"Pretty spot to look at water" This park is very close to the start of the California Aqueduct. You can't legally get much closer to the actual start, which is a few miles away. It's incredibly windy here, so keep that in mind. Today, I traveled the bike trail--not particularly fascinating, except you're getting a good look at the water. The park has one primitive bathroom in a large parking lot. Probably anglers find this park attractive. read more

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I love Bethany Reservoir it's like one of those hidden gems that a few people know about. It's never overcrowded, there's always a place to park. I haven't ran into any Riff Raff / foolishness coming to this location. It's a great opportunity to ride your bike or take a long walk down the aqueduct. This was a fun family outing for me and my family. There were people bank fishing and in boats. There is no shade, so keep that in mind for summer. Its paved for bikes or skating (careful for rocks). read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

This was a great place to walk and enjoy the sunshine and evening breeze. It was quiet, peaceful and not crowded at all. Loved it!

If you're looking for somewhere to fish nearby, it's worth giving Bethany a shot. Since it's bumped up next to the Altamont you may experience heavy winds and less favorable fishing conditions if you don't time your trip early enough in the day. We stopped in for just a few hours on Sunday afternoon. We didn't catch anything and didn't stay long because of the winds picking up. I hear the best fishing is in areas that you would need to bike to, but they open the gates every so often and you can drive back to some better fishing locations. Overall, I appreciated that it was a clean spot to throw some poles in and scenic enough to still enjoy a nice sunset. read more

This place is great if you can catch it on a day that isn't windy - GOOD LUCK! We came here with the intention of kayaking, which was okay but with the wind we stayed busy. Seems to be more of a fishing spot than anything. Not good for swimming - too many loose hooks for the kiddos to have fun without getting hurt. read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Beachy vibes - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

Very pretty spot. Don't understand why the gate was closed (due to covid) and I had to walk .5 mile to to top... I parked off the side of the road... where EVERYONE ELSE parked and we all walked up holding hands!! I'm kidding but we did park together of the side of the road and walked up NOT holding holds. Did I say it was a pretty place and a good place to fish when there's not 20mph winds! read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

I went fishing with my Dad on a super hot day; 100°. This spot seems secluded and pretty close to Lazy Marina. Since it was our first time there, we had no idea it was a self registration. We turned the right as we entered the spot, and found an area to our left but decided to drive further down the road. That area was definitely better. It had about 3 shaded picnic tables along with a bathroom, which was probably a pit. All the garbage bins were full to the top, and since it was full, trash were left behind near the water. Fishing was definitely a better experience there than other places I've gone to. True story: right as my bait touched the water, I immediately caught a blue gill; too good to be true. Decided to cast my line out to the same spot and caught another! It was definitely fun. A group a couple of feet away from us simultaneously caught larger fish. This is definitely a spot I'll go back to to go fishing. read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

Nice looking reservoir with a boat dock, launch and 2 covered areas for grilling. Outdoor bathroom leaves much to be desired. People were grilling, fishing, boating and walking along the reservoir. Nice open space, not too crowded. *Open from 7am to Sunset *Dogs do not have to be leashed *Parking $5 *Boat use fee $5 Driving in to the parking lot there is a sign that reads: Fee Area Self Registration Required. I never found a place to put the money and didnt spend a lot of time checking. From the State Parks website:Located in the northernmost part of the San Joaquin Valley, Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area is a popular place for water-oriented recreation, especially fishing and windsurfing. It also features a bike trail (along the California Aqueduct Bikeway) - and many windmills. It is also the northern terminus of the California Aqueduct. read more

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My dad went here on Saturday to go catfishing. And to our surprise, no water. Not enough water to launch our small boat. So, it was a day on the banks. And no fishing. Apparently, They opened the reservoir to let water out. Check ahead of time is my advise. read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Couldn't launch boat today... - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

My car window was smashed yesterday and wallet stolen. Very sad I loved this place. Police wouldn't even come out and do a report

A friend of mine and I came here to take the dogs for a swim & walk. 1st time because I've never heard of the place. I found the reservoir on a dog walk site. The walk trail is flat, simple, just gravel. If your going to take the doggies for a walk & swim; you'll find few places the doggies can use to get to the reservoir to swim easily. Otherwise, the doggies have to climb down some rocks. The walk is 3.4miles to and back. Reservoir was clean and higher than I thought it would be. I went at the end of February 2014. There is a boat launch in the front and bathrooms. I really like that there are a couple of different picnic areas. One closer to the entrance of the boat launch and another over looking the reservoir. I loved that it wasn't crowded at all. About three other people and doesn't look like it's used as often as some of the reservoirs. About the location, the address on the yelp leads you to a gate on the road that doesn't allow for entrance. Use the address to get u close and then continue going forward on the road and your see a sign that says Bethany Reservoir to the left. Follow the one car road all the way up to the parking lot. read more

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It's a nice place to go for a walk or do BBQ, you can even bring your jet ski and have some fun on the water. I really spent a great time with my family and I absolutely will come back. read more

Bethany Reservoir State Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Byron, California

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I give this place three stars because it's Beautiful and was a nice place to go walking. The issue is I'm not from the area and we had no idea so many ticks were there. I brought my dogs and found several ticks on both of them. Spotted a tick on my white dog right away. My other dog is a border collie with long hair and I checked her as soon as we got home. She had a total of five ticks on her. The gravel path was also very tough on her feet and tore up her paws. Dog owners beware not the best place to walk your dogs. Otherwise a great place with beautiful scenery. read more

It was strangely loud here, but it was a great place for a walk with the dogs! It was very eerie on the evening we went, but it made for a fun experience. We did see a skunk, so watch out for that. read more

50+ floating dead white bass this morning. Yikes. Very disconcerting. Still, a dozen teenagers kayaking and a handful of people fishing. No personnel on duty and way way way too much litter everywhere. read more

I just went today(Oct 23, 2013) to see how the lake looks like. The water looks clean better than San Luis at I-5/152. I am planning to bring my standup Jet Ski next time but I am not sure if allowed. No sign anywhere, No sign of speed limit. Self pay. read more

Looks like a great fishing spot but small. Not much for jetskismore of a fishing spot

A gem! Nice place with water, picnic area, restroom and walkway for dogs and visitors.

Nice picnic area, Fishing seems so so with small blue gill gotten with worms Entrance fee is $10, ranger was there to collect today and another ranger at the boat ramp too today. read more

Nice and peaceful. Went there for first time on a Sunday to read a book. Was very quiet.

The bathroom was awful. Arrived early in the morning and the bathrooms were disgusting. There was no toilet paper and it looked and smelled like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. There was no park ranger seen throughout the entire day and the already full garbage cans were never emptied the entire day. The waterline/banks were full of plant life with noway to reel your line in without getting stuck and donating your fish hooks and weights to the water. This rating is completely based on bank fishing, possibly a boat situation would be different. read more

Went fishing at Bethany Reservoir January 17, 2014 the rates are $7.00 for the vehicle, and $10.00 to launch your boat, the boat launching facility is fine, but the water was so murky that you couldn't see your bait or lure one foot down. Tried for crappie, bluegill and bass with no hits or bites, might be fine when the water is clear, and I see why the speed limit is 5 mph as it can go from 30 ft. deep to 4 ft. very quickly. read more