Hidden Lakes Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Shadowood Park Paso Nogal Dog Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hidden Lakes Park is a beautiful outdoor recreational area located in Martinez, California.

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Summary

The park is known for its natural beauty, scenic trails, diverse wildlife, and abundant recreational opportunities. Some of the most popular activities at Hidden Lakes Park include hiking, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching.

One of the main attractions of Hidden Lakes Park is the two large reservoirs which are home to a wide variety of fish and waterfowl. Visitors can cast their lines and try to catch bass, trout, and catfish, or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The park also offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and plenty of open space for games and other activities.

For hikers and nature enthusiasts, Hidden Lakes Park features a network of scenic trails that wind through lush forests, grassy meadows, and along the shores of the reservoirs. The trails vary in difficulty and length, making them suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Along the way, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the park's diverse wildlife, including deer, squirrels, rabbits, and a variety of birds.

Interesting facts about Hidden Lakes Park include that it was once a working ranch and dairy farm, and that the park's lakes were created by damming a creek that flows through the area. The park is also home to a number of historical sites, including the remains of an old homestead and a stone fireplace that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

The best time of year to visit Hidden Lakes Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. However, the park is open year-round and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation throughout the year.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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