Lake Chabot Regional Park, Regional park in Alameda County, United States
Lake Chabot Regional Park is a regional park in the southern Berkeley Hills of Alameda County, California, built around a large reservoir surrounded by wooded hillsides and a broad network of trails. The park has picnic areas, a boat launch, and boat rentals, with several entry points spread along its edges.
The dam that created the lake was built in 1875 to supply water to East Bay communities, and the area remained closed to the public for nearly a century. It opened for recreation in 1966, when fishing and trail access were introduced for the first time.
The park draws anglers and boaters who use the water regularly, and annual fishing competitions show how closely the local community is tied to the lake. Visitors can also take a tour on the Chabot Queen, a small boat that circles the reservoir and offers a different way to see the shoreline.
To fish in the lake, you need a California Fishing License along with a daily permit from the park district. Swimming is not allowed in the reservoir, but boating and trail walking are open throughout the year.
The reservoir is managed by EBMUD as an emergency water backup for the East Bay, which is why swimming is banned even on hot days with a large, open water surface right in front of visitors. Most people who come to walk or fish are unaware that the water they see is part of the region's drinking water supply.
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