Photo: D Coetzee from San Mateo, CA, USA · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Heads up: Weekends near the water fill first. Book the campsite before the gear.
Quick facts
- Type
- Lake
- State
- California
- Surface area
- About 152 acres
- Boat ramps
- 2
- Campgrounds
- None listed
- Fish species
- None recorded
Get on the water
Ramps & rentals
Bring the boat on wheels
Rent a campervan and paddle from shore, or gear up for a day at the water.
Affiliate linksWhere to stay
Camp near the water
Private sites nearby
Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.
Affiliate linkCabins and hotels near Lake Merritt
Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.
Affiliate linkOff the water
Nearby trails
Trailheads from OpenStreetMap and hand-checked notes. Open the trailhead in your hiking app for full route details.
Before you launch
Gas, bait & supplies nearby
Gas and fuel docks
- True Zero 350 Grand Avenue, Oakland · 24/70.2 miDirections
- Chevron 350 Grand Avenue, Oakland · 24/70.2 miDirections
- Propel 350 Grand Avenue, Oakland · 24/70.2 miDirections
- 76 24/70.3 miDirections
Bait and tackle
- Phu Quy Bait & SuppliesBait 1805 14th Avenue, Oakland · Mo,We,Th,Fr 07:00-16:00; Sa 06:00-16:00; Su 06:00-12:000.9 miCallDirections
- Alameda Army Navy Surplus1.9 miDirections
- Bonanza 3545 International Boulevard · Tu-Sa 09:30-17:302.5 miDirections
- Sports Basement 2727 Milvia Street, Berkeley · Mo-Fr 11:00-20:00; Sa, Su 10:00-19:003.4 miCallDirections
Groceries and ice
- Drips Liquor Market 1585 Madison Street, Oakland0.1 miDirections
- QuikStop Liquor Merritt Avenue, Oakland0.1 miDirections
- LuckyIce 237;247;265 East 18th Street · Mo-Su 06:00-22:000.1 miCallDirections
- 7-Eleven 2350 Harrison Street, Oakland · 24/70.1 miCallDirections
RV dump and fresh water
- RV dump stationFresh water4.3 miDirections
Ranger stations
- Joaquin Miller Park Ranger Station3.5 miDirections
- Environmental Information Center 600 Canon Drive, Berkeley · Tu-Su 10:00-16:306.9 miDirections
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Headquarters9.0 miDirections
- Wildcat Canyon Park Office 5755 McBryde Avenue10.3 miDirections
Hospitals and urgent care
- Order of Malta Clinic 2121 Harrison Street, Oakland0.1 miDirections
- Youth Heart Health Center0.2 miDirections
- Carbon Health0.2 miDirections
- One Medical 1955 Broadway, Oakland0.3 miDirections
Distances are straight-line from the water. Listings © OpenStreetMap contributors; hours change, so call ahead. In an emergency, call 911.
Trip planner
Build your weekend
Packing list
Don't forget
Good to know
Lake Merritt FAQ
Where can I launch a boat on Lake Merritt?
Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: U.S. Coast Guard - Base Alameda, Boat ramp, Portobello Marina, 5th Avenue Marina, Oakland Marinas - Oakland Alameda Estuary, Oakland Marinas - North Embarcadero Cove. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.
Is there gas near Lake Merritt?
The closest listed fuel is True Zero, about 0.2 miles from the water.
Where can I buy bait near Lake Merritt?
Bait and tackle nearby: Phu Quy Bait & Supplies (0.9 mi), Alameda Army Navy Surplus (1.9 mi), Bonanza (2.5 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.
Keep exploring
Nearby water
Sources: USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (rivers via Esri Living Atlas), Recreation.gov RIDB, OpenStreetMap contributors, CDFW and AZGFD, GBIF, NWS. Photo credits are listed on the photo credits page. All outbound links are affiliate links.