Oak Bottom Boat Launch
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 1,206.9 ft, read · California Data Exchange Center (gauge WHI)
96% 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
No active National Weather Service alert covers Oak Bottom RV Campground right now.
Forecast
Forecast: National Weather Service · issued Pacific
Fire activity within 45 miles
CAL FIRE lists no active incident within 45 miles of Oak Bottom RV Campground.
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 · SWAZEY Dr.
Lane · Utility Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 26, 8:01 AM – Oct 26, 5:01 PM (Pacific)
SR-299 · 15805 Hwy 299, East of N Slope Dr
Lane · Paving Operation · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 27, 7:01 AM – Oct 27, 4:59 PM (Pacific)
SR-299 · 0.3 mi east of Rock Creek Rd to Red Bluff Rd/Old Shasta
Lane · Paving Operation · LShoulder, RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 27, 7:01 AM – Oct 27, 6:01 PM (Pacific)
SR-299 · SWAZEY Dr.
Lane · Utility Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 27, 8:01 AM – Oct 27, 5:01 PM (Pacific)
SR-299 · SWAZEY Dr.
Lane · Utility Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 28, 8:01 AM – Oct 28, 5:01 PM (Pacific)
SR-299 · SWAZEY Dr.
Lane · Utility Work · RShoulder lane(s) — Oct 29, 8:01 AM – Oct 29, 5:01 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.
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40.65051, -122.59297 · Driving directions
Campgrounds near this ramp
- Oak Bottom RV Campground · next to the ramp
- Oak Bottom Tent Campground · 0.2 mi
- Dry Creek Group Campground · 1.8 mi
- Brandy Creek RV Campground · 2.6 mi
- Brandy Creek Campground · 3.4 mi
Other ramps on Whiskeytown Lake
- Brandy Creek · Not published
Questions people ask
Is the Oak Bottom launch open?
Not published as of October 25, 2026 at 12:00 AM. 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.