Otay Lakes County Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Otay Lakes County Park is a beautiful park located in the state of California, with plenty of great reasons to visit.


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Summary

The park is situated around two lakes, Upper Otay Lake and Lower Otay Lake, which provide a range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and hiking.

One of the main attractions of the park is the hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. There are several different trails to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty levels, making them accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

In addition to hiking, the park also offers a range of other activities, including camping, picnicking, and wildlife watching. There are several picnic areas throughout the park, as well as campsites for overnight stays.

Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the Otay Mountain Wilderness, which is home to a variety of rare and endangered plants and animals, as well as the Otay Reservoir, which offers excellent fishing opportunities.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the park is home to over 200 species of birds, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers, and that the park has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows.

The best time of year to visit Otay Lakes County Park depends on what activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are generally the best times for hiking and wildlife watching, while summer is the best time for fishing and boating. However, the park is open year-round, so there is always something to see and do regardless of the season.

       

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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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