Lexington Reservoir County Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Sanborn Skyline County Park Pageant Grounds

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lexington Reservoir County Park is located in Santa Clara County, California and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

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Summary

The park is situated around the Lexington Reservoir, which provides a beautiful backdrop for activities like hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

One of the main attractions of the park is the hiking trails, which range from easy to difficult and offer stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding hills. The park also features several picnic areas and a playground, making it a great spot for families to spend a day.

Another point of interest in the park is the historic dam, which was built in 1952 and is still used to store drinking water for the surrounding area. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the dam and learn about its construction and history.

Interestingly, the park was also the site of a major landslide in 1982, which caused significant damage to the dam and surrounding area. However, the area has since been restored and is now a beautiful and peaceful spot for outdoor recreation.

The best time of year to visit Lexington Reservoir County Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for all seasons. Overall, the park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for outdoor recreation and beautiful scenery in the heart of California.

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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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