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Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)

Overview

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 8 AM, check out by 7 PM.

Reviews

Ratings (10)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

Kathy S

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:A2-Acorn Beach 2

Reviewed a day ago

Wwas good, wish the bathrooms were open.

Julius D

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:F1-Foxtail Flat 1

Reviewed 2 months ago

Had a fabulous time out at Oak Shores Day Use Area this past Saturday. Reserved Foxtail Flat F1 Picnic Shade Overhang which includes 8 shaded picnic tables very close to the water. Had some of my SUP paddle club come out for a potluck Style lunch and beach day. Staff was great, place was clean, and weather was perfect. Perfect place to swim, lounge along/in the water, and SUP/kayak.

Jocelyn R

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:A1-Acorn Beach 1

Reviewed 3 months ago

We had a fun time for my Fiancé’s lake Birthday party! There was so much space for (20 people + 2 dogs) including food, coolers, decorations, and tents / floaties . One thing I do want to note that isn’t updated on their website is that the day use grills have been completely taken out, even though it says on their website “Personal charcoal barbecue grills are not allowed anywhere at Lake Berryessa. Those wishing to barbecue with charcoal must use the grills provided in established campgrounds and day use areas.” There’s also no recent working phone numbers to ask questions so that’s why I’m writing this review to inform future parties 👍🏼 another thing is the checkout time will tell you 7pm on your reservation email and closing time 8pm online, but they close at 5pm until summer hits so if you’re going before then, try to start early morning. They also have a blocked off swimming area right infront of this area so it’s perfect if you have kids that want to go swimming or float without going too far. The bathrooms are closed for now but they have porta potties that are surprisingly pretty well kept. It’s a nice and super affordable day use area + very intimate since you’re kind of away from all the other table areas :) I would definitely go here again in the summer time !

Raymundo E

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:C2-Coyote Beach 2

Reviewed a year ago

Little bit of a walk from parking lot and lots of hills

Martina B

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:F2-Foxtail Flat 2

Reviewed a year ago

Very clean! Bathrooms and garbage were maintained throughout the day. Parking was a little tricky but we were also warned prior to arrival, first come first serve.

Lawrence M

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:A1-Acorn Beach 1

Reviewed a year ago

Very enjoyable day!

Kao S

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:A1-Acorn Beach 1

Reviewed 3 years ago

Clean area and name sign was there to reserve my spot.

Shelvin S

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:A2-Acorn Beach 2

Reviewed 4 years ago

great location but very dry and water level is extremely low.

Michael M

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:C1-Coyote Beach 1

Reviewed 4 years ago

Beautiful Lake Berryessa is made more beautiful by your cheerful, helpful, staff. Joy Lamarre, Daniel Hewitt, and Jennifer Onufer all contributed to accommodating our needs and making us welcome. Joy was especially attentive to the details for our groups visit. Thanks for a wonderful experience.

Orey A

Loop:Oak Shores Day Use Area

Site:C2-Coyote Beach 2

Reviewed 7 years ago

The area was clean and the staff was friendly. The location was far from ideal. There was no path to the covered area forcing you to walk quite a ways thought weeds and stickers. Given the lack of a path and the distance from the water I don't feel that this covered area should be a rental space.

Popularity

Very quiet · 12%

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve Watch

Location

5520 Knoxville Road
Napa, CA 94558

Phone: 707-966-2111

Email: jgjordan@usbr.gov

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Camp Sites

Camping