Information provided by Berryessa Trails and Conservation at www.berryessatrails.org 

Lake Berryessa Visitors Center

The Visitors Center has recently been renovated.  The exhibit area has been expanded, as has the outside deck.  Right now there is a wildlife exhibit with an interactive learning element - what two canine and feline wildlife species can be found in the area?     There are also exhibits on the history of the lake and water conservation. The Center has also been modified to be more user-friendly for those in wheelchairs.   A native grass garden has been planted in front.  

There are maps of the lake, and general brochures on Oak Shores Park, as well as maps of the Pope Canyon, Smittle Creek and North End Trails.   The Bureau of Reclamation has also created a number of brochures on fishing and wildlife, including Watchable Wildlife, Berryessa Bird Checklist for serious, or even not so serious, birders, and everyone’s favorite, Snakes of Berryessa, A Visitor’s Guide.  

There will be a park ranger on hand to answer questions about the lake, local wildlife, water use and conservation, and their various interpretive programs and activities. 

You will also find brochures on the various facilities at the Lake, from kayak launch ramps to parks, day use areas and concession facilities.  Junior Ranger Booklets are also available here.   There is a deck outside with a picnic table in case you want to peruse the literature and plan the day.   And, of course, there are restrooms.

Public Parks

Three miles of shoreline are available on the west side of Lake Berryessa for recreation, including picnicking, swimming, kayking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing.  The three miles includes two parks joined by a shoreline trail.  Both parks offer spectacular views of Lake Berryessa.  They are a wonderful place to enjoy the lake, and tend to be quiet during the week.  Summer weekends are busy, so the earlier in the day, the easier the parking.  The parks are patrolled by park rangers who are available for visitor information and safety.  An informational brochure for these public areas can be found at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/docs/brochure_oak_shores.pdf. 

Oak Shores Park. The larger of the two parks, Oak Shores extends for nearly two miles along the lakeshore.  It can be crowded, and even full, on weekends -  especially holiday weekends, so its best to arrive early.   If you get there and its full, try Smittle Creek Park or the North End.   The most quiet time to go is during the week.  Oak Shores has many picnic tables with recently installed shade shelters and charcoal grills.  There are a number of large shade shelters with enough picnic tables for a family reunion or party.  You can reserve one of four large shelters (accommodating 64 people), but you must do so two weeks in advance (online application at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/docs/app_shade_shelter_2005.pdf  (call 966.2111 x. 103 for information).   If you reserve a shade shelter you can also ask for a park ranger to come and talk to your group - a popular activity for children’s parties.   They will introduce information and activities on the Junior Ranger Program, wildlife, birds of prey, wildflowers, local history, water safety, water conservation, or aquatic life, depending on your interests.

There is a protected swimming area known as Acorn Beach at the southern end of the park  Due to light rains for the last couple of winters, the lake is fairly low., meaning the protected swimming area is smaller than usual for this time of year.   Of course, people swim and children play in the water everywhere along the park’s lakeshore.  

There are hand launch ramps (meaning you carry your kayak down to the water) at both Coyote Knolls and Foxtail Flat.   However, it is fairly easy to launch from pretty much anywhere that is relatively flat.  If you are looking for a quiet area to kayak with young children, drop by the Visitor's Center to see a map of the electric-trolling motors only area offshore from Coyote Knolls.

Foxtail Flat also has a Water Education Station with interactive exhibits for kids.   It’s open on weekends only.   You can also find brochures, maps, and Junior Ranger booklets here.  Also, you can borrow a life jacket for the day.   As can be seen on the map, the Smittle Creek Trailhead is in the far north. Please Note:  The northern end of Oak Shores Park is a temporary campground.  

Smittle Creek Park – This is a much smaller park.  Picnic tables and restrooms are spread out among rolling hills.  This park is also the northern trailhead for the 2.6 mile Smittle Creek Trail and the Smittle Creek Nature Trail. 

Day Use Areas

Markley Cove.   A popular place for people coming from Yolo County.   There are scattered short trails, including numerous trails that lead to the water.   The lakeshore is very steep, so finding a flat place to picnic or enjoy the water may not be easy, particularly now when the water is low.  Other than trashcans and the occasional port-a-potty, there are no facilities.   Launching a kayak is possible, but can be challenging due to the steep terrain.

Olive Orchard.   This is usually a popular place to launch a kayak, do some shoreline fishing, and have a picnic.   However, the low level of the water means that neither fishing nor launching a kayak is possible. You might find a walk down the dry creek bed interesting, and you can walk to the other side of the creek and into the oak woodland.  Paved parking area, restroom, picnic table.

Pope Creek.  It’s still possible to launch a kayak from here, but it is currently a long way to carry a kayak to reach the water.   Paved parking area and restroom.

North End.   There are a number of trails along a three-mile stretch of road, leading to the water.  A great place to find a quiet cove to fish, swim or picnic.  No restrooms.   Use the restrooms at Pope Creek or Eticuera. 

Eticuera.  The newest day use area, this spot tends to be very quiet.   Paved parking lot and restroom.   There is a car-top launch area.

5520 Berryessa-Knoxville Road, 707.966.2111 Hours (summer): Daily 10 am – 4 pm