Grab your favorite Palo Alto resident and come enjoy the manicured lawns, camping and BBQs, rustic woodsy trails, and fun island at Boronda Lake.

Attractions

• Fishing is permitted with a license on Boronda Lake.
• Canoes can be rented at the lake, May to October.
• There are several hiking trails here that vary a great deal in terms of distance, elevation, and width.
• The huge meadow upon entering the park is fantastic for picnicking.
• Picnic facilities (with barbeques) and a dock occur on both sides of the lake.
• There is a nature center here.
• Towle Campground has 8 reservable campsites from May to October.
• Toyon Trail is a self-guided nature trail that shows off many native plants and includes printed guides at both ends of the trail.
• The island in the lake is great fun for kids – a cute bridge allows access to it, then tiny trails can be explored on it.  Watch out for poison oak, though.
• See deer, mice, rabbits, squirrels, lizards, and snakes here.
• See plenty of fish, dragonflies, and butterflies here, as well as ducks and other birds.
• There are a lot of different wildflowers here, especially in spring.
• There are plenty of events here, including star parties, moonlit hikes, summer campfire programs, natural history and ecology presentations, and guided hikes.
• Dogs allowed on weekdays except holidays.

Limitations

• This park is only open to Palo Alto Residents.  If you are a non-resident, you can be a guest of a Palo Alto resident who is at the park to meet you at the entrance and be with you during your visit.  Park staff limit this to 15 guests, 2 cars maximum.
• Watch out for poison oak!
• Stay on the trail to avoid ticks.
• Dogs not allowed on weekends and holidays.

Access

There is one trail to the lake that is wheel chair accessible, which is a quarter or a third of a mile, that starts at the front of the gate and ends at the dam behind the lake. All others are too narrow.

 

Recommended Routes

Route	Distance	Surface	Transport	Terrain	Facilities	Extras
Chamise Trail	2 (mi)
Fern Loop	1.2 (mi)
Coyote Trail	2.7 (mi)
Panorama Trail	2.3 (mi)
Toyon Trail	2 (mi)
Woodrat Trail	1.8 (mi)
To Boronda Lake and Island	1 (mi)