Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area adventure.
Welcome to the largest offstream reservoir in the United States.
San Luis Reservoir, in western San Joaquin Valley, has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts. It is one of the largest bodies of water in California, after all. BYOB (bring your own boat) to traverse the three lakes in the reservoir system.
If you love air-powered travel, board sailing and sailboating are very popular here. Just watch the wind warning lights at boat ramps. When high winds hit, boats may have trouble on the water.
Swimming is only allowed at North Beach. Keep this in mind when summer temperatures here average 90 degrees and occasionally exceed 100. Even in winter, this place stays warm as temperatures seldom drop below freezing.
As such, all four campgrounds on the reservoir stay open all year. Basalt Campground is the most popular because it's closest to the actual reservoir. Rustic campsites and RV spots have shade trees to make summer camping more tolerable. San Luis Creek Campground has very little shade, but it has shoreline sites next to the water.
The best time to visit San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural beauty is at its peak. Summer offers warm conditions perfect for water activities, though it can be busy. Winter may present closures due to weather, so always check ahead.