Lafayette Reservoir

Lafayette, CA 94549, USA

Lafayette Reservoir is located off Highway 24 about a mile from BART station in Lafayette. This year-round, day-use area is ideal for hiking, jogging, swimming, boating, and picnicking.

You will rent rowboats and paddle boats. If held atop your vehicle (no diesel engines), private rowboats, canoes, kayaks and small sailboats are allowed. Added conveniences are the launching docks and a small bait store. It will include a regular fishing access fee ($3.00). (Fees here and in other reservoirs of EBMUD bear the amount of stocking fish taken from anglers.)

Families, communities and companies can book picnic areas that accommodate 50 to 200 guests. Most individual barbecues and tables fit smaller parties. Two play areas provide enjoyable fun for kids. The park has toilets and a fishing pier with wheelchair access and adjoining car park.

The average park admission fee is $6.00, and opening hours range from 6:00 a.m. Based on the season, to 9:00 p.m. Discounts are also eligible for veterans and elderly people. Kids A park for children is situated in the east yard. Picnic Picnic tables (125) are available on a first-come, first-served basis; 44 barbecues are given to prepare your favorite outdoor meals. Four community sites are available to book; the Big, Stage and Upper sites host up to 250 people each. The tiny site will accommodate up to 75 people.

Fishing EBMUD plants trout in the autumn, winter and spring months and catfish plants in the summer. Come to the Visitor Center to pick up simple tackle fishing and bait for a line in the water. A permit is required for regular fishing entry. Boating In the Visitor Center hire rowboats, paddle boats and kayaks. If you're taking your own boat, there's a launch area (fees apply) and you'll need to get your boat tested to keep EBMUD waters free from Quagga mosquitoes. Neither gasoline engines nor trailers are allowed.

Hiking Two major trails are in Lafayette Reservoir. The Nature Trail at Lakeside (paved, 2.7 miles) and Rim Trail (unpaved, 4.7 miles). Additionally, 928 acres of open space are accessible for camping, nature watching, photography and enjoying spectacular views. Biking Bikers and people on roller skates, roller blades and scooters are allowed from noon to closing on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from opening to 11:00 on Sundays. On the paved paths and roads along the Lakeside.