Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area
🏆🏆🏆 East Bay’s Largest Lake — 750-acre reservoir with 5-mile shoreline trail, camping, and premier bass fishing
Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area surrounds a 750-acre reservoir nestled in the hills east of Livermore in the East Bay. The lake stretches 5 miles through a scenic valley and offers outstanding warm-water fishing (largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, trout), swimming at the sandy East Beach, boating, and a 5-mile loop trail around the lake. The park connects to the 28-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail, making it a gateway to East Bay backcountry.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Livermore, CA (East Bay) |
| Lake | 750 acres, 5 miles long |
| Entry Fee | $8 per vehicle |
| Fishing | Bass, catfish, trout |
| Connection | Ohlone Wilderness Trail (28 mi) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp here?
Yes! The park has developed campgrounds and boat-in campsites on the lake’s shore. Reservations through ReserveCalifornia are recommended, especially for summer weekends.
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Can I backpack from here?
Yes — the Ohlone Wilderness Trail starts at Del Valle and traverses 28 miles through some of the Bay Area’s most remote terrain. You’ll climb 8,000+ feet cumulatively through oak woodland, grassland, and chaparral. A wilderness permit is required. It’s the most challenging multi-day hike in the greater Bay Area.
🎣 Visit Lake Del Valle SRA
750-acre East Bay lake — bass fishing, swimming, camping, and Ohlone Trail gateway.
About Lake Del Valle
Lake Del Valle State Recreation Area features a 5-mile-long reservoir in the golden grass hills of the Livermore Valley — the East Bay’s premier lake recreation destination. The 750-acre lake is one of the most popular swimming, fishing, and boating lakes in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Things to Do
Swimming at the sandy beach, fishing for trout, catfish, and striped bass, kayaking and sailing, and camping (150 sites). The 28-mile Ohlone Wilderness Trail starts here. Windsurfing popular in afternoon winds.
Insider Tips
East Bay’s lake: Lake Del Valle near Livermore is the largest lake in the East Bay — 750 acres of water recreation backed by golden hills. Pro tip: The lake connects to the Ohlone Wilderness Trail — a challenging 28-mile backpacking route through some of the wildest terrain in the San Francisco Bay Area. Striped bass: Del Valle is stocked with trout and supports excellent striped bass fishing — a unique landlocked population.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: Green hills, wildflowers, and trout stocking. Summer: Swimming and boating. Fall: Golden hills and bass fishing. Winter: Trout fishing and quiet hiking.
Wildlife & Nature
Lake Del Valle SRA — in the Livermore Valley — provides a 750-acre reservoir for swimming, boating, fishing, and windsurfing. The lake — surrounded by golden grass-covered hills — supports striped bass, catfish, trout, and largemouth bass. Golden eagles soar over the ridges. Mountain lions inhabit the backcountry. Tarantulas cross the trails in fall.
Nearby Attractions
Livermore — 10 miles north — has 40+ wineries and Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Sunol Regional Wilderness — adjacent — has hiking and “Little Yosemite.” Mission Peak Regional Preserve — nearby — has the famous summit post. Henry W. Coe State Park — 30 miles south — has 87,000 acres.
