The swimming beach on the main lake and a refreshment stand are open on weekends in spring and fall and daily in summer.

[1] The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for fish caught in the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species.

[2] Lake water at Shadow Cliffs Beach is tested for bacterial levels weekly during April through October and twice a month from November to March.

EBRP planned to treat the lake with an oxidizing agent and "direct geese away from the swim area" in an attempt to lower the levels.

[4] As of October 2016, EBRPD requires that all motorized and paddle boats entering Shadow Cliffs Lake be inspected for quagga mussels.