Whiskeytown - (2 or 5.5 Miles; O&B) - Boulder Creek Falls

14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive (Visitor Center)
Whiskeytown, California 96095
Shasta County
Website
Phone: 530-242-3400

Located in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Boulder Creek Falls offer two hikes to get to it; (1) the Mill Creek Road hike is an easy 2-mile hike that leads you through a creek, literally, and in our experience has been less crowded (neither are really crowded though) and (2) the South Shore Drive hike is a more intense five and a half mile hike that will get your legs burning on the way up.  Both hikes offer incredible peace and beauty and are quite enjoyable. 
Boulder Creek Falls look like it came out of a movie, shot in some exotic place.  Of the Four Waterfalls within Whiskeytown, this one has the sweetest payoff in that you come around a corner and there it is, just above a mellow pool of water that you can get in if you'd like. 
Distance:  2 Miles (Round-Trip) or 5.5 Miles (Round-Trip) depending on which route you choose. 
Degree of Difficulty:   The shorter trail is easier due to length and lack of incline.  The longer trail is moderate.
Dogs:  Yes, on leash only. 
Camping:  There is plenty of camping at Whiskeytown Lake.  Click HERE to find options. 
How to get there:
There are two trailheads for this waterfall that are both located on the west side of the park.
From the visitor center, take Highway 299 west for 7 miles until you reach South Shore Drive.
1)  Mill Creek Road Route (2 Miles) - From South Shore Drive you can take a right on Mill Creek Road until the road ends.  You'll find the trailhead to the 2 mile round-trip hike there.  On Mill Creek Road, when you reach the fork in the road, go right. 
2)  South Shore Drive (5.5 Miles) - Stay on South Shore Drive and you'll see the trailhead on the road.  Parking is across the street from the trailhead.  This trail is about 5.5 miles round-trip and is moderate/intense. 
Our map shows the location of the Visitor Center.
More info:
If you have the time/energy, the 5.5 mile route off South Shore Drive offers better views of the lake and surrounding area.  You do need to stop by the visitor center and pay an entry fee. 
*Click on the photos to enlarge them