, drinking water, picnic shelter, boat-trailer and RV parking.

Plan the launch

Sources: National Park Service. Lake level: California Data Exchange Center.