For easy trip planning, Cachuma Lake now takes online reservations for all campsites at www.sbparks.org. At Cachuma Lake you will find practically everything you need for a relaxing lakeside getaway in the great outdoors: Year-round cabin, tent, yurt, and RV camping, boating, boat rentals, fishing, nature cruises on the lake, a hands-on nature center, bird watching, hiking, photography, picnics, and a general store. Mild temperatures, typically sunny skies, and celebrated fishing conditions make year-round camping here exceptionally rewarding. Located off scenic Highway 154 in the Santa Ynez Valley, Cachuma Lake is midway between the coast of Santa Barbara, area wineries, and the Danish community of Solvang.
YEAR-ROUND NATURE PROGRAMS:
Cachuma Lake 2-Hour Wildlife Cruises – Offered mornings 10am – noon Saturdays & Sundays, and afternoons 3pm – 5pm Fridays and Saturdays. Santa Barbara County Park Naturalists lead 2-hour cruises that focus on wildlife, local birds, flora, Native American and settler history, and geology. $15/adults $7/kids (4-12 years old; please, no children under 4). Reservations: (805) 686-5050 weekdays, (805) 686-5055 weekends. $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit www.cachuma.com and click on “Nature Cruises”.
Cachuma Lake Nature Walk – Every Saturday, 10am-11:30 am; meet at the Nature Center. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area Naturalists and interpretive guides lead an easy paced ½-mile walk on the Don Wimpress Nature Trail. Free with $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Large groups are encouraged to call in advance, (805) 688-4515. For the month of April, guides will be leading theme based walks: Saturday, April 6 & 13: Wildflowers & plant uses; Saturday, April 20 & 27: Ecology of Cachuma.
Cachuma Lake Junior Ranger Program – Every Saturday, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm; meet at the Nature Center. Kids earn a badge with the help of a Cachuma Park Naturalist as they learn about wildlife and care of the natural environment. $2 per child in addition to the $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit the Calendar of Events at www.cachuma.com.
Lake Cruise Field Trips for Elementary Schools – Cachuma Lake Recreation Area offers weekday field trips at Cachuma Lake for kindergarten through grade 6 schools. Lake Cruises focus on watersheds, oak woodland ecology, chaparral, and lake habitats. General emphasis touches on historic Chumash life ways, plant life, geology, wildlife observations, and resident and migratory birds including Bald Eagles. Nature walks and a visit to the Neal Taylor Nature Center are also included. For more information, contact the Park Naturalist at (805) 688-4515 or visit “School Field Trips” at www.cachuma.com.
NEAL TAYLOR NATURE CENTER AT CACHUMA LAKE:
Neal Taylor Nature Center – Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and Sunday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Exhibits and hands-on displays for all ages feature local wildlife, birds, plant life, geology, local history, as well as a gift and book shop. Free admission with $10 per vehicle Park day use fee. For more information call (805) 693-0691, see park bulletin boards, or visit www.clnaturecenter.org.
18th Annual Trout Derby to benefit the Neal Taylor Nature Center
Saturday & Sunday, April 20 & 21, 2013 – Rain or Shine
The Trout Derby is a benefit for the Neal Taylor Nature Center, a private, non-profit located within Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. Guaranteed cash prizes will be awarded to lucky anglers. Pick up registration forms at the Cachuma Lake marina, Nature Center, Main Gate, or the General Store. To request a registration form and obtain more information, call The Trout Derby Hotline (805) 693-8381 or go online to www.TROUTDERBY.org.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AT CACHUMA LAKE:
Cachuma Lake Hiking – There are four miles of trails for self-guided hikes within the Park. Pick up a trail guide at the front gate. $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit www.cachuma.com. Also, within a 15 minute drive of Cachuma, you can access multiple hiking trailheads in Los Padres National Forest.
Cachuma Lake Fishing – April will have TWO trout plants: April 4: Nebraska tailwalkers, April 18: triploid rainbows from Calaveras Trout Farm. 8500 pounds total will be planted in April, including several hundred pounds of triploid rainbow trophies, just in time for the Neal Taylor Nature Center annual Trout Derby. See www.cachuma.com for the trout planting schedule, the Weekly Fishing Report, and for strict boat inspection and launch requirements to control invasive plants and animals. Fishing from shore in the campground or from a boat is open all year with a valid fishing license. The lake supports healthy populations of rainbow trout, large- and smallmouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish.
Cachuma Lake Marina & Boat Rentals – Open daily in April, 6:30 am – 7:00 pm. Boat rentals, party boats, pontoon boats, kayak rentals, slip rentals, 1-day fishing licenses and a full bait and tackle are available. Call (805) 688-4040 for prices and specific times. $10 Park Admission per vehicle.
Bow Fishing for Carp – Bow fishing is permitted at Cachuma Lake. Permits are free and obtained at the lake. See Carp Bow Fishing at Cachuma Lake at www.cachuma.com for completed information and regulations.