San Luis Reservoir State Recreational Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

Basalt Campground (sites 1-79)

Group Sites

Los Banos Creek  Campground

Medeiros Campground

San Luis Creek Campground

Bird's eye view of the park

San Luis Reservoir SRA

Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los
Banos Creek Reservoir. All are part of the California Water Project and
operated jointly by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the
California Department of Water Resources, and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Office hours; 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed holidays.
Facilities open 7 days a week. Good access roads. Camping, boating,
picnicking, and swimming. Regular strong winds make O'Neill Forebay and San
Luis Reservoir an excellent location for boardsailors. Outstanding fishing for
striped bass. Five world record or former world record stripers caught on the
Forebay. Other species available at San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay are
American shad and catfish. Excellent fishing at Los Banos Creek Reservoir for
largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, and trout. A 5-miles-per-hour
speed limit at Los Banos Creek; no high-speed boating activities. Managed by
the California Department of Water Resources, the Romero Visitor Center
contains State water project and Central Valley project exhibits, as well as a
film on California water resources.

Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.  All are part of the California Water Project and operated jointly by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, the California Department of Water Resources, and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Office hours; 8:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday through Friday.  Closed holidays.  Facilities open 7 days a week.  Good access roads.   Camping, boating, picnicking, and swimming.  Regular strong winds make O'Neill Forebay and San Luis Reservoir an excellent location for boardsailors.  Outstanding fishing for striped bass.  Five world record or former world record stripers caught on the Forebay.  Other species available at San Luis Reservoir and O'Neill Forebay are American shad and catfish.  Excellent fishing at Los Banos Creek Reservoir for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, and trout.  A 5-miles-per-hour speed limit at Los Banos Creek; no high-speed boating activities.  Managed by the California Department of Water Resources, the Romero Visitor Center contains State water project and Central Valley project exhibits, as well as a film on California water resources.

San Luis Reservoir

O'Neill Dam and Forebay are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis
Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature
of the Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit. The
reservoir has a surface area of 2,250 acres and 14 miles of shoreline. The
Park includes boating, camping, picnic facilities, fishing, hiking, and serves
as a major family destination for many in the west central valley. Currently
an expansion of the Maderos boat ramp facilities is underway, which will
improve boat access and day use facilities.

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca82903.htm" rel="nofollow">O'Neill Dam and Forebay</a> are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature of the <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/casanluis.html" rel="nofollow">Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit</a>. The reservoir has a surface area of 2,250 acres and 14 miles of shoreline. The Park includes boating, camping, picnic facilities, fishing, hiking, and serves as a major family destination for many in the west central valley. Currently an expansion of the Maderos boat ramp facilities is underway, which will improve boat access and day use facilities.

O'Neill Forebay

Pacheco SP

Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share
agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during
the late 1980s and early 1990s. Recreation is managed by the Colorado State
Parks under agreement with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The park can be
reached at 719-378-2020; email sanluis.park@state.co.us . Available fish
species include rainbow trout. There are 51 campsites with complete hookups
and showers are available for your convenience. Enjoy 9 miles of trails and
890 surface acres of water. Fees are charged.

Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Recreation is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Colorado Division of Wildlife.  The park can be reached at 719-378-2020; email sanluis.park@state.co.us . Available fish species include rainbow trout.  There are 51 campsites with complete hookups and showers are available for your convenience.  Enjoy 9 miles of trails and 890 surface acres of water. Fees are charged.

San Luis Lake and State Wildlife Area

The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis
Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the
Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit. The reservoir has 620 water surface
acres and 12 miles of shoreline. The recreation area offers trails following
the Path of the Padres, a boat and hiking trail. The Path leads to the baths
used by the padres of early California. During the spring, guided interpretive
tours are provided on the trail. The reservoir offers day use facilities for
picnic and family activities. Fishing opportunities are available, and the
reservoir is stocked during the fall and winter months with trout. A horse
camp is available and there are equestrian trails for the horse enthusiast.

The <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca10167.htm" rel="nofollow">Los Banos Dam</a> and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/casanluis.html" rel="nofollow">Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit</a>. The reservoir has 620 water surface acres and 12 miles of shoreline. The recreation area offers trails following the Path of the Padres, a boat and hiking trail. The Path leads to the baths used by the padres of early California. During the spring, guided interpretive tours are provided on the trail. The reservoir offers day use facilities for picnic and family activities. Fishing opportunities are available, and the reservoir is stocked during the fall and winter months with trout. A horse camp is available and there are equestrian trails for the horse enthusiast.

Los Banos Reservoir

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of
wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving
population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes.
The refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles,
amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California
tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are
endangered species.  
  
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 under the
Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The first refuge parcel was purchased with
federal Duck Stamp funds to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory
waterfowl. The refuge has grown over the years and today it is comprised of
six contiguous units: San Luis, East Bear Creek, West Bear Creek, Freitas,
Blue Goose, and Kesterson. The eastern portion of the refuge is bisected by
the San Joaquin River.  

The refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large
concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. From autumn
through spring, the wetlands on the refuge come alive as large numbers of
migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds arrive in the San Joaquin
Valley. Here, the wetlands provide plentiful food and shelter, and a critical
wintering area along the Pacific Flyway migration route. The wetlands also
support a wide variety of other animals, including mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, and insects. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before
beginning their journey back north to breeding areas; however, some mallard,
gadwall, and cinnamon teal remain in the area to nest and raise young.  
  
Shorebirds, including species of sandpipers and plovers can be found in the
tens of thousands from autumn through spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long-
billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and western sandpipers can be seen
feeding in shallow seasonal wetlands. Flocks of long-billed curlews are found
using both wetlands and grasslands. More than 25 species of shorebirds have
been documented at the refuge.  
  
The San Luis NWR has played a key role in the recovery of tule elk, a non-
migratory elk subspecies found only in California. Prior to the mid-1800s, an
estimated 500,000 tule elk lived in California. Due to over hunting and loss
of natural habitat, they were nearly driven to extinction by the turn of the
20th century – by some accounts, the population was reduced to as few as 20-30
individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 animals was established in a large enclosure
at refuge and has since thrived. Elk from this herd are periodically relocated
to join other tule elk herds, or establish new ones, throughout California.  
  
Less well-known are the extensive upland habitats found on the refuge. Many of
these habitats are characterized by saline and alkaline conditions in
conjunction with low rainfall and an arid climate that characterize the San
Joaquin Valley. These habitats support a rich botanical community of native
bunchgrasses, native and exotic annual grasses, forbs, and native shrubs.
Trees, such as the valley oak, cottonwood, and willow are found along riparian
corridors. In these areas, visitors might encounter coyotes, desert cottontail
rabbits, ground squirrels, western meadowlarks, yellow-billed magpies, and
loggerhead shrikes, as well as northern harriers, white-tailed kites, and
other raptors coursing over the vegetation.

The refuge is home to the complex’s visitor center and headquarters, which
features an exhibit hall with interactive educational exhibits about wildlife
and habitats and a classroom for conducting environmental education fieldtrips
for visiting schools.  
  
The refuge has three auto tour routes with associated nature trails and
observation platforms from which the public can view and photograph wildlife
and nature. The refuge also allows fishing at designated sites and has a large
waterfowl hunting program.

The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes. The refuge is host to significant assemblages of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and plants; some of which, such as the California tiger salamander, the long-horned fairy shrimp, and San Joaquin kit fox, are endangered species. The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1967 under the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. The first refuge parcel was purchased with federal Duck Stamp funds to serve as inviolate sanctuary for migratory waterfowl. The refuge has grown over the years and today it is comprised of six contiguous units: San Luis, East Bear Creek, West Bear Creek, Freitas, Blue Goose, and Kesterson. The eastern portion of the refuge is bisected by the San Joaquin River.   The refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. From autumn through spring, the wetlands on the refuge come alive as large numbers of migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds arrive in the San Joaquin Valley. Here, the wetlands provide plentiful food and shelter, and a critical wintering area along the Pacific Flyway migration route. The wetlands also support a wide variety of other animals, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Waterfowl generally remain until late March before beginning their journey back north to breeding areas; however, some mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal remain in the area to nest and raise young. Shorebirds, including species of sandpipers and plovers can be found in the tens of thousands from autumn through spring. Large flocks of dunlin, long-billed dowitchers, least sandpipers, and western sandpipers can be seen feeding in shallow seasonal wetlands. Flocks of long-billed curlews are found using both wetlands and grasslands. More than 25 species of shorebirds have been documented at the refuge. The San Luis NWR has played a key role in the recovery of tule elk, a non-migratory elk subspecies found only in California. Prior to the mid-1800s, an estimated 500,000 tule elk lived in California. Due to over hunting and loss of natural habitat, they were nearly driven to extinction by the turn of the 20th century – by some accounts, the population was reduced to as few as 20-30 individuals. In 1974 a herd of 18 animals was established in a large enclosure at refuge and has since thrived. Elk from this herd are periodically relocated to join other tule elk herds, or establish new ones, throughout California. Less well-known are the extensive upland habitats found on the refuge. Many of these habitats are characterized by saline and alkaline conditions in conjunction with low rainfall and an arid climate that characterize the San Joaquin Valley. These habitats support a rich botanical community of native bunchgrasses, native and exotic annual grasses, forbs, and native shrubs. Trees, such as the valley oak, cottonwood, and willow are found along riparian corridors. In these areas, visitors might encounter coyotes, desert cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, western meadowlarks, yellow-billed magpies, and loggerhead shrikes, as well as northern harriers, white-tailed kites, and other raptors coursing over the vegetation. The refuge is home to the complex’s visitor center and headquarters, which features an exhibit hall with interactive educational exhibits about wildlife and habitats and a classroom for conducting environmental education fieldtrips for visiting schools. The refuge has three auto tour routes with associated nature trails and observation platforms from which the public can view and photograph wildlife and nature. The refuge also allows fishing at designated sites and has a large waterfowl hunting program.

San Luis Reservoir SRA

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