How to Visit Lafayette Reservoir in Lafayette, California
- 1). Park your car in the reservoir’s parking lot, when you arrive at the top of the hill and enter the park grounds. There are two types of parking available. One is short-term metered parking for those who come for shorter stays. The other is the more expensive long-term parking available for the whole day. Go through the gate to get to that. You can get annual park passes if you go to the reservoir a lot. There is no camping allowed, so overnight parking is not an option.
- 2). Take a break at one of the picnic or viewing areas in the park. There are some tables down by the water on floating metal piers. You can watch the water and the local wildlife that abounds there. The views are uplifting and peaceful. This is a lovely place to bring a packed lunch or a book if you just want to get away for a few hours. If you want to you can reserve a picnic area for a special event. There is a fee for that service.
- 3). Bring the kids to enjoy the fantasy-like playground area made for children 12 and under. It looks like a wooden castle of sorts and is securely fenced with a charming wooden fence set with personalized, handmade children’s handprint tiles in vibrant colors. Let them run around on the grassy hillside and enjoy the fresh air.
- 4). Take the dog, too. This park allows dogs as long as you keep them on a leash and pick up any little presents they may want to leave behind. The park even provides bags for your disposal at the beginning of the walkway near the parking lots.
- 5). Take a pit stop if you need to because bathrooms are available. These are not your standard bathrooms though, so come prepared. These are very basic bathrooms with no sinks and a seat over a hole. They work, though.
- 6). Bring your scooters, skates, bicycles or roller blades to ride at Lafayette Reservoir, but only on certain days. They are permitted on Sunday mornings until 11 a.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until closing.
- 7). Go fishing at the reservoir for a $4 daily fee. The water is stocked with fresh fish including perch, bass and more.
- 8). Visit Lafayette Reservoir any time you like. It is open every day of the year. It only takes credit card or cash. The exceptions are the annual passes and picnic reservation fees. Checks are accepted for those. Go and explore this hidden treasure. It is a refreshing place to touch nature in the middle of civilization.
