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    Lake Wohlford

    4.0 (20 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Lake Wohlford Photos

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    Entrance
    Dee Dee T.

    This restaurant has been here for ever. I think a new owner took over within the last couple years. It's located across the street from Lake Wohlford. It's a great little hole in the wall. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 6 AM to 2 PM. Closed on Mondays. On Thursday nights they open again at 4:00 PM for karaoke. They offer a limited dinner menu. The staff is friendly and service is quick. They have a large breakfast and lunch menu. Prices are reasonably and the portions are adequate.

    Marcus F.

    Lake Wohlford is known for its fishing and drinking water but it's also a place to hike and find an adventure or two. Parking is Free at the ranger station lot ( Right off Lake Wohlford Rd). From this lot you have access to two hiking trails ( The Osprey and the Kumeyaay trails). Osprey Trail - A small trail that is family friendly where you can walk to the orange buoys and back. Simple and Safe for all. Kumeyaay Trail - This is about 4.5 miles round trip if you hike it all the way down. I'm apprehensive to call this family friendly because there are plenty of areas for rattlesnake to hid during the summer. There's also a lot of small boulders and rocks to navigate. It's not too bad as my family did it, but those with bad knees might look to hike elsewhere. The Other Side - The only way to get to the other side of the Lake is to cut across through the swamp. You'll need to hike down the Kumeyaay Trail to the private property gate. Then you'll need bushwhack through the swamp to the other side...Be aware that you'll have to go through a forest of stinging nettle. Once there you can hike along the southern trails, but you'll have to hike along the busy room for the final 1.5 miles. - Side Diversion Across the street, east of the Lake Wohlford Cafe is a dirt lot and stairs leading to Castle Rock.

    A beautiful day out on Lake Wohlford in January!  Mid 70's and lots of sunshine.
    Tami L.

    We went up to fish at Lake Wohlford this weekend with friends and wanted to rent a couple boats. We got there right at 6 am since that is when the lake opens and you cannot reserve boats ahead of time. A nice ranger was there that guided us through the automated system (machine) to buy our lake permits and boat rental. Everyone was super nice and helpful from the ranger to the boat dock attendants. They warned us it was going to be windy and that we may want to just fish from the shore as no refunds were to be made. We still opted for a boat but it was nice that they warned us. We didn't catch anything but boats around us were coming in with their limits. Guess we need to go back to fishing school! We could not get our anchor up at the end of the day but the ranger came out in another boat and untied it from our boat and he tried to get it out. We were not charged for the lost anchor either. We had tied together with our friends boat but they never hassled us about it. We will definitely be back, it is such a short trip up to the lake from North County and it is clean and has ample outhouses scattered around lake.

    Wendy H.

    I love our options of lakes in north county and this is one of them. They have areas for fishing, boating and hiking. Pretty quiet area compared to some more of the popular north county spots. I love this area though because its a bit out of the way but there is something about getting outside of society to be in nature and the lake. Across the street (walking distance) is even a cafe if you didn't pack a picnic lunch. I have never seen any of the areas dirty, its a piece of nature that I hope doesnt change. Its gorgeous out there.

    You need to fish east of the buoys
    Alexandra B.

    This is a nice and scenic Lake in Escondido. I came here with my son and his friend to fish. Kids do not need a fishing license but they need a lake permit. Adults will need to have also a lake permit and a fishing license valid in California to fish here. You can buy your lake permit at the machine by the Rangers office. The lake is stocked with catfish and other fish. You can fish for bass perch trout and other fish. The lake is very peaceful and it is not very crowded. Since you are in Escondido, it is hot so make sure that you bring some shade and chairs to be comfortable. There are also a few short hiking trails. You can also walk to the nearby café which is about five minutes away from the ranger station. Also watch out for the poison oak.

    In front of Lake
    Diana B.

    Used to go here as a child, glad it's still available to the public. Thanks Rangers and public stewards!

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    9 years ago

    Great fishing for trout when stocked, call wolhford cafe for dates, bass in spring holds some lonkers

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    Ask the Community - Lake Wohlford

    Is kayaking allowed?

    No kayaking. Asked the park ranger on 7-17-20. He said No. kind of a bummer because it's a beautiful place.

    Are dogs allowed? Leashed or unleashed?

    No. And that's great because it's too protect the ducks, snakes and other wildlife.

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    Review Highlights - Lake Wohlford

    This lake has been my go to lake all throughout this past summer, and never left without a string full of catfish.

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    Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

    Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

    4.5(20 reviews)
    5.8 mi

    A great suspension bridge that spans across Lake Hodges - what more could you ask for?…read more Great place to take pictures and also a fun walk - it connects to great trails around the lake.

    Found this as one of the things to do when in Escondido, however... it was a bit of confusing…read moregetting here. Literally when you get off the highway you are at the location to venture across but there is no parking. You venture to the Park area where most everyone was off road biking at. We parked and began our journey back to the beginning of the bridge. It stated on yelp it was closed but it clearly was open. There are signs that say it is monitored 24-7, it appears that if the gate is closed there is a button to push to open it. The unfortunate part, the lake is so dried up that it no longer runs under the bridge. Feel like Google & yelp maps should be updated to reflect that. In the middle of the bridge you can see a faint hint of some water off in the distance but otherwise it is trees and grass and bushes. A bit sad and disappointing. A ton of people biking and utilizing the bridge to cross over and few walkers as well. It was a nice walk nonetheless just not a cool or breath-taking as we were expecting. If you get sea sick or nauseous easily, I do not recommend this bridge. Since it is a suspension bridge, you feel it. Today (9/18/21) was not a windy day. Can only imagine a windy day.

    Photos
    Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge
    Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge
    Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

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    Kumeyaay Trail

    Kumeyaay Trail

    4.0(1 review)
    0.0 mi

    The Kumeyaay Trail is a trail that hugs Lake Wohlford's North shore…read more Parking is free at the Lake Wohlford Ranger Station so just park and walk East to find the trail entrance. Note that the trail isn't marked very well, and you'll have to use trail intuition to find your way in the overgrown areas. The trail is mostly dirt, small boulders, and large flat smooth rocks. Expect mud and sand in some areas next to the lake. Not the best hike if you have bad knees. The actual hike was fun ( early spring after many large rainstorms). You'll walk by several Oak Trees and many wildflowers blooming. This is a birders paradise as many waterfowl make their homes here. It's about 4.5 miles there and back unless you are foolish and decided to walk around the ENTIRE LAKE.. That will make your hike 5.5 total. Note there is NO TRAIL to connect Kumeyaay to the South trails on the other side of the lake. Foolishness - So, once you walk to the end of the Kumeyaay Trail ( there is a private property gate) you might get the harebrained idea to cut through the swamp to get to the south side of the lake.. Okay, we did it ( with three kids).. There are a few things to know before deciding to cut across the mash to the other side.. Much of your hike will be through a large stinging nettle forest. If you're wearing shorts forget about going to the other side of the lake. If you have long pants / jeans you should be okay. Next you'll have to go through various reeds and muck. Then you'll have to cross a small stream about ten feet wide, a few feet deep.. You're going to get your shoes wet unless you're one hell of a long jumper. Finally, you'll have to ascend up a vertical cliff to get up to a road..One you're on the South Side of Lake Wohlford you still have a long way to hike to get back to your car. There is no shortcut and you'll have to walk along the busy Lake Wholford Rd for over a mile. Worth it?? Yeah it was pretty adventurous. - Tips I wouldn't kike this trail in the summer. There are soooo many places for rattlesnakes to hide.

    Photos
    Kumeyaay Trail - River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

    River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

    Kumeyaay Trail
    Kumeyaay Trail

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    Lake Wohlford - lakes - Updated May 2026

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