Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord

Outdoors

Swimming holes and lakes near Concord

Lakes, rivers and beaches near Concord where swimming is allowed on public land.

11places to swim
24 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
May–Octoberbest months

Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.

Closest picks

1

Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)

24 mi southwest · National Park Service

Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.

2

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

27 mi southwest · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

An area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world.

3

Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)

42 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation

Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.

Map of all 11 places

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Within 30 miles (2)

24 mi southwest · National Park Service · Campground

Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)

Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horseback riding

27 mi southwest · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

An area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects the wildlife and habitats of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world.

  • Boating
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Paddling
  • Photography
  • Ranger programs
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming

30 to 75 miles (8)

42 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation · Campground

Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)

Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.

  • Birding
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Guided Interpretive Walks
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Nature education

42 mi west · National Park Service · Campground

Point Reyes National Seashore Campground

Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.

  • Backpacking
  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horse Camping

65 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Coyote Point

Coyote Point sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Swimming
  • Water Access

67 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Deer Flat Boat In Campground

New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming
  • Water Access
  • Wildlife viewing

67 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Observation Point Picnic Shelter (Ca)

New Hogan Dam and Lake is located in the oak- and brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The 4,400 acre lake was created in 1964 with the completion of New Hogan Dam.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Swimming

68 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Acorn Campground

Acorn Campground is a sunny campground in the brush-covered hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area is generally characterized by a warm, dry climate with summer temperatures regularly soaring above 90 degrees.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming

68 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Oak Knoll Campground

Oak Knoll Campground sits along New Hogan Lake in the brush-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Recreation Boating is a popular pastime, with boat ramps conveniently located around the lake.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming

73 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma)

Lake Sonoma's Boat-In Sites are scattered around beautiful Lake Sonoma, only a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

75 miles and farther (1)

81 mi east · Bureau of Reclamation · Campground

Glory Hole Recreation Area

Glory Hole Recreation Area is located at New Melones Lake on the Stanislaus River.

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Jet Skiing
  • Kayaking

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Concord. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

Get outside around Concord

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Around Concord

Concord Police Station
Concord Police StationShakataGaNai · CC BY-SA 3.0
Concord photograph by MARELBU
Concord, CA, USA (1)MARELBU · CC BY 3.0
Don Salvio Pacheco Adobe, Concord
Don Salvio Pacheco Adobe 1Junglebunny925 · CC BY-SA 3.0

More outdoors near Concord

Questions

Where is the closest place for swimming near Concord?

Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK) (National Park Service), about 24 miles southwest of Concord as the crow flies. Next are Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (27 mi) and Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca) (42 mi).

When is the best time for swimming near Concord?

Based on Concord’s average highs, May–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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