Availability
The NPS backcountry route follows Boulder Creek, but the park does not certify it as potable or guarantee flow at the selected legal site.
Backpacking camp
Upper Boulder Creek Legal Camping Area camp area
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Backcountry, California
About this place
This marker represents the upper Boulder Creek trail corridor outside Whiskeytown's pink no-camping polygons, not a designated tent pad.
Confirm the legal side of the Appendix K boundary, stay 400 feet from roads and 100 feet from trails and streams, use no campfire, and treat water.
Water planning
Water at this camp
Boulder Creek is natural and seasonal · treatDrinking safety
Filter, boil, or disinfect creek water before drinking and keep collection outside the required 100-foot camping setback.
Seasonality
Carry a reserve because late-season drought, storm sediment, wildfire effects, or a route closure can make the creek unusable.
- Boulder CreekRiver or stream · less than 0.1 mi awayVariable source — confirm before departure · Treat before drinkingOfficial source
Fire planning
Campfire & stove rules
Backcountry campfires prohibitedCampfires
Whiskeytown prohibits campfires in its backcountry permit areas; an old ring or nearby primitive campground does not authorize one.
Backpacking stoves
Fuel stove on bare ground. Use a portable fuel stove only on bare mineral ground and keep it attended; do not use wood, charcoal, or a twig stove.
Permit
The free NPS backcountry permit is required; the park does not identify a separate California Campfire Permit for the allowed fuel stove.
Current restrictions
Check Whiskeytown conditions and the permit briefing before departure because emergency fire restrictions can suspend stove use.
Seasonal access
Closures & seasonal access
Whiskeytown backcountry has no recurring closure window, but summer heat and wildfire, winter storms, post-fire hazards, and road or trail work can close an approach or permit areaPlace closure
No recurring date-based closure of Upper Boulder Creek Legal Camping Area is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.
Seasonal access
Source-connected approach: Boulder Creek Trailhead. Whiskeytown backcountry has no recurring closure window, but summer heat and wildfire, winter storms, post-fire hazards, and road or trail work can close an approach or permit area.
Before driving
Obtain the free permit in person and verify the exclusion map, Boulder Creek Trail, fire status, and current park conditions before departure.
Mapped approaches
Choose a trailhead for Upper Boulder Creek Legal Camping Area camp area
Each option has a sourced trail route to this camp area. Choose one to open its itinerary builder with this destination in context.
- Boulder Creek Trailhead2.8 mi awayView trailheadBuild from here
Map
Loading map
- Latitude
- 40.626536° N
- Longitude
- 122.627984° W