Outdoors
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Stockton for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Explore, learn, and experience the Cosumnes River Preserve with opportunities for guided walks, paddling, hiking, and nature viewing.
Coyote Point sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Just a few minutes NE of Modesto in the Central Valley. Here, a serene series of small parks are located along the Stanislaus River, providing exciting fishing, rafting, and canoeing opportunities. N of Modesto 10 mi via CA 99.
Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.
New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.
Less than an hour east of Stockton near the historic gold rush towns of the California Mother Lode. This scenic setting in the Sierra Nevada foothills boasts exciting fishing, waterskiing, and hiking.
Acorn Campground is a sunny campground in the brush-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is generally characterized by a warm, dry climate with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 90 degrees.
Oak Knoll Campground sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Recreation Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake.
Glory Hole Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River.
New Melones Dam and Reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - New Melones Unit operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Located 60 miles upstream on the Stanislaus River from the confluence of the San Joaquin River.
The San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve comprises two components located along the salinity gradient of the San Francisco Bay.
Tuttletown Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River.
Recreation at Lake Natoma is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. The Lake was created by Nimbus Dam across the American River.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.
Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office.
Lake Solano Park, Solano Project , is located at the base of coastal foothills at the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and offers an array of recreational opportunities.
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.
The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North and South Forks of the American River. VISIT North Fork American River VISIT South Fork American River Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
The Sly Guard Cabin is less remote than other cabins on the Eldorado National forest and is a great choice for families with children. Sly Guard provides the cabin in the woods experience with the convenience of modern amenities.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Stockton. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Cosumnes River (Bureau of Land Management), about 23 miles north of Stockton as the crow flies. Next are Coyote Point (24 mi) and Stanislaus River Parks (27 mi).
Based on Stockton’s average highs, March–June, August–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.