Boating in County parks
Enjoy the beauty of South Bay reservoirs and lakes.
County boating lakes and reservoirs
Calero Reservoir
- Power and limited power boating allowed
- Reservoir open year-round
- Click name of park below for park information
Coyote Lake
- Power and limited power boating allowed
- Reservoir open from mid-April to mid-October
- Click name of park below for park information
Stevens Creek Reservoir
- Limited power boating allowed
- Reservoir open from mid-April to mid-October
- Click name of park below for park information
Lexington Reservoir
- Limited power boating allowed
- Reservoir open full time mid-April to mid-October.
- Reservoir open weekends and holidays mid-October to mid-April.
- Click name of park below for park information
General boating rules and policies
- Follow all vessel inspection program policies while enjoying County Parks' waters.
- County of Santa Clara vessel registration declaration form must be completed prior to entering Parks' waters on an annual basis.
- DMV vessel registration and quagga mussel sticker must be current and attached to the vessel before arriving at the park.
- You are required to carry your California Boater Card at all times when operating a vessel on county waterways.
- County Park boating hours start at 8:00am and all vessels must be off waterways thirty (30) minutes before sunset.
- Entrance and vessel inspection fees are required for launch. For boating and vessel fee information visit the boating and vessel fee page. All fees are per day and are subject to change.
- Personal floatation devices (PFDs) must be available on the vessel for each person.
- Children under age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket, at all times
- There is no swimming permitted in any County Parks' waters.
- Reservations are not required but are recommended for power vessels at Calero County Park on weekends and holidays during peak boating season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend) due to increased vessel use. During boating season visit gooutsideandplay.org to book a reservation or call (408) 355-2201 during normal business house for more information.
- For a complete list of rules visit the boating rules page.
Registration Information Inspection Information Boating Rules
Non-boating County reservoirs and lakes
The following reservoirs and bodies of water in Santa Clara County are not permitted to have water recreation.
- Almaden
- Chesbro
- Sandy Wool
- Cottonwood
- Grant
- Guadalupe
- Uvas
Vasona County Park does not allow personal vessels on the water. Vasona boating is provided by LGS Recreation, for more information visit LGS Recreation Vasona boating page.
Alviso Marina County Park is the primary access in Santa Clara County for vessel owners to launch into San Francisco Bay. Any launch in non-county waters require a vessel inspection before launch in limited power and power boating waters.