Oak Shores Day Use Area (CA)

Lake Berryessa

Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities. Popular activities on and around the large, yet uncrowded lake include fishing, boating, water skiing, wake boarding, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking and picnicking. The Dufer Point Visitor Center offers year-round interpretive events and exhibits highlighting natural and cultural resources. Lake Berryessa is a Federal reservoir managed by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region (Central California Area Office).

Reclamation Managed Day Use Areas offer more than 200 picnic sites which are equipped with picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms and drinking water. There are six covered group picnic sites that can be reserved or can be used on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notifications and Alerts

Effective immediately, Reclamation will require all boats launching at Lake Berryessa to participate in a seal program to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. All vessels wishing to launch at Lake Berryessa will be inspected. A red quarantine seal will be applied for 30 days during, which the vessel will not be permitted to launch. Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff and will be allowed to launch. For more information on this updated protocol, please view the press release here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5031.
Effective immediately, Reclamation will require all boats launching at Lake Berryessa to participate in a seal program to prevent the spread of invasive mussels. All vessels wishing to launch at Lake Berryessa will be inspected. A red quarantine seal will be applied for 30 days during, which the vessel will not be permitted to launch. Vessels that have finished the 30-day quarantine may return to the lake and have the seal removed by authorized staff and will be allowed to launch. For more information on this updated protocol, please view the press release here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5031

Need to Know

Oak Shores Day Use Area- Park rules prohibit glass containers, fireworks, pets off leash, open fires and trailers. For additional information see 43 CFR Parts 423 and 429. They are available at the Lake Berryessa Administrative Office or online at: www.usbr.gov/cio/im/rules/Rules.htm
There are limited services, including food service and vehicle fuel, within thirty miles of most of the lake.
A reservation holder's representative must be present by 12:00 p.m. or the shelter will be given to a party requesting use.
Parking at Oak Shores during busy summer weekends is limited. Parking spaces are not guaranteed, even for groups with shade shelter reservations.
During summer, holiday weekends, we are not able to accomodate large groups and events at Oak Shores Day Use Area. Shade shelter reservations are not available during holiday weekends.
The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing fire restrictions at Lake Berryessa during Red Flag Warnings. Reclamation is prohibiting the use of charcoal or wood fires, even in established fire rings and grills, during Red Flag Warnings at Lake Berryessa. A Red Flag Warning, the highest wildfire alert, means that potentially dangerous weather conditions (hot/dry/windy) may result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours.
While recreating at Lake Berryessa:

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that comes in contact with water. Never dump unwanted bait, worms, fish parts or other organisms into the water. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. REMOVE plants, seeds, animals and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicle. CLEAN your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. STAY on designated roads and trails and use local firewood. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

Natural Features

Lake Berryessa is more than just a great place for water recreation. The blue oak woodlands covering the surrounding hills are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, all dependent on each other to survive. Visitors can experience the beauty of Lake Berryessa by hiking the Smittle Creek Trail. The climate is Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. For those who wish to venture outside the main recreation areas, there are many unique places to visit. Overall, the geography is quite varied and provides many opportunities for recreation.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby areas including Cedar Roughs Wilderness Area and Knoxville Recreation Area offering extensive backcountry and hiking opportunities. Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, operated by the University of California at Davis, is a high-quality hiking experience near the Monticello Dam that provides great views of Lake Berryessa.

Recreation

Oak Shores and Smittle Creek Day Use areas offer free day use, beach activities, swimming, shoreline fishing and wildlife viewing. The 2.6-mile long Smittle Creek Trail connects the two areas. Commercial Concession Areas also provide a variety of recreation opportunities for a fee at the lake. These include camping, lodging, marina services, boat rentals and retail stores. Contact the concession areas directly for information about amenities and fees. For more information on concessions, visit: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/visitor-info.html

Contact Information

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5520 Knoxville Road Napa CA 94558

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 707-966-2111

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Sacramento:
Take I-80 west toward San Francisco, and take Exit 113 towards Woodland. Travel about 1.5 miles until you see the sign for Winters. Exit here and turn left at the light. Follow this road into Winters. This road turns into Highway 128. Continue on 128 til right hand turn on Knoxville Road. It is approximately 8 miles north on Knoxville Road.

From San Francisco:
Drive north on Interstate 80 and take the Napa turnoff onto Highway 29. Then turn onto Highway 121, following it to Highway 128. Continue on 128 til right hand turn on Knoxville Road. It is approximately 8 miles north on Knoxville Road.

Available Campsites

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