Trail or Park of the Week: Lake Yosemite Regional Park

For parks near Merced this week, the pick is Lake Yosemite Regional Park, the day-use lake park on the northeast edge of Merced run by Merced Irrigation District. October is its best season: cool mornings make the flat 3.5-mile loop around the lake genuinely pleasant, the cottonwoods and oaks along the shore turn gold, and the summer crowds are gone from the beaches and picnic lawns.

Lake Yosemite sits at 5714 North Lake Road in Merced, about 5 miles northeast of downtown, a roughly 10-minute drive from the city center and an easy trip from Winton, Livingston, and Atwater. The man-made lake covers roughly 500 acres, and since February 2026 the Merced Irrigation District has managed recreation here after more than 50 years of county operation. Gates open at 7:30 a.m. and close one hour after sunset, and the daily vehicle entry fee is $10. If you missed the wider nature calendar, this week's Seasonal Nature Report covers the fall foliage building across the county and the Sierra foothills.

Parks Near Merced: This Week's Pick

What makes Lake Yosemite worth a fall visit is the combination of water and easy walking in one place. The lakeside loop circles the water with near-constant views, and October light turns the cottonwoods and valley oaks along the shore amber in the morning and at sunset. Fishermen work the shoreline with a valid license, kayaks and paddleboards come out of the rental shed on warm afternoons, and the picnic lawns near the main gate fill slowly on weekdays. It is the green-space anchor of Merced, used by the whole county, and it never feels crowded in October.

Trail Details: The Lake Yosemite Loop

The Lake Yosemite Loop is an easy, roughly 3.5-mile multi-use loop around the lake. Third-party trail services such as AllTrails rate it easy and list about 59 feet of total elevation gain, with most walkers finishing in 1 to 1.5 hours at a casual pace. The route is a loop, so there is no turnaround point to plan around, and it is used by walkers, joggers, and cyclists alike. Parts of the loop have limited shade, which matters on warm days but barely registers in October mornings. Note that dogs are not allowed on the loop or in the park, so leave pets at home or choose a different outing for them.

Amenities

The park is a full day-use facility. Expect flush restrooms, drinking fountains, children's playgrounds, and day-use picnic areas with tables, barbecue grills, and horseshoe pits, plus beach volleyball courts and a pavilion. Two boat launch ramps with ramp parking serve trailered boats, and kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the lake. There is a designated swim beach and sandy areas along the shore for warm-season swimming. Fishing is year-round with a valid California fishing license, and a secondary fishing access point sits at the end of Old Lake Road. Dogs are not allowed in the recreation area, and there is no overnight camping.

Parking and Getting There

Parking is on-site at 5714 North Lake Road, with lots serving the main gate, the day-use picnic areas, and the boat ramp; the $10 daily vehicle entry fee covers your car for the day. From downtown Merced, take G Street north, which becomes Lake Road, and continue to the park entrance; from Highway 99 or Highway 99 Alternate, follow the signs to North Lake Road. The drive from the university area is about 10 minutes, and from Atwater or Livingston roughly 15 to 20 minutes. On weekend afternoons in good weather, the main gate lot fills earlier, so arrive by mid-morning.

Best Time to Go

In October, go early. The gates open at 7:30 a.m., the air is cool, the light is golden, and the lake is glassy before the afternoon breeze. Weekday mornings are the calmest, with plenty of easy parking and a quiet loop. Late afternoon is the other good window for the walk, with warm light on the water before the one-hour-after-sunset gate close. Midday October heat is usually mild, but the open portions of the loop have little shade, so carry water. For the water-season calendar across the county, this week's Lake & Water Activities guide covers kayak rentals here, plus Lake McSwain, Lake McClure, the Merced River at Briceburg, and Hensley Lake.

Map and Official Links

The official Merced Irrigation District page for Lake Yosemite posts current hours, the fee schedule, rental and reservation details, and alerts. For turn-by-turn directions, use the Google Maps listing for Lake Yosemite Regional Park. Both open in a new tab. Reservations and questions can go to the district at parks@mercedid.org or (855) 800-2267.

Past Picks

Week of October 8: Merced National Wildlife Refuge, the free refuge about 12 miles southwest of Merced with a 5-mile auto tour, two easy 1-mile walking loops, and sandhill cranes arriving through the fall. Each week's pick is archived here, so you can build a year-round list of parks and trails across Merced County and the nearby Sierra foothills. These public lands are open to everyone, and Monica offers equal service to all.

Enjoy the outdoors, Merced. And when you are ready to talk about your home, Monica is here: schedule a free consultation with Monica Franks, The Seller's Agent, and learn more about Monica's approach on her about page.