Diaz Lake

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Diaz Lake

Location: About 2 miles south of the Lone Pine, California.

Getting There: Entrance to lake and campground is right off US 395. East side of lake is alongside the highway.

Camping/Lodging: Group and individual campsites. $10 per individual site, per night (Sept 2005). Lodging in Lone Pine. Closest hotel to the lake is a Comfort Inn, less than 1 mile north on US 395. Additional hotels, including the Dow Villa (famous as a hang out for actors during filming in the area), are located in Lone Pine.

Put-In/Take-Out: Paved launch ramp (fee) or put in pretty much anywhere along the lake. Day use area with small beach can be used for put in, at south side of the paved launch ramp parking area. No fee for car top put-in.

Good Points: Close to Lone Pine. Great views of the Alabama HIlls (which almost come up to the lake), and Mt Whitney. Note Whitney can be seen while paddling on the lake. Alabama Hills obscure Whitney view from most campsites. Warm water (when compared to High Sierra Lakes). Nice picnic areas. Flush toilets, shower, children's play area near launch ramp.

Not-as-Good Points: During summer, you must share with skiboats and jetskis. Note that only 5 boats are allowed to tow skiers on the lake at any one time. Some campsites have little or no shade. Can hover around 100 degrees during summer days - but then, that is what the lake is for, take a dip!

Lake Size: Approx 85 acres.

Originally a pond, with natural springs providing the water. The biggest known earthquake in California's history occurred near Lone Pine, CA. The land dropped 20 ft in the area of the pond, creating a natural lake. The quake also opened up additional natural springs, which to this day "feed" Diaz lake.

Waterskiing, boating, camping, etc are popular at this lake, whose value goes up as the heat in the Owens Valley heads up. While the lake itself is not ugly, the lakeshore would not really rate a stop by traveling paddlers except for....the view! The lake is right along US Hwy 385, about 2 miles south of Lone Pine. Paved boat launch is $9. Day use is free, and there are lots of places other than the paved ramp to put in your kayak or canoe. Large campground area, many sites by the lake, $10 per night. Flush toilets, and many sites have fire rings and/or picnic tables, some with tree shade. Lots of reeds surrounding parts of the lake, near reeds water can be shallow.

Back to the view. The lake is immediately bordered by the Alabama Hills, site of hundreds of film, commercial, and TV series locations. From John Wayne to Star Trek. Visit the Lone Pine Film Museum as you enter Lone Pine northbound from the lake - it will be on the west side of Hwy 395. And a little further west of the Alabama Hills you will see the Sierra. Mt Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48, may be seen while paddling the lake. Take a close look to make sure you are actually looking at Mt. Whitney, as from the lake and the town of Lone Pine, it will appear actually shorter than Lone Pine Mountain.

There is an interesting interpretive/visitor center run jointly by US Forest Service, National Parks, etc. The center is located along Hwy 395, just north of Diaz Lake at the junction of Hwy 395 and the road to Keeler and Death Valley. They have one of the best selection of books about the Sierra and Death Valley in the area.

There is a large film museum (opening April 2006), and the Lone Pine Film Festival takes place every October over the Columbus Day holiday. For a great view, turn and go west at the only stop light in town - after about a 20 minute drive up Whitney Portal Road you will reach the trailhead for Mt Whitney at about 8,300 ft. There is parking, camping (bring bear proof containers for food), a nice cafe and shop, waterfall, pond, and temperatures that drop dramatically from the summer heat of Owens Valley.

If you would like more detailed information about the Lone Pine area, simply email us - it is our home base :)