These are the main places where there is public access from the road suitable for launching a kayak or canoe. See the driving instruction map for directions to the launches.

A high resolution Lake Berryessa Paddle Map is available for printing and use while paddling. This map shows the locations of the launch points as well as details of the various coves and islands for exploring.

Markley Cove

Several pullouts on Hwy. 128 just above and west of the dam may be used for launching. Carry boats down short trails or gated roads to the water. Pullouts are numbered with small signs and with numbers painted on the edge of the highway. Pullout #13, a short distance east of the store at Markley Resort, offers the most direct but somewhat steep launch access. At the east end of Pullout #10 is a smooth dirt road down to the lake, starting at a gate. This is a longer but less steep alternative.

Steele Canyon

A public foot entrance is on Steele Canyon Road just before Steele Park Resort. Kayaks may be lifted over the steel gate next to the foot entrance and then rolled or carried about 1/4 mile along a smooth partially paved road to a side cove of the lake. This cove contains the Willi Ski School and is blocked by a log boom with a sign announcing "Use of Ski School Area Prohibited." Nonetheless, the cove is open to the public and only the marked area used by the school is off limits. Paddle along the shoreline on the way to or from the main lake while enjoying the view of visitors learning to water ski.

Capell Cove

The only public boat launch on the Lake. Parking lot and good beach for launching.

Oak Shores

Lots of parking within the public day use area. Two launch ramps for hand launching of cartopped boats are at Foxtail Flat (short ramp) and Coyote Knolls (longer ramp). Boats may also be carried to the water anywhere within the park. Note closing time for the park when first entering.

Smittle Creek

Easy walk from the parking lot through the picnic area to the water.

Pope Creek Bridge

Large parking lot at the intersection of the Knoxville and Pope Canyon Roads. Path down to the water.

Putah Creek Pullout

At the north end of the Putah Creek Bridge. Parking with a rough but well used trail down to the water, starting at a foot entrance at the north end of the pullout.

Schoolhouse Cove Pullout

Good place to start exploring the north shore. Short path down to the water.

Eticuera

The Eticuera Cartop Launch is a short distance past the east end of the causeway that crosses the north end of the Lake. This new (November, 2007) day use facility offers a parking lot, restroom and a smooth path to carry or wheel a boat to the water for launching.

East Shore North

A foot entrance (labelled E1 on the entrance) at the north end of the East Shore road leads to an old smooth road bed. Kayaks may be lifted over the metal gate next to the foot entrance and then carried or rolled on a cart for 0.1 miles to just past a set of posts in the road bed and then launched into a small cove of the lake on the north side of the road. Alternately, kayaks may be launched by continuing to the water at the end of the road bed. See use guidelines and a map for the Lake Berryessa Wildlife Area.

East Shore South

The foot entrance (labelled E14 on the entrance) near the south end of the gravel road along the East Shore may be used as a paddle craft launch point. The boat must be lifted over the foot entrance and then carried or rolled on a cart down the wide trail to the water. See use guidelines and a map for the Lake Berryessa Wildlife Area.

Resorts

All seven resorts on Lake Berryessa offer access to the water and boat launching. There is a day use fee and may also be a launch fee. A Bureau of Reclamation map shows the locations of the resorts.

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