Peaceful in the morning, fun and happening places during the day in the weekend. You can go hike in many different directions. Potato chip is a famous hike you can take from here. Staff is super friendly and helpful. read more

I came here awhile back to hike up to Potato Chip Rock as everyone was telling me I should do this hike, so I did. Hike took me a few hours and definitely got a nice workout. Everybody and their grandma knows about Potato Chip Rock so lots of people wanting their photo on the Rock, but I was too impatient and didnt feel like waiting or socialize, so I just hiked there, saw it and came back down. I love this park, the lake is very pretty and soothing to see waterfowl and people enjoying the water. I decided to bike here today and its close to 7 miles away, 15 min by car, and about 40 min by bike. The bike ride is a workout as there are hills both ways, so be prepared for that. I havent biked in awhile but planning to get back into it, so took my MTB out for a spin and it def needs a tune up. I stopped by the lake and sat at some picnic tables that were shaded and had a nice view of the lake and the Lookout Restaurant and got to see a lot of birds too. Was so nice to be able to spend a weekend afternoon here, it was exactly what my soul & body was yearning for! On the weekends, there is a $10 parking fee, and free for Poway residents. I think on the weekdays there is no parking fee. I don't recall paying when I hiked Potato Chip Rock and it was a weekday during the holidays. I was on bike so no fee either. Ill keep this place in mind if I wanna do a 10K run and back next time, people on foot also free. A really nice local lake to get a bit of nature in! I will be back over & over again! read more

Lake Poway Park - My lookout spot in the shade - I saw a good amount of birds too! - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

My mistake for not checking the times..we only walked for 15 minutes since they were closing up, but it was such a beautiful spot! I'd definitely come back for a walk with friends/family (: There's also playground if you're going with kids, and lots of tables and grassy areas for a nice picnic. read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

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This is a remarkable park with a beautiful lake and hills. It's like a painted picture came to life. Really exceeded my expectations because I thought it was just going to be like any ordinary park with a lake. I was completely incorrect. The park was so well maintained big enough for families and friends to come together for picnics gatherings. There are playgrounds for the kids and a dock for those who love fishing. Plenty of trails to stroll around the lake or take a hike around the hills for scenic overlooks. An option for having brunch is available at a small cafe with lake view. It was the highlight of our visit. I'm so glad to came across this park because it made our weekend even more memorable. Totally recommend to visit this park when you are in Poway. read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

It turns out the last time I hiked Potato Chip Rock I started on the opposite end meant primarily for vehicles which translated to a shorter and arguably easier hike. We stopped by this park afterwards, though back then, if I'm not mistaken, entry was free. This time around we started off here as the trailhead. Nowadays, it is a $10 fee to enter unless you are a Poway resident. There are plenty of amenities to help with prep, such as clean restrooms, water fountains, and a mini mart for stocking up on snacks and drinks. This trailhead starts with a stroll on the upper levels above the lake with inclines occurring throughout, sometimes steep though often times gradual. Switchbacks and uneven paths at times made it slightly challenging, but by and large the trail was well maintained. After the glorious chip, which involved waiting in line and helping others take photos, we made our way down with a steady jog. It was a sunny afternoon with plenty of folks carrying around their fishing gear and having a pic-a-nic. read more

Lake Poway Park - Just returned - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

Came here Saturday afternoon around 1 PM for a barbecue. We forgot to make reservations so a few people got there at 6 AM to fish and find an open spot for which worked out well. It was super busy this day because a lot of people were camping or fishing or on the water since it was hot. That being said as soon as we entered, we were able to find a couple spots immediately to the left. But we didn't know though was that you had to pay $10 to enter if you're not a Poway resident which kind of sucked because we didn't know that going in. Im not sure if this is every day thing or just because it was on the weekend. Lots of green you'll see here whether it grass or bushes. There wasn't a lot of trees, so not a lot of shade provided unless you bring your own umbrella or tent. There's a few spots which has built barbeques but probably have to bring your own. unless of course you made reservations ahead of time. The lake was refreshing and gave a nice breeze off of it. And what was nice about it is that you could take a trail which runs right off of it which according to the signs, is labelled as difficult. The lake stars off the trail and it leads you into the mountains. It's a nice mental mark to have to know where you are and how far you have to go in order to get back After the 8 mile loop. Theres a playground there and plenty of restrooms. read more

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Beautiful location for a family picnic. Ample parking and plenty of area to set up for a picnic. There is a children's playground, a tackle shop and the Lookout Restaurant overlooking the lake. This is the hidden gem of Poway. There is a non-residential parking fee of $10 on weekends and holidays. Residents of Poway and active duty military with I.d. are free of charge. Weekdays there is no charge. Take a drive out, grab a bench or picnic table overlooking the lake and unwind. read more

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The Poway Lake Loop hike is perfect for nature lovers who want to enjoy a peaceful, scenic adventure without a high level of physical challenge. You can bring your dog as long as they are on the leash. The terrain is well-maintained paths with occasional inclines and rocky areas. The trail hugs the shoreline for much of the route, providing constant views of the lake. Water reflections of surrounding trees and hills add to the tranquility. Look out for ducks and other birds in the area. There are viewpoints that offer panoramic views of the entire lake. As well as benches and clearings with tables where you can take a break. read more

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Excellent family picnic location. Rangers and site were amazing. Reservation suggested. read more

It's beautiful here! Well maintained landscape with plenty of grass to spread out with picnic benches. There is a path that loops around the entire park that you can ride your skates on or take a leisurely walk. feel like some water activities? they have fishing boats and other aquatic fun to rent. if you get hungry, they have a market nearby this place really lacks for nothing. I will be coming back to go to the hikes. There are several different paths that you can take at this location. if you are a birdwatcher there are beautiful opportunities for photos. read more

Lake Poway Park is a beautiful spot to enjoy the scenic views of the reservoir and surrounding mountainous terrain. We visited in September, which turned out to be a bit hot, but still enjoyable. There is a $10 parking fee to access the park, which is well worth it for the amenities and convenience. The park is also the starting point for the popular Potato Chip Rock hike, which is a 2-3 mile one-way trek or 5-mile round trip. There are other ways to reach Potato Chip Rock, but we opted for the paid parking lot for the added benefits of secure parking, restrooms and a mini-market. Also, you can rent a boat to enjoy the lake, making it a great spot for outdoor activities. read more

Great family place. Beautiful lake, real good party venue. Had a family event there. Everybody had a great time.

Review for SNACK STAND AREA The ice cream prices have more than doubled. Nice that you guys have this stuff by the lake but I've been going here since they opened with new ownership. The ice cream has pretty much doubled which really sucks. Might as well go down the street and grab golden spoon or some specialty dessert places. read more

This is a spacious recreational park with a magnificent view of Lake Poway. We visited there on a Thursday afternoon. It was over 90 degrees but the park has lots of shaded area and quite a few trees around. A slight breeze also helped! The place was reasonably crowed but the park area is huge so it's not too bad. There were plenty of parking spaces. Parking free is $10 for non Poway residents. Inside the park confines are two children's playgrounds, a base ball diamond and picnic areas. Around the lake are fascilities for fishing and boating. On the other side of the lake is mount Woodson with its famous trail and Potato Chip rock. We did not venture there as it is a fairly good distance trail. Overall it's worth the drive to San Diego from Orange County! read more

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After my disappointment with Lake Miramar, my expectations for Lake Poway were rather low.  Boy, was I surprised!  Lake Poway itself is beautiful, and the park around it is a nice place to enjoy an afternoon.  There is a variety of outdoor activities from fishing and boating on the lake to enjoying picnic areas, playgrounds, and relatively easy hiking trails. The City of Poway does a very good job of maintaining the park  Parking is free on weekdays, but there is a $10 parking fee on weekends if you don't live in Poway. Public restrooms are available. read more

Really nice, large and spacious park. One of the things that I could see improving is adding more swings, as there are only two swings for the entire near the remodeled place structure. Children start getting impatient, waiting their turn to swing. read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

One of the best things that Poway has to offer. Great place to celebrate or hangout on the holidays. Great for 4th of July, Mother's Day and Father's Day. You can fish. You can rent a boat. Have a little shop by the pier. Many hiking trails. Access to the potato chip rock hiking trail... the really hiking trail... not that shortcut Ramona way lol. Keep in mind u may need to pay on weekend and holidays if you aren't a Poway resident. Lots of parking. Big park. read more

Very big park with a lot of public facilities. People can do fishing, boating, and picnicking. But the ducks are all gone now!

This is a really nice lake surrounded by beautiful views! Parking: There is a parking lot near the trail and lake that has plenty of spots. Free on weekdays, $10 to enter on weekends for non-Poway residents. Amenities: There are benches and picnic tables along the lake and grass, and a few along the trail as well. Restrooms are surprisingly well-maintained with running water and soap. There is a snack shop that sells various treats and is an asset to have while you're out in the heat. Ambience: Very peaceful. There is no outside noise, it really is a hidden spot for some quiet and time away from the busy city. On the bright side, it's only a mile or two away from the closest grocery store so you're not completely out in the wilderness. read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

My boys have always wanted to fish... something I've never even considered as something worth doing.... Didn't know where to start and BOOM! In comes Lake Poway.... There is a little shop by the lake with the greatest dude behind the counter who is beyond helpful and awesome. He walked us through the types of fish we could catch, what bait to use, where to fish, etc. You can rent fishing poles there... a boat.... It has food and a delightful walking path. Everyone is friendly and awesome- playground and all for all ages. read more

Playground is clean and updated with lots of shades. Bathroom is bit far and a hike to get to. Lakeview is beautiful and parking is easy.

We come here every weekend. Very relaxing and a lot of activities to do around the lake

I've been going to Lake Poway for years for the fishing experience but recently it has been going down hill ,It seems that lake Poway is only interested in meeting financial quotas instead of maintaining the integrity of the lake and maintaining the expectations of the City of Poway , a lot of foreigners have been showing up to lake Poway literally trashing the place and disregarding all the rules applied both in the water ( boating ) and offshore the park rangers/game wardens don't seem to be interested in upholding rules and regulations at all so far every weekend for the past couple months people ( foreigners) are seen playing bumper cars with the boats while other are trying to fish on them ,They are seen riding the shoreline( within 10-15ft ) disrupting those that are just trying to have a relaxing day trying to fish ,On the shoreline those ppl can't seem to control their children and are allowing them to throw rocks near us fishermen and are seen swimming, Us that PAY to have access to the lake are only able to call it in and the employees instead of making rounds around the shoreline just get on the intercom instead of rounding them up and kicking those people out , On top of those yelp review I will also be submitting videos & pictures to the City of Poway and Fish and Game both showing the the disgusting behaviors of those foreigners as well as the incompetence of the employees , Lake Poway you are starting to fail read more

Really lovely lake and park! We stopped by here and purchased a finished rod and took a walk around the lake. It's so serene here, we saw so many people fishing and also cleaning their catch! They replenish the lake with fish often and have a very help schedule :) they also offer boat rentals you can take out! read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

The staff here at lake poway is a complete joke. I would give them 0 stars if I could Here is why... I get to the lake at 6am to get a boat and go fishing with my son. I walk up to the concession to get our permits and boat rental. They tell me that boats will not be rented out today due to high winds so we just get our permit. We get down to the lake and find a spot. Start getting everything setup people crowding in and not much shoreline to fish now. I look at the lake and sure enough I see a boat going out. I call the concession and now they are telling me that they decided to let the boats go out. So I tell them I will pack my stuff up and head over. So I pack up and not longer then 10 minutes after im off the phone with them I am at the boat dock. I walk up to put my stuff down and ask the dockhand if I can leave my gear here while we go to get the rental and he tells me that they are no longer renting boats again. I tell him I just got off the phone with them 10 minutes ago and they said we were good to go. Dockhand says that it is too windy and they wont be letting anyone else go out. I ask if I should wait for the wind to die down he says no and that he will probably not let anyone else out for the rest of the day. As he says that someone else walks down the dock with a rental slip that he just bought from the concession and gives it to the dockhand and he gets him a boat. As he is doing that I see a group of guys set there stuff down by the dock. Walk up to the concession and come back down 2 minutes later with another rental slip. He gets them a boat and sends them on there way. At this point im furious because I was told that we can no longer rent a boat. But 2 groups of people walk right past me and grab a boat... I go up to concession and ask for a boat rental and they tell me they are not renting boats. I explain to them that I had just called and was told that boats are good to go. I packed all of my stuff up and walked over and now they are "not renting" but then 2 groups of people got boats while I was waiting there to get the okay to go out. The lady tells me sorry and that theres nothing she can do. I tell her I would like a refund for my permit since we cant rent a boat and cant go back to my spot because it is taken now. And she started telling me that she cant give me a refund if I started fishing already and I told her we have not started fishing yet and she asked me to prove that lmao. I asked how would you like me to prove it and she replied with plenty of attitude " i dont know " then gave me my money back. Very very frustrating. Dealing with all of that with a 5 year old that is asking why they can go on the boats but we cant. What a great way to spend my day off... time to drive back to el cajon. Dock Staff and concession staff is very unprofessional I do not recommend going here and giving them your business. read more

It's a very nice place. It's suitable for walking and seeing the scenery. It's best to go with a friend. I came here alone before, so I was a little bored. I also forgot to bring headphones. It took nearly three hours. I felt very comfortable after going down the mountain. read more

Lake Poway Park - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

Nice lake to walk, spend time with family, go fishing etc. They have a convenience store on the property. Boats for rental. Nice view. read more

Lake Poway Park - Lake - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

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I mean how can you not give nature 5 stars. I've done the hike around the lake quite a few times, as well is going up to Mt Cowles aka Potato Chip Rock. The views especially around the lake level are really pretty and I always wonder why I haven't yet rented one of those cute self propelled boats or gone fishing. I will note that I have seen dead rattlesnakes on the trails. There are signs posted for those and mountain lions so be careful? Around the lake is hilly with lots of ups and downs but it isn't nearly as treacherous as heading up to the tippy top for Potato Chip Rock. You must pack plenty of water. I drank my entire camel pack and an additional 24 oz water bottle. Be sure to find shady spots along to the way to stop and rest, and on the way down, you're gonna feel it! All in all, a beautiful park, where I always run into nice people and get my step goals. BTW, there are hella Pokémon and Confoundables! read more

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Great place to bring the kids, family, dogs, friends, hang out and enjoy life. Parking is $10 for non poway residents. Boats for rent, very slow motors, very small lake. You can get anything you need to fish with, poles, bait, lures, snacks, and more. The lake is pretty, very calm, clean clear water. No swimming or wading is permitted. Fish cleaning station. Friendly staff, bathrooms with flushing toilets. Beautiful park area that holds concerts certain times of the year. Great family spot to relax and enjoy nature. read more

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This event is for the poway lake summer camping event. OVERLY CROWDED FOR THE SUMMER EVENT. Kids screaming until 11pm. Adults speaking loud and laughing past midnight . QUIET TIME is at 10pm and it was not enforced. Neighbors tents are only a few feet away and made it feel cramped. Neighbors Bbq smoke coming right off the grill only a few feet away. Our child was waking up at midnight because of the loud adults semi-partying a few feet away. **TIP: the ranger says they let in 90 or so families/groups in the event. This is TOO crowded. The ranger says to come in the fall or spring when it is cheaper and they only allow about 30 families/groups. --we will take the ranger's advice. There is ample shade in the park and a concession stand for food and supplies. They just replaced the playground with new equipment and shade for the kids, which is awesome. You can buy food here to feed the ducks, which is a nice thing for kids to do. Park was clean and well maintained. The paddleboat was nice and is fun for 5+ year olds. They have fishing available here. The trails are nice also. The magic/comedy show was entertaining for both adults and children. We found it very enjoyable. Kudos to this entertainer. The event provided smore sandwich kits and a 3 small fire rings. We Appreciated that they individually packed the smore kits into plastic ziplocks. The night hiking event was not so serene--not pleasant. Image 80 adults and kids screaming all together in one huge herd, and with headlamps flashing in your eyes. Everyone was talking and you couldnt hear the ranger speak. -most of the people here are newbie campers and do know to point your head lamp down instead of in front. They didn't know to speak softly so others can enjoy the night hike. And Kids were screaming. -with so much talking and dust flying up and lights constantly flashing in your eyes, we decided to cancel the night hike at the last second (at the start of the trail). -the lead ranger needs a louder bullhorn. -if possible it would be nice to separate a large group into 2 smaller groups if there are more rangers. -the sweeper (caboose ranger) understood our reason for not going and empathized. It was not a not hike that allowed us to enjoy nature....it was a herd of screaming adults and kids. With so many lights, it reduces your night vision and could not enjoy seeing the surroundings. ---unfortunately, this was a so so event. It would be ideal if you can go in the spring/fall instead of the summer where it is overly crowded. The park is still nice and we have been to this park for many years and do recommend others to visit (i do not however recommend the summer camping event) read more

I've been frequenting Lake Poway park on a regular basis since 2001, and my visits there have become an essential part of my weekly routine. I mostly go there to unwind by myself, but have had many family/friend gatherings over the years as well. The park is nearly always clean, the grounds are well-maintained, the amenities are plentiful, the park rangers are friendly and professional, and the patrons are generally pleasant. The topography of the park is such that it is nearly always 10-15 degrees cooler during the summer than the surrounding parts of Poway. Absolutely love this place, and if you're local and haven't made a trip, you don't know what you're missing. This place is a small slice of heaven! And for those more energetic than myself, the hiking trails, archery range, boating and fishing, and camping activities will keep you busy. read more

Lovely setting to relax and hike around the lake. Parking may be difficult on the weekends. Best to slip in in a weekday.

The new Playground at Poway Lake is so awesome. The location is gorgeous and the playground has so many new fun features that parents and kids will both love it. If you are looking for a fun place to experience with your family, Poway lake is a must visit. read more

Nice place....nothing fancy. Typical state or local city run park. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

Well I have been to many Lakes and Parks now this is one that I finally have a chance to come to . Now As I arrive and I drive in to the parking lot I noticed there are a few parking Lots around the lake and park for you to park your car and here at Poway Lakes there are plenty of parking lots and I also noticed the super cool Tony Gwynn Statue that is located in the Park !! It is the memorial statue of The Super Padre himself Tony Gwynn !! It make an awesome picture if you like to take pictures next to the statue !! Now I always enjoy an nice walk around the lake and park !! Here at Poway Lakes it is fairly big and is perfect for walks , hikes , Running or just to relax and enjoy with the family !! There are plenty of bathrooms and Plus you can do fishing here also !! But I do suggest you wait for Trout Season because there is an sign posted near the Bathroom telling you when is the best time for that !! Here at Poway Lakes it is nice and also has a couple of playgrounds for kids also !! It's got lots of green grassy areas also and plenty of benches for you to sit . Now also here at Poway Lakes there is an trail for you to hike to Potato Chip Rock also but it's the long way up to Potato Chip Rock hiking Trail !! But if your looking for good exercise then it is perfect !! I say give this Lake an try and enjoy the beautiful views and it is perfect for Families and Kids !! Overall I sure can see myself coming back here and enjoying again !! read more

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Great family recreational place to bring the family! Always a great time fishing, hiking, picnicking, walking around or even playing ball!! If you haven't been you are missing h out! read more

Huge park with lots of hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic tables, paddle boats and fishing. Free entry for active duty military. Non-Poway residents entry fee is $10. read more

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've lived here in San Diego for more than 25 years and only discovered this last year. But the most embarrassing part is how I found out. I kept seeing pictures of all my friends on this rock called 'Potato Chip Rock' and the whole time I thought it was in Utah! I couldn't understand why all of my friends were going to Utah and finally asked one of them. Never had any clue it was right here! So, for the first attempt I went with a few friends who were as clueless as me. We went during the peak of summer at noon with one small bottle of water. We got maybe a third of the way and everyone kept telling us we were no where near so we turned back. Came back another time earlier in the day when it was much cooler and had a bit more water. It's easy to find (once you realize it's not in Utah) and there is always plenty of parking all of the times I've gone. Sometimes there is a $5 parking fee, but well worth is for the facilities available. There are bathrooms that are always clean and well equipped. I think there are even some sort of showers that you can rinse off with. There is a large lake and I always see people fishing. I personally have only been here to go hiking but there are nice grassy areas and plenty of things to do for outdoor activities. There are a couple of hikes, but the most popular by far is the trail leading up to 'Potato Chip Rock'. For the first mile or so, the trail is quite wide and then it narrows considerably as it also steepens. I am definitely a novice when it comes to hiking so this was a bit of a challenge for me but I saw people riding bikes and even some running the trail up. The views are so amazing you'll easily forget about any discomfort. But be prepared. Bring plenty of water; maybe even use a camelbak or something similar. Highly recommend bringing an energy bar (or two or three). There are some bathrooms (porta potty) on the trail but the last one is at about the 1 mile point. Check the weather before hand. You don't want to go up this later in the day if it's going to be hot out. I'm sad I only recently discovered this but I'm trying to go at least once every other week and work up to once a week. It's such a great workout and being out here and seeing these views....... so lucky to live in San Diego! I've read a few people complain about the $5 parking fee. You have got to be kidding me! This is WELL worth $5 and only hope they don't raise the price. read more

Lake Poway Park - So lucky to live in San Diego and have places like this for fun. - Parks Near Me - Poway, California

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It's been a joy to come to this park we came with the family and had a great time the bathroom are really clean and the ppl working at the park are friendly we recommend this place if you want to get away and spend a good time with the family do activities they also have little boats that you can rent and goa round the late the view is just beautiful I would be a five star read more

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Mr. W took me here as we decided to take his landlord's dog, Lyla out as we both thought some sunlight and some exercise would do everyone some good. Plus we were not too into hiking a grand deal but still wanted to get some kind of exercise in, and he thought of this place. We dropped by mid-morning and luckily it was a lovely day out. This location is quite close to Potato Chip Rock - I believe the trails actually lead there! But we settled for wandering by the lake and then all around before heading up to the scenic overlook. If you are not a Poway resident, you will have to pay $5 for parking to get in. Not too bad as you get quite a view. The lake yesterday was just beautiful. There were a couple of people stationed here and there fishing, other were out on the boats (very few) with their fishing rods. In other places of the park, there were families at the BBQ areas, roasting food and prepping for what looks like a celebration. Bathrooms were located here and there. Parking was very ample. Many people were walking about yesterday with their families and their dogs. Lyla had quite the walk all around, sniffing and jostling about. Once we climbed up to the scenic overlook which was not too bad a walk up, we settled down to take in the whole view of the lake. Very relaxing and just beautiful to look at. Not too hot or too cold either. They also do have a beach volleyball court or two. If you plan on hiking, I suggest bringing water to keep hydrated especially if you go during the summer. Mr. W was recounting his experience of hiking Potato Chip with not enough water - and it sounded pretty bad as he downed a couple bottles of water when he went back home. But Lake Poway is a nice place to check out, relaxing either by the lakeside possibly fishing or hiking the trails. read more

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