Central Valley Recreational Lakes

Central Valley Recreational Lakes Overview

Listed below are many of the recreational lakes in the Central Valley that offer boating, fishing, swimming or other activities. These lakes offer boat rentals that can include fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, ski boats, jet-skiis, paddle boards, pontoon boats and pedal boats. Most have boat launch ramps and marinas that provide fuel, food & drink, cafes, fishing tackle and camping supplies. Several offer camping on the lake with some even having boat-in campgrounds. Among those to choose from are the large California Delta situated outside Stockton and offering hundreds of miles of shorline, or the smaller Eastman and Hensley Lakes out of Madera, Central Valley's wine country. Refer to our campgrounds page if you're interested in camping at one of these beautiful lakes.

Central Valley Recreational Lakes
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Lake Natoma - Folsom is located off Highway 50 east of Sacramento. Lake Natoma is a recreation and learning facility operated by Cal State University Sacramento. The lake is open to public use and to CSUS students, staff and alumni for a discount. Lake Natoma features a beach area, picnic tables, barbeques, several docks and classrooms. Boat rentals include canoes, kayaks, hydro bikes, paddleboards, sailboats and windsurf boards. Lessons are available for many boating types including sail, row, kayak, jetski, powerboat and more.

Lake Natoma
Sacramento State Aquatic Center
1901 Hazel Avenue
Gold River, California 95670
(916) 278-2842
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Folsom Lake - Folsom is located east of Sacramento between Interstate 80 and Highway 50. Folsom Lake offers a 12-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Amenities include campgrounds, picnic areas and a marina. Boat rentals are available at several concessions and include fishing boats, jet skis, party boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and more. Fish species include trout, catfish, large and smallmouth bass, blue gill, salmon, kokanee and sturgeon. Boat-in campsites are available.

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
7755 Folsom-Auburn Road
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 988-0205
Map  |   Hotel  |   State Park Website  |   Marina Website  |   Other Ideas

Sacramento Delta - Stockton is a combination of river delta, extuary and bays all intertwined between Vallejo and Stockton. Also known as the California Delta and San Joaquin River Delta, several marinas service delta visitors offering accommodations, restaurants, campgrounds, boat rentals, fishing tackle and more. Popular activities include boating, houseboating, water skiing, fishing and wildlife viewing. Common wildlife includes wild turkey, turtles and river otter. Fish species include striped bass, black bass, blue gill, catfish, flounder, sturgeon, salmon and carp.

Oxbow Marina
100 Oxbow Marina Drive
Isleton, CA 95641
(800) 848-1578
Map  |   Website

Snug Harbor Resort
3356 Snug Harbor Drive
Walnut Grove, CA 95690
(916) 775-1455
Map  |   Website

Spindrift Marina
841 W. Brannan Island Road
Isleton, CA 95641
(916) 777-6041
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

San Luis Reservoir / O'Neill Forebay - Los Banos is located west of Santa Nella and Interstate 5, off Highway 152. The San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area comprises three lakes; San Luis Reservoir, O'Neill Forebay and Los Banos Creek Reservoir. Activities include boating, water skiing, wind surfing, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking and picnicking.

San Luis Reservoir
31426 Gonzaga Road
Gustine, CA 95322
(209) 826-1197
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Camanche - Ione is located east of Lodi between Highways 12 and 88. Lake Camanche offers a 7-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. Amenities include campgrounds, picnic areas, marinas, tennis courts, basketball courts and volleyball courts. Boat rentals and general stores are available at both marinas. Fish species include rainbow trout, large and small mouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, kokanee salmon, crappie, bluegill and sunfish. Nearby attractions include the Masonic Caves, Black Chasm Caverns, Indian Grinding Rocks State Park, Kirkwood Ski Resort and the historic towns of Volcano and Jackson.

Camanche Reservoir
North Shore
2000 Camanche Road
Ione, California 95640
(866) 763-5121
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Tulloch - Jamestown is located east of Oakdale off Highways 120 & 108. Lake Tulluch offers a 8-mile long and narrow lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting and wildlife viewing. Amenities include cabins, campgrounds, picnic areas, general store, restuarant, laundry facilities and a marina. Boat rentals are available at the marina. Fish species include rainbow trout, red-ear sunfish, large mouth bass, channel catfish, and blue gill.

Lake Tulloch
14448 Tulloch Road
Jamestown, CA 95327
(209) 881-0107
Map  |   Call for Reservations  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Woodward Reservoir - Oakdale is located northeast of Modesto off Highways 108 & 120. Woodward Reservoir offers a 2-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, radio control airplane flying and wildlife viewing. Amenities include campgrounds, picnic areas, a marina and radio control airplane field. Boat rentals are available at the marina. Fish species include rainbow trout, red-ear sunfish, large mouth bass, channel catfish, and blue gill.

Woodward Reservoir
14528 26-Mile Road
Oakdale, CA 95361
(209) 525-6750
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Modesto Reservoir - Modesto is located east of Modesto off Highway 132. Modesto Reservoir offers a 2-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, archery, radio control glider airplane flying and wildlife viewing. Amenities include campgrounds, picnic areas, a marina, archery range and radio control glider airplane field. Boat rentals are available at the marina.

Modesto Reservoir
18143 Reservoir Road
Waterford, CA 95386
(209) 525-6750
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Turlock Lake - Turlock is located east of Modesto off Highway 132. Modesto Reservoir offers a 3-mile long lake with 26 miles of shoreline. Activities include boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, camping, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Amenities include campgrounds and picnic areas.

Turlock Lake
22600 Lake Road
La Grange, CA 95329
(209) 874-2056
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Eastman Lake - Madera is located east of Chowcilla off Road 26. Eastman Lake offers a 2-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, sailing, camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. Amenities include campgrounds and picnic areas. Fish species include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Eastman Lake
Road 29
Raymond, CA 93653
(559) 689-3255
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Hensley Lake - Madera is located northeast of Madera off River Road. Hensley Lake offers a 2.5-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, sailing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. Amenities include campgrounds, a swim beach, wildlife area and picnic facilities. Fish species include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Hensley Lake
Road 400
Raymond, CA 93653
(559) 673-5151
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Millerton Lake - Friant is located east of Madera off Road 145. Millerton Lake offers an 8-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, sailing, picnicking, hiking and more. Amenities include campgrounds, a marina and snack bar.

Millerton Lake
19305 Winchell Cove Road
Friant, CA 93626
(559) 822-2264
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Pine Flat Lake - Piedra is located off Highway 180 east of Fresno. Pine Flat Lake offers a 30-mile long lake with activities include fishing, boating, houseboating, swimming, water-skiing and camping. Lake amenities include cabins, a restaurant, general store and marina. Boat rentals include fishing boats, patio boats and houseboats. Fish species include smallmouth bassbass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, rainbow trout and landlocked king salmon.

Pine Flat Lake Marina
30801 E. Sunnyslope Road
Piedra, CA 93649
(559) 787-2506
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Lake Kaweah - Lemon Cove is located east of Visalia off Sierra Drive (Hwy 198). Lake Kaweah offers a 1-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, sailing and picnicking. Amenities include campgrounds, a marina and picnic facilities. Fish species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and rainbow trout.

Lake Kaweah
34443 Sierra Drive
Lemon Cove, CA 93244
(559) 597-2301
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Success Lake - Porterville is located east of Porterville off Poplar Avenue (Hwy 190). Success Lake offers a 1-mile long lake with activities like boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing, sailing and picnicking. Amenities include campgrounds, a marina and picnic facilities. Fish species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and rainbow trout.

Success Lake
29330 Highway 190
Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 784-0215
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area - Taft is located southwest of Bakersfield off Interstate 5. Buena Vista includes Lake Webb and Lake Evans. Activities include fishing, boating, jet-skiing, camping, picnicking and bicycling. Amenities include campgrounds, a playground, concession stands and picnic facilities.

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area
South End of Enos Lane
Tupman, California 93276
(661) 868-7000
Map  |   Hotel  |   Website  |   Other Ideas

Recreational Lakes by Region