News Release Archive

Reclamation and Royal Elk Park Management, Inc. Finalize Interim Concession Contract for Management of the Putah Canyon Recreation Area at Lake Berryessa

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, 05/24/2013 14:15

For Release: May 24, 2013

NAPA, Calif. – On May 24, the Bureau of Reclamation signed an interim concession contract with Royal Elk Park Management, Inc. for management of the Putah Canyon Recreation Area at Lake Berryessa, Napa, Calif. The term of the interim contract is May 24, 2013, through December 31, 2015, plus one, one-year option period.

“Royal Elk Park Management has demonstrated experience and a commitment to visitor satisfaction, and we look forward to working with them as they begin providing much-needed visitor services at Putah Canyon this summer,” stated David Murillo, Regional Director for Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region.

Headquartered in Hollister, Calif., Royal Elk manages campgrounds and boat launches at several California locations, including the Pinnacles National Park in San Benito County and the Plumas National Forest’s Bucks Lake, Antelope Lake and Feather River Canyon in Plumas County. For additional information, please visit their website at http://royalelkparkmanagement.com/.

Under the interim contract, Royal Elk will provide RV and tent camping, day use, and boat launching at the Putah Canyon Recreation Area. For the Memorial Day weekend, all camping at Putah Canyon will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beginning on Wednesday, May 29, campers may call Royal Elk at 707-966-9051 (updated number) to make reservations for future camping dates. Royal Elk will begin staffing the phone line on Friday, May 24, to provide information only. Please note that currently no RV hook-ups, potable water, flush restrooms or showers are available for campers at Putah Canyon, and visitors/campers are advised to bring bottled drinking water.

Since June 2010, Pleasure Cove Marina has been managed under a long-term concession contract, offering RV and tent camping, cabin rentals and day use, a general store, and a full-service marina featuring boat launching, fueling service, boat slip rentals, and houseboat, ski boat and jet-ski rentals. For information or reservations at Pleasure Cove Marina, please call 707-966-9600 or visit http://goberryessa.com/.

Under a new interim concession contract signed with Reclamation on Monday, May 20, Pleasure Cove Marina, LLC is also managing two recreation areas:

  • Spanish Flat Recreation Area providing day use and RV and tent camping. All services are available for the Memorial Day weekend. Please call 707-966-9192 to make reservations. Please note that no RV hook-ups, potable water, flush restrooms or showers are currently available, and visitors/campers are advised to bring bottled water.
  • Steele Canyon Recreation Area providing day use, RV and tent camping, and boat launching. All services are available for the Memorial Day weekend. Please call 707-966-9179 to make reservations. Please note that no RV hook-ups, potable water, flush restrooms or showers are currently available, and visitors/campers are advised to bring bottled water.

Reclamation-managed facilities at Lake Berryessa include a visitor center, water education center, a boat launch ramp at Capell Cove, a hand-launch ramp at Eticuera Day Use Area and the popular Oak Shores and Smittle Creek day use areas for picnicking, fishing, swimming and hiking.

Operated by Reclamation’s Central California Area Office as part of the Solano Project, Lake Berryessa was visited by more than 500,000 people during 2012. For additional information, please contact Park Manager Jeff Laird at 707-966-2111 or jlaird@usbr.gov or visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://royalelkparkmanagement.com/