French Gulch
French Gulch is a city in Shasta County in the Shasta Cascades region of California.
Get in
The optimal way to go to French Gulch is by car. Be sure to bring chains.
Directions from Redding: Go west on CA 299 W until you reach it.
Get around
The town of French Gulch is small enough that you can get around by car.
See
Whiskeytown Lake
Whiskeytown Lake is one of two major lakes within 50 miles of Redding, CA. It is smaller, so it is by far the least crowded. It is best to visit in the fall.
Park Headquarters
This place offers rangers to ask for help and information, and a gift shop. It shares a parking lot with the trailhead of the Shasta Divide Nature Trail. For visitor information, call (530) 246-1225.
Do
The closest outdoor recreation areas are Whiskeytown Lake (see above), Whiskeytown Falls, and the Carr Powerhouse area.
Whiskeytown Falls
Undiscovered until recently, these falls are odd in that they flow a bit at a more horizontal slope than most others. It is a strenuous hike there, but you'll be glad you did. If you can muster enough energy, there is also a trail at the Falls that takes you eventually to Shasta Bally.
Carr Powerhouse Area
Best known for its gold panning and nice picnicking areas, this goes from a creek and an old house to the Mill Creek Trail, the El Dorado Mine Loop Trail, and the Tower Gravesite trail. The latter has many fruit trees, and is the least strenuous. Along the creek in the summer, there are many monarch butterflies.
Buy
Shopping is not a major industry in French Gulch.
Eat
- French Gulch Hotel, 14138 Main St., ☏ +1 530 359-2112. A nice place to eat in French Gulch is the French Gulch Hotel, which, of course, doubles as a hotel.
Drink
Sleep
- French Gulch Hotel, 14138 Main St., ☏ +1 530 359-2112. The French Gulch Hotel, which doubles as a restaurant, is where most travellers stay in French Gulch.
Go next
| Routes through French Gulch |
| Arcata ← Weaverville ← | W  E |
→ Shasta → Redding |