Can you reserve a site at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?

Yes, Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.

Are pets allowed at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?

Yes, pets are allowed at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use.

Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use, California — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Chowchilla Recreation Day Use Area is located at the beautiful Eastman Lake, surrounded by rugged oak-covered hills. Visitors take advantage of this scenic setting for fishing, boating and hiking. Abundant wildlife in the area includes bobcats, Golden eagles, hawks, Wood ducks and Bald eagles.

Recreation

With warm summers and mild winters, visitors can take advantage of a range of activities including eight miles of trails available for hikers, mountain bikers or horseback riders.

Eastman is the first lake designated by the California Department of Fish and Game as a Trophy Bass Fishery. Crappie, trout and catfish are also popular catches.

Facilities

The picnic shelter can be reserved on a day to day basis only. Camping overnight is not allowed. The picnic shelter holds up to 100 people. A playground, horseshoe pits, and flush toilets are also available for use.

Natural Features

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, Eastman Lake boasts spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The 1,780 surface-acre lake is fed by the Chowchilla River, a tributary of the San Joaquin River.

Nearby Attractions

The Observation Center is an ideal stopping place to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Up to 100 people per site
Loops: CHOW

Site types

1 Group Picnic Area

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use

Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 10:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
A	CHOW	Group Picnic Area	—	Paved	—	100	🐾

Getting there

50 miles north of Fresno, CA. Take Highway 99 north to Ave 17 east, follow to Road 26 north to Avenue 26 east to Road 29 north. Turn left on Road 29 and travel 8 miles to the park entrance. Follow the signs into the campground.

37.22500, -119.98306 · 37°13'30.0"N 119°58'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	2.6	2.3	2.3	1.1	0.6	0.2	0.1	0.0	0.1	0.9	1.0	2.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use

Can you reserve a site at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?: Yes, Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use have?: 1 site.
Are pets allowed at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use?: Yes, pets are allowed at Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use.
Does Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use have hookups?: Electric, Water.

Camping near Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use

Codorniz Recreation Area Campground 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wildcat Recreation Area Campground 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Wildcat Equestrian Area 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hidden View 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Buck Ridge 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Crane Valley 23.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Recreation Point 23.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Forks Campground (Sierra) 23.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lupine 24.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cedar Bluff 24.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Spring Cove 24.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Jerseydale Campground 23.5 mi · Campground

Contact

Phone 559-689-3255
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-03.

Chowchilla Recreation Area Day Use