September 22, 2022 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region will celebrate the 29th anniversary of National Public Lands Day at New Melones Lake, Lake Berryessa, and Stony Gorge Reservoir by waiving day use fees at all three recreation areas.

New Melones park rangers will also host a clean-up effort at Natural Bridges Day Use Area, and volunteers are invited to help with graffiti removal and invasive plant species control at this unique, picturesque location.

To volunteer at New Melones: meet at the Natural Bridges trailhead parking area off Parrotts Ferry Road, near Vallecito at 9 a.m. The event is scheduled for five hours, ending at 2 p.m. No pre-registration is necessary. Volunteers should dress for summer heat, wear sturdy shoes, bring a hat, have snacks, and plenty of water. If available, bring work gloves and a trash grabber. Volunteers do not need to stay for the entire event; any amount of time will be appreciated. For questions about the event, hiking conditions, directions, or any needed accommodations, call the New Melones Lake Administration Office at 209-536-9094, ext. 236.

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 with three sites and 700 volunteers, it is typically held on the last Saturday in September. For additional information, please visit the NPLD website at https://www.neefusa.org/npld.

For more information on California-Great Basin’s recreation areas, visit New Melones at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html, Lake Berryessa at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html, and Stony Gorge Reservoir at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ncao/stony-gorge/index.html. 


New Melones Lake 
Photo Credit: USBR
Source: USBR