September 26, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region will celebrate the 31st anniversary of National Public Lands Day by waiving day use fees at directly managed areas at New Melones Lake, Lake Berryessa, and Stony Gorge Reservoir. Other fees such as overnight camping, boat launching, and fees associated with concession managed areas, will still apply.

New Melones rangers will lead a volunteer event to foster native plant species to thrive. Meet at the Visitor Center, 6850 Studhorse Flat Road, Sonora, between 8:30-9 a.m. for a brief overview. The event will follow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to remove invasive plant species from the project area. No pre-registration is necessary. For questions about the event, hiking conditions, directions, or any needed accommodations, call the New Melones Lake Administration Office at 209-459-7290. 

Volunteers should dress for summer heat, wear sturdy shoes, bring a hat, have snacks, plenty of water, and work gloves if available. Volunteers do not need to stay for the entire event; any amount of time will be appreciated.

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,

Stony Gorge Reservoir at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/ncao/stony-gorge/index.html. 


Group photo of cleanup event at Lake Berryessa    Credit: USBR
Source: USBR