Lake Berryessa Re-Opens After Shutdown

BAY CITY NEWS SERVICE contributed to this story.

For the first time in more than two weeks, Napa Valley and other Bay Area residents and tourists will be able to return to Lake Berryessa and its recreational pursuits.

The lake and other popular Bay Area destinations are among more than 400 national parks and monuments that have been off-limits to the public since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

With the federal government re-opening Thursday, day-use sites, a visitor center, trails and boat launches at Lake Berryessa that are operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation opened to the public, according to Lake Berryessa News.com.

The federal government’s closure began Oct. 1 and led to the facilities and areas at the lake being shuttered, Lake Berryessa News reported.

Recreation areas operated under short-term concession contracts — Markley Cove, Pleasure Cove, Steele Canyon, Putah Canyon and Spanish Flat — remained open through the shutdown.

Elsewhere park workers at other Bay Area locations such as Alcatraz, Muir Woods and the Golden Gate Recreational Area  returned to work Thursday after a congressional vote this evening that approved a deal to end the shutdown and prevent the federal government from defaulting on its financial obligations.

"After a 17-day shutdown, Congress has reached a short-term budget resolution that re-opens the federal government, including our 401 national parks and monuments," National Parks Conservation Association Acting President Theresa Pierno said in a statement Wednesday night.

"We are grateful that the dedicated men and women of the National Park Service can return to their jobs serving the American public as stewards of some of America's most spectacular lands and significant historic sites," she said.

National parks have officially reopened as of Wednesday night and Alcatraz Cruises, the official government concessioner for tours of the historic island, announced it would resume normal trips to Alcatraz Island beginning 8:45 a.m. Thursday

Bay Area residents planning to visit Yosemite National Park this week will be able to check into accommodations or campsites at the park as of noon Thursday, park officials said.