Aerial view of Antioch and the San Joaquin River Delta

Outdoors

Boating and kayaking near Antioch

Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Antioch for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.

21places to boat and paddle
3 mito the closest
3within 30 miles
March–Octoberbest months

Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.

Closest picks

1

Contra Loma Reservoir

3 mi south · Bureau of Reclamation

Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.

2

San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

18 mi northwest · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve comprises two components located along the salinity gradient of the San Francisco Bay.

3

Cosumnes River

27 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Explore, learn, and experience the Cosumnes River Preserve with opportunities for guided walks, paddling, hiking, and nature viewing.

Map of all 21 places

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Within 30 miles (3)

3 mi south · Bureau of Reclamation

Contra Loma Reservoir

Contra Loma Dam and reservoir are part of the Central Valley Project - Delta Division and offers recreational opportunities for the East Bay area near San Francisco.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Picnicking
  • Recreational Vehicles
  • Water sports

18 mi northwest · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

The San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve comprises two components located along the salinity gradient of the San Francisco Bay.

  • Paddling
  • Photography

27 mi northeast · Bureau of Land Management

Cosumnes River

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY. Explore, learn, and experience the Cosumnes River Preserve with opportunities for guided walks, paddling, hiking, and nature viewing.

  • Accessible Facility Or Activity
  • Bird Watching
  • Canoeing
  • Guided Interpretive Walks
  • Photography
  • Wildlife viewing

30 to 75 miles (17)

36 mi west · 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

36 mi southwest · Fish and Wildlife Service

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Nature education
  • Photography
  • Ranger programs

36 mi north · Bureau of Reclamation

Lake Solano

Lake Solano Park, Solano Project , is located at the base of coastal foothills at the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and offers an array of recreational opportunities.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Ranger programs

36 mi west · National Park Service

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area in the stunning San Francisco Bay.

  • Boating
  • History

37 mi west · Fish and Wildlife Service

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

In response to rapidly disappearing wetlands and its prime location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge was created in 1974 to protect migratory birds, wetland habitat, and endangered species.

  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Photography
  • Ranger programs

38 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers

S F Bay Model Regional Visitor Center

The Bay Model was built in 1957 as a research tool to test the impact of proposed changes to San Francisco Bay and its related waterways.

  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • History
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

39 mi west · 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

39 mi northwest · Bureau of Reclamation

Lake Berryessa

Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.

  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • History
  • Horseback riding
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned

45 mi northwest · 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

52 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

54 mi west · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Entirely offshore, Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary protects soft seafloor habitat, a rocky bank, deep-sea canyons, and diverse wildlife, while acting as a feeding ground for many marine mammals and seabirds.

  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Wildlife viewing

54 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

55 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

56 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

56 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

69 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

71 mi east · Bureau of Reclamation · Campground

Tuttletown Recreation Area

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

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

75 miles and farther (1)

81 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

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Antioch. 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 Antioch

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Around Antioch

Carnegie Library in Antioch, California, side
Carnegie Library in Antioch, California, sideMliu92 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Antioch City Park blue star plaque
Antioch City Park blue star plaqueMliu92 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Antioch Marina, West side
Antioch Marina, West sideMliu92 · CC BY-SA 4.0

More outdoors near Antioch

Questions

Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Antioch?

Contra Loma Reservoir (Bureau of Reclamation), about 3 miles south of Antioch as the crow flies. Next are San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (18 mi) and Cosumnes River (27 mi).

When is the best time for boating & paddling near Antioch?

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

Who manages these places?

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

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