Millerton Lake State Recreation Area

Location: County: Fresno & Madera. Nearest City: Friant. See map 3.

Campsites, facilities: There are 138 sites for tents or RVs up to 31 feet long and two group sites available. Fire grills and picnic tables are provided. Piped water, showers, flush toilets, a sanitary disposal station, and boat ramps are available. Some facilities are wheelchair accessible. Supplies can be purchased in Friant. Leashed pets are permitted.

Reservations, fees: From March 10 through September 10, reserve by phoning 1-800-444-PARK/7275 ($7.50 reservation fee); $12-$16 per night, $1 pet fee.

Contact: Phone the park at 1-209-822-2225, 1-209-822-2332 or FAX 1-209-822-2319.

Millerton Lake SRA
5290 Millerton Road
Friant CA 93626

Operating hours, seasons: Call the park for information; open all year round.

Park Kiosk Hours:

    • Hi Season: 8am-10pm
    • Lo Season: Varies

Directions: From Highway 99 in Madera, drive 22 miles east on Highway 145 (six miles past the intersection with Highway 41) to the campground on the right.

Weather, clothing: The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

Trip notes: Millerton Lake State Recreation Area has over 43 miles of shore land for water sports. Recreation includes swimming, fishing, and boating. The lake was created by construction of the Friant Dam across the San Joaquin River in 1944. The hills surrounding the lake provide good hiking opportunities. Wildlife in the park includes ground squirrels, cottontails, mule deer, badgers, and bald and golden eagles. During winter, the park has special boa tours that view the bald eagles. The park contains the original Millerton County Courthouse, built in 1867. The park's camping facilities include boat camping. As the temperature gauge goes up in the summer, the value of Millerton Lake increases at the same rate. The lake is set at 578 feet elevation in the foothills of the San Joaquin Valley, and the water is like gold here. The campground and recreation area are set on a peninsula along the north shore of the lake; there are sandy beach areas on both sides of the lake with boat ramps available near the campgrounds. It's a big lake, from a narrow lake inlet extending to an expansive main lake body. One of the ironies at Millerton is that when the lake is filled to the brim, the beaches are covered, so ideal conditions are actually when the lake level is down a bit, typically from early summer on.

 

 

 

 

 Where to go Camping

-M-7-

 Miwok Lodge 439