Day Use

Facilities

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.

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.

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

Recreation Sites

  • Group Shelter Nonelectric
  • Day

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Birding
  • Canoeing
  • Day Use Area
  • Environmental Education
  • Guided Interpretive Walks
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Kayaking
  • Non-Motorized Boating
  • Paddling
  • Picnicking
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Swimming Site
  • Water Sports
  • Water Activities
  • Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

  • Accessible Drinking Water
  • Accessible Flush Toilets
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Vault Toilets
  • Drinking Water
  • Educational Programs
  • Emergency Services
  • Entrance Station
  • Flush Toilets
  • Grills
  • Lake Access
  • Paved Parking
  • Paved Roads
  • Pay Phone
  • Pets Allowed
  • Picnic Shelters
  • Tables
  • Trailhead Parking
  • Trailheads
  • Vault Toilets
  • Recycling
  • Shade
  • Picnic Tables
  • Accessible Picnic Shelters

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.

Getting Here

Latitude
38° 33' 36.1080" N
Longitude
122° 14' 5.5680" W
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.

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/

    • Contact Information

    5520 Knoxville Road
    Napa, CA 94558

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

    Additional Information