Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Overview

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument encompasses 344,476 acres of some of northern California's most scenic and biologically diverse landscapes, spanning from rolling oak-studded hillsides to steep creek canyons with peaks reaching over 7,000 feet. Originally designated by President Obama in July 2015, the monument was expanded by 13,696 acres in May 2024 by President Biden to include Molok Luyuk (Condor Ridge), an 11-mile ridgeline. The monument is jointly managed by the BLM (147,262 acres) and U.S. Forest Service (197,214 acres). It offers diverse recreation including hiking, Cache Creek whitewater rafting, OHV use at Knoxville Recreation Area, primitive camping, hunting, and mountain biking. The area is known for its unique serpentine soils that support specially adapted plant communities. Three wilderness areas are within or adjacent to the monument: Cache Creek Wilderness (centered on a 17-mile stretch of Cache Creek), Cedar Roughs Wilderness (accessible only by boat, no developed facilities), and Yuki Wilderness (adjacent to the northern boundary). The monument is open year-round but may be subject to seasonal fire restrictions. Note that a current government shutdown may affect website updates and agency responsiveness. Access can be challenging in some areas due to surrounding private lands—consult current maps and field offices for route planning.