[1] Activities in the Lake Pillsbury Recreation Area include powerboating, fishing, swimming, sailing, picnicking, hiking and hang gliding.

Part two of the project was building the dam which created Lake Pillsbury, located 12 miles (19 km) upstream.

The Pillsbury hydroelectric plant is the only one in the north coast region of California operated by PG&E.

The Lake Pillsbury Resort operates a marina with rentals, boat slips and supplies.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for Lake Pillsbury based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in fish caught from this water body.

The toxic chemicals sometimes produced by these algal blooms are referred to as “cyanotoxins.” Exposure to these toxins causes sickness and other severe health effects in people, pets, and livestock.

Those who plan to recreate in or on Lake Pillsbury should look for informational signs posted throughout the county and avoid contact with water that, looks like spilled green or blue-green paint; has surface scums, mats, or films; has a blue or green crust at the shoreline; is discolored or has green-colored streaks; or has greenish globs suspended in the water beneath the surface.

Other nearby recreational opportunities include the Snow Mountain Wilderness located east of Lake Pillsbury.