Stow Lake

CA
Directions to Blue Heron Lake Boathouse & Bike Rental
37.769°N 122.475°W374 ft
BoatingPaddling

Photo: Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Rentals, stays & trips for Stow LakePartner links · same price for you
Campsites near Stow LakePrivate sites when the public ones are fullHipcamp Stay near Stow LakeLake cabins, vacation homes and hotelsExpedia · Vrbo Rent an RVCampervans delivered to campOutdoorsy Folding kayaksPacks into a car trunkOru Kayak

Heads up: Weekends near the water fill first. Book the campsite before the gear.

Campsites near Stow LakeHipcamp · partner link→
Gear up for Stow Lake
Folding kayaksOru Kayak Tents, coolers & camp gearREI Sun and rain layersPatagonia Paddle and outdoor gearBackcountry
Partner links
Guides for Stow LakeBoat rentals →
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · USGS 3DHP and National Atlas (via Esri)
Chinese Pavillion at Stow Lake in the Golden Gate Park (TK1).JPG
Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Chinese Pavillion at Stow Lake in the Golden Gate Park (TK2).JPG
Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Square waves on Stow Lake, March 2020.JPG
Pi.1415926535 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Stow Lake, Golden Gate Park (14069286015).jpg
Steve Knight from Halstead, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

Quick facts

Type
Lake
State
California
Surface area
About 12 acres
Elevation
374 ft
Boat ramps
None listed
Campgrounds
None listed
Fish species
None recorded

Get on the water

Ramps & rentals

Blue Heron Lake Boathouse & Bike Rental

Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors
No boat rentals here

Bring the boat on wheels

Rent a campervan and paddle from shore, or gear up for a day at the water.

Affiliate links

Where to stay

Camp near the water

CampgroundsNone listed yet in Recreation.gov or OpenStreetMap for this water.
Public sites full?

Private sites nearby

Ranch, desert and waterfront sites hosted by landowners.

Affiliate link
Rather sleep indoors?

Cabins and hotels near Stow Lake

Lake houses, cabins and hotels close to the water, with free cancellation on many stays.

Affiliate link
No rig? No problem

RV delivered to camp

Some owners will drop a trailer at the campground and pick it up when you leave.

Affiliate links

Off the water

Nearby trails

San Francisco Crosstown Trail - Hiking - Section 4

Crosstown Trail Coalition · Crosstown Trail Coalition
· 0.1 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

San Francisco Crosstown Trail - Hiking - Section 5

Crosstown Trail Coalition · Crosstown Trail Coalition
· 1.3 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

China Beach Entrance

· 1.4 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Double Cross Trail - Section 2

Crosstown Trail Coalition · Crosstown Trail Coalition
· 1.5 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

HikANation Historical Route

HikANation.com · HikANation.com
· 1.6 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Park Trail

· 1.7 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Batteries to Bluffs Trail

· 2.0 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Double Cross Trail - Section 3

Crosstown Trail Coalition · Crosstown Trail Coalition
· 3.2 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

The Barbary Coast Trail

· 3.6 mi from the water
Directions
© OpenStreetMap contributors

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

Bait and tackle

  • Gus' Discount TackleBait 3710 Balboa Street · Mo-Sa 08:00-17:00; Su off
    1.2 miCallDirections
  • Sports Basement 610 Mason Street, San Francisco
    2.4 miDirections
  • Cotopaxi 549 Hayes Street, San Francisco · Mo-Sa 11:00-19:00; Su 11:00-18:00
    2.6 miCallDirections
  • Cali Kites 350 Hayes Street, San Francisco
    2.8 miDirections

Groceries and ice

  • Loop 1759 Lincoln Way, San Francisco · 24/7
    0.2 miDirections
  • Sunrise Irving Market 1933 Irving Street, San Francisco
    0.3 miCallDirections
  • Andronico's Community MarketIce 1200 Irving Street, San Francisco · 06:00-23:00
    0.3 miDirections
  • 17th & Balboa Market 1601 Balboa Street, San Francisco · 10:00-19:30
    0.4 miDirections

RV dump and fresh water

Ranger stations

  • Presidio Officers' Club 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
    2.0 miDirections
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area Park Headquarters
    3.4 miDirections
  • Pantoll Ranger Station 3801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley
    11.5 miCallDirections
  • Stinson Beach Lifeguard Station
    12.4 miDirections

Hospitals and urgent care

  • One Medical Group 840 Irving Street, San Francisco · Mo-Tu,Th-Fr 08:00-17:00; We 08:00-16:00; Sa-Su off
    0.4 miDirections
  • Carbon Health 2123 Irving Street, San Francisco · 09:00-19:00
    0.4 miDirections
  • Metta 1360 9th Avenue
    0.5 miDirections
  • Ocean Park Health Center 1351 24th Avenue, San Francisco
    0.5 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

How many days
Who's coming
Main thing

Packing list

Don't forget

Good to know

Stow Lake FAQ

Where can I launch a boat on Stow Lake?

Boat ramps and marinas listed for this water: Blue Heron Lake Boathouse & Bike Rental. Fees and hours change by season, so check with the managing agency before you tow.

Is there gas near Stow Lake?

The closest listed fuel is Shell, about 0.2 miles from the water.

Where can I buy bait near Stow Lake?

Bait and tackle nearby: Gus' Discount Tackle (1.2 mi), Sports Basement (2.4 mi), Cotopaxi (2.6 mi). Hours change, so call ahead.

Keep exploring

Nearby water

Lake Merritt12 miCentral Lake19 miLake Berryessa58 mi · 83% fullSoquel Creek58 mi

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.