Lake Yosemite
- Reservoir
- Regional draw
- Merced
Lake Yosemite is a reservoir northeast of Merced, with a county recreation setting along its shore.

The water and surrounding foothill views provide a local outdoor destination distinct from Yosemite National Park farther into the mountains.
Use the county’s current directions to reach the lake recreation area, and confirm seasonal hours, entry fees and activity rules before arriving. Choose a shoreline visit or permitted water activity suited to conditions and your preparation. Check water quality and boating notices, and arrange any reserved facilities separately rather than expecting unrestricted access around the entire reservoir.
Visitor details reviewed October 18, 2026. Check official visitor information for current access, admission, and operating arrangements. View on OpenStreetMap.
Image credit: MR1 / Wikimedia Commons. Original source. CC BY 3.0. Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.