Los Vaqueros Reservoir

The Los Vaqueros Reservoir area stores up to 100,000 acre-feet of water and provides water to the district. The reservoir is surrounded by 20,000 acres of watershed property and offers 55 miles of hiking trails and a variety of other recreational activities. The area is open year-round and the John Muir Interpretive Center on the site is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday. The center features a variety of exhibits that educate visitors about the use of the reservoir and the beauty of the land. Year-round educational programs for area students and schools are also available. Visitors to the watershed can rent boats and enjoy a day of fishing. The lake is stocked with a dozen types of fishing including largemouth bass and rainbow trout, as well as catfish, sunfish, perch, and salmon. The Marina Center and boat docks features four fishing piers, as well as a number of picnic areas on dry land. Electric boats can be rented at the marina and fishing equipment, food, beverages, ice cream, and snacks are also available. Hikers in the watershed area may see bald eagles, golden eagles, rattlesnakes, red-legged frogs, California salamanders, kit fox, and a variety of grazing livestock. The reservoir and surrounding watershed are a great place to learn about nature and enjoy the California countryside.