Top 7 Lakes around Gilroy

The lakes around Gilroy are primarily reservoirs and their associated county parks, offering diverse recreational opportunities and natural settings. These include large reservoirs like Coyote Lake, Uvas Reservoir, Chesbro Reservoir, and Anderson Lake.

For power boating, jet-skiing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding, Coyote Lake and Anderson Lake are excellent choices. Coyote Lake also allows sailing, canoeing, and kayaking, though boating is closed from mid-October to mid-April. At Chesbro Reservoir, you can enjoy non-motorized boating like sailboats and kayaks.

Yes, several lakes offer great fishing. Coyote Lake is known for its 'world-class' population of black bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, and Eurasian carp. Anderson Lake permits year-round fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, sunfish, and catfish. Chesbro Reservoir allows fishing for trout, black bass, largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Limited catch-and-release fishing is also available at Uvas Reservoir.

Many lakes around Gilroy are family-friendly. Uvas Reservoir County Park is praised for its serene atmosphere, offering shaded trails and designated picnic areas. Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park has numerous family picnic sites, BBQ facilities, and a campground. Anderson Lake County Park also provides picnic areas with tables and barbecue grills, some along the shoreline.

Absolutely! Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park boasts over 33 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and off-road biking. Uvas Reservoir County Park offers easy to moderate shaded trails suitable for walking and hiking. Anderson Lake County Park features a network of trails for hiking, running, bicycling, and horseback riding, including a 15-mile paved trail along Coyote Creek Parkway. For more hiking options, check out the easy hikes around Gilroy guide.

Yes, Uvas Reservoir County Park is dog-friendly, though dogs must be leashed. Many of the trails in the county parks surrounding the lakes, such as those at Coyote Lake and Anderson Lake, also welcome leashed dogs.

The lakes and their surrounding parks are rich in wildlife. At Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park, you can spot diverse waterfowl, deer, wild boar, and various bird species. The visitor center also features exhibits of local wildlife, including live reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Anderson Lake County Park is also great for wildlife viewing, with various bird species, deer, and other animals.

Yes, Coyote Lake - Harvey Bear Ranch County Park offers a campground with RV and tent sites. For more information on camping in the area, you can visit visitgilroy.com.

Coyote Lake Overlook provides stunning views of Coyote Lake. You can also find beautiful views of Uvas Reservoir from various points, including View of Uvas Reservoir. The expansive oak forests and ridgelines at Coyote Lake also offer scenic vistas of the southern Santa Clara Valley.

Uvas Reservoir County Park is known for its serene atmosphere, offering opportunities for hiking on shaded trails, picnicking in scenic areas, and limited catch-and-release fishing. It's a great spot for peaceful walks and wildlife viewing, and it's also dog-friendly (dogs must be leashed). Boating and swimming are not permitted.

No, swimming is generally not permitted in the reservoirs around Gilroy. This includes Coyote Lake, Uvas Reservoir, Chesbro Reservoir, and Anderson Lake, primarily due to their function as water supply sources.

There are several cycling routes near the lakes. For example, you can find routes like the 'Gaviota Trail – View of the Coyote Reservoir loop' or the 'Chesbro Reservoir County Park loop'. You can explore more options in the Cycling around Gilroy guide.