Overview Chowchilla Recreation Day Use Area is located at the beautiful Eastman Lake, surrounded by rugged oak-covered hills. Visitors take advantage of this scenic setting for fishing, boating and hiking. Abundant wildlife in the area includes bobcats, Golden eagles, hawks, Wood ducks and Bald eagles.Recreation With w…
Overview Chowchilla Recreation Day Use Area is located at the beautiful Eastman Lake, surrounded by rugged oak-covered hills. Visitors take advantage of this scenic setting for fishing, boating and hiking. Abundant wildlife in the area includes bobcats, Golden eagles, hawks, Wood ducks and Bald eagles.Recreation With warm summers and mild winters, visitors can take advantage of a range of activities including eight miles of trails available for hikers, mountain bikers or horseback riders. Eastman is the first lake designated by the California Department of Fish and Game as a Trophy Bass Fishery. Crappie, trout and catfish are also popular catches.Facilities The picnic shelter can be reserved on a day to day basis only. Camping overnight is not allowed. The picnic shelter holds up to 100 people. A playground, horseshoe pits, and flush toilets are also available for use.Natural Features Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, Eastman Lake boasts spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The 1,780 surface-acre lake is fed by the Chowchilla River, a tributary of the San Joaquin River. Nearby Attractions The Observation Center is an ideal stopping place to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.
Photos
Chowchilla Group Day Use Site — Morgan BarnesChowchilla Recreation Area Day Use — Morgan Barnes/USACE
How to Get There
50 miles north of Fresno, CA. Take Highway 99 north to Ave 17 east, follow to Road 26 north to Avenue 26 east to Road 29 north. Turn left on Road 29 and travel 8 miles to the park entrance. Follow the signs into the campground.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use
Heading to Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?
No central reservation system listed for Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233701) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?
Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use has 1 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?
50 miles north of Fresno, CA. Take Highway 99 north to Ave 17 east, follow to Road 26 north to Avenue 26 east to Road 29 north. Turn left on Road 29 and travel 8 miles to the park entrance. Follow the signs into the campground.
How do I contact Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?
You can reach the park at phone: 559-689-3255 or email: www.spk.usace.army.mil/eastman.html.
