How much does it cost to launch at Englebright Lake?

Day-use parking and launching is $10 per vehicle or vessel, paid at the kiosk at either launch ramp. Boat-in campsites are $20 and include parking and launching.

Can you waterski on Englebright Lake?

Yes, but only on the lower five miles. The upper four miles are narrow canyon with sharp bends, and counter-clockwise travel is strictly enforced.

Does Skippers Cove Marina sell gas?

Yes. The gas dock has regular, premium and 50:1 premix gas, plus propane and a holding-tank pump-out.

What are Skippers Cove Marina's hours?

The store, gas dock and rentals are open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. Call (530) 432-6302 to confirm.

Skippers Cove Marina, Englebright Lake: Houseboats, Fuel & Launch

Overview

Skippers Cove Marina is the only marina on Englebright Lake, the narrow Yuba River canyon reservoir off State Route 20 between Grass Valley and Yuba City. The lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, and the marina is run by a private operator at 13104 Marina Drive in Smartsville.

What the marina offers

Skippers Cove rents houseboats and party barges year-round, along with ski and fishing boats. The gas dock sells regular and premium gas, 50:1 premix and propane, and it also handles holding-tank pump-outs, a porta-potti dump and potable water. The store carries ice, drinks, snacks, firewood, fishing gear and the basics boaters forget. Showers and laundry serve campers and houseboaters. Store, gas and rentals are open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed from noon to 1 p.m.

Launching and camping

Two launch ramps near the project entrance are open, with a $10 day-use fee per vehicle or vessel paid at the kiosks. Camping around the lake is boat-in only, by reservation on Recreation.gov, at $20 per site including parking and launching.

How boating works here

Englebright is long and winding. Waterskiing and towing inflatables are limited to the lower five miles, because the upper four miles run through narrow canyons with sharp bends. Counter-clockwise travel is strictly enforced.

Getting there & access

By road

Englebright Lake lies off State Route 20 between Grass Valley and Yuba City. The marina is at 13104 Marina Drive, Smartsville.

Launching

Two launch ramps near the project entrance are open. Day use is $10 per vehicle or vessel, paid at the kiosk at either ramp. The Corps lists the Joe Miller ramp as open and the Narrows Recreation Area ramp as closed, so confirm which ramp to use with the Corps at (530) 432-6427 or the camping and launch line, (530) 339-2762.

On the water

Travel counter-clockwise; it's strictly enforced. Waterskiing and towing inflatables are allowed only on the lower five miles. The upper four miles are narrow canyon with sharp bends.

Boat-in camping

All campsites are boat-in only and need a Recreation.gov reservation. Sites are $20, which includes parking and launching. Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is noon, and sites are pack-in/pack-out.

Amenities

Gas dock — Regular, premium and 50:1 premix gas; propane
Pump-out — Holding-tank pump-out, porta-potti dump and potable water at the fuel dock
Houseboat rentals — Year-round
Party barges, ski and fishing boats — Rentals available
Marina store — Ice, drinks, snacks, firewood and fishing gear
Showers and laundry — Token showers and washers/dryers for campers and houseboaters
Launch ramps — Two ramps, $10 day use
Boat-in campsites — Around 24 miles of shoreline, reservation only

Rules & official resources

Common boat service needs here

Houseboat systems

Houseboats live on Englebright year-round. Generators, holding tanks, plumbing and engines need regular service, and the fuel dock's pump-out keeps tanks manageable.

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