County of Fresno wishes to remind residents and park patrons that swimming in the river is not recommended while water releases are occurring. The water flows are much higher and result in faster currents. Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Lost Lake Recreation Area is available for day use and camping.
On the San Joaquin River, two miles below Friant Dam and the town of Friant, Lost Lake Recreation Area is 19 miles northeast of Fresno. The primitive nature study area and 38 acre lake make Lost Lake one of the most popular County parks.
Lost Lake Recreation are provides individuals, groups, students, scouts, and families with multiple features and activities. These include reserved group picnic areas, softball field, volleyball courts, hiking trails, nature study area and trail, bird watching, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and playgrounds. Restrooms and picnic shelters are provided in the day use area for the public.
The Campground at Lost Lake Recreation Area provides for tent, auto, and motorhome camping. Each of the 37 campsites have picnic tables and campfire rings. Water and Restrooms are provided adjacent to the campsites. Each campsite is accessible for vehicles up to 34' long. We feature two ADA compliant campsites that are reserved for people with disabilities.
If you would like to review, here is the Lost Lake Master Plan(PDF, 49MB).
If you would like to volunteer at Lost Lake Park you can contact the Friends of Lost Lake Park.
Park Hours
Winter Hours: October 1 - March 31 from 7 AM to 7 PM
Summer Hours: April 1 - September 30 from 7 AM to 10 PM
(Note: When Campground is open, All campers must check-in prior to close of park)
Vehicle Entrance Fees
All vehicles must pay an entrance fee, even if the party has a camping reservation: Entrance fees at all developed Parks is $5 per vehicle.
Annual passes are available for $40 per year and can be purchased at Fresno County Resources Division: 2220 Tulare Street, 6th Floor, Fresno, CA 93721. Telephone (559) 600-3004
Camping Reservations and Rates
Please call Parks at (559) 600-3004 to make group campsite reservation or for more information. No reservations for single campsites. All single campsites are first come, first serve:
Rates (Effective 5/18/2015)
- $25 per night per single campsite (price includes 1st vehicle entry fee)
- $9 per night for seniors (age 62 and over, ID required, price includes 1st vehicle entry fee)
- $11 per night for Disabled Veterans (valid ID, adjudication letter, Dept. of Defense Form 214 required, price includes 1st vehicle entry fee)
- $200 per night for group campsite with a 10 vehicle minimum (Plus $100 refundable cleaning deposit)
(Note: All campers must check-in prior to close of park)
Rules, Regulations and Permits
Location
Directions
Located 19 miles north of Fresno below Friant Dam. North on Highway 41 to the Friant Road exit. Proceed east on Friant Road past Woodward Park, for approximately 12 miles to Lost Lake. The entrance to the Park is on the left before the town of Friant. Once inside the Park, picnic areas are to the left and the campground is to the right.
Address
16385 N. Friant Road.
Friant, CA 93626
History
The land that today makes up the Lost Lake Recreation Area was once the ancestral home of the Wakichi Band of Yokuts. Over 300 documented grinding holes have been found throughout Lost Lake Recreation Area. Numerous Native American ceremonies are held throughout the year at Lost Lake to respect and honor local tribes.
In 1852, Charles Converse established the Converse Ferry near the north end of the present campground. Converse would go on to design and construct the first Fresno County Courthouse that is located at Millerton Lake. Converse Ferry would change names several times before being named the community of Friant.
The term "Lost Lake" is due to the creation of a gravel pit in the late 1930s as a result of quarrying materials for the construction of Friant Dam. While quarrying rock and cement for Friant Dam, about 357 pounds of gold was found in Lost Lake valued at $200,000. Today the same amount of gold would value at $7.36 million.
In 1956, the County of Fresno purchased 248 acres from the Bureau of Land Management to create Lost Lake Recreation Area. In 1959, the County of Fresno leased an additional 78 acres from the State of California State Wildlife Conservation Board to expand the fishing and day use area and bring the total acreage to 326 acres. On March 26,1961, Lost Lake Recreation Area was dedicated and formally open to the public. Originally a fishing and day use area, the campground planning began in 1974 however construction did not begin until 1980. In 1981, at a cost of $462,000, The Campground at Lost Lake Recreation Area opened to the public.
The Campground at Lost Lake Recreation Area was closed in September 2014 for improvements and upgrades. A $1.4 million grant was provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board utilizing Prop 40 funds via recommendations from the San Joaquin River Conservancy. The project came in under budget by approximately $150,000 and the County of Fresno contributed over $100,000 of in-kind labor and materials.
Mailing Address:
County of Fresno Resources Division
2220 Tulare Street, 6th Floor, Fresno, CA 93721
Tel: (559) 600-3004
FAX: (559) 600-4552
parks@fresnocountyca.gov