MID has taken over Lake Yosemite. Here’s what is changing this spring, summer
As the temperature rises across the Central Valley, Lake Yosemite offers an affordable place to cool down this spring and summer.
The recreation area, owned and operated by the Merced Irrigation District, has gotten updated signage and a new fee schedule after a long-term agreement that allowed the county to manage the lake expired. MID has solicited proposals for long-term management of the recreation facility but will staff the park itself in the meantime.
The man-made lake was built in the 1880s to supply water to Merced and has been open for recreational activities on the water since 1917.
Today, the lake is open for all sorts of activities. There are several sandy beaches for swimming, kayaking or paddleboarding. Boats of all kinds and personal watercraft are also allowed on the lake. Concrete restroom structures are available in multiple locations across the recreation area.
Throughout the park’s grassy areas, there are picnic tables, barbecues, playgrounds and horseshoe pits.
The Padyak Shack will continue to rent kayaks and paddleboards for visitors to the lake. One-hour rentals begin at $15 for a single kayak, and daylong rentals run $60-$80.
For now, the lake isn’t crowded, but Mike Jensen, public and government relations manager for MID, said he expects that to change as summer approaches.
The lake opens at 7:30 a.m., when early risers can be spotted fishing from the bank and piers. All visitors without special permitting must leave by 11 p.m., and the gates close at 11:30 p.m.
Under the new management, prices to visit the lake have changed. While the prices have gone up, passes now grant access to nearby Lake McClure and Lake McSwain recreation areas.
A daily pass costs $10, with an additional $9 fee for boats and trailers. An annual pass costs $125, and an annual boat or trailer pass costs $100. Passes can be transferred between vehicles online, through the Yodel app or website.
Jensen encouraged visitors to purchase passes online ahead of time in order to speed up park entry.
