Visitor Center:
A small visitor center is located at the park office. Ranger programs can be scheduled by calling
559-673-5151.
Day Use:
The Buck Ridge Recreation Area has a swim beach and 33 picnic sites, each equipped with a table and barbecue grill. A group picnic area with barbecue, tables, and horseshoe pits is available by reservation through RECREATION.GOV. In the 500-acre wildlife area you may enjoy hiking, bird watching, hunting, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Map of the Buck Ridge Trail
Camping:
Hidden View campground has 55 campsites, flush restrooms with showers and a trailer dump station. Campsites are equipped with a table, fire pit, and barbecue grill. Some sites have electric hookup. Some sites also have a shade shelter.
The Hidden View Area also has a self-guided nature trail, and playground. There is a 14-day limit per stay. The Hidden View campground gates open at 6 a.m. daily. The gates close at 10 p.m. during peak season (President's Day weekend thru September 30) and 8 p.m. off-season.
Map of Hidden View Campground
Group Camping:
Hidden View has two group camping areas, with gazebo picnic shelters. Each group camping area is available by reservation to groups of up to 50 people through
RECREATION.GOV. Groups may also reserve the Wakalumi primitive area by calling our park headquarters.
Boating:
The 1,500-acre lake provides plenty of space for water-skiing, sailing, personal watercraft, and pleasure boating. Launch ramps are located in the Buck Ridge and Hidden View recreation areas.
Take an online boating course at WWW.BOAT-ED.COM. Passing this California boating safety course will also make you eligible for a discount on your boat or PWC insurance with many insurance providers.
Fees:
The Corps of Engineers is now included in the America the Beautiful interagency pass! For a one time purchase of $80, you have access to all of your favorite Corps parks in addition to all the other federal public lands and national parks for one year after the date of purchase.
Individuals 62 years or older can buy a $10 lifetime senior pass, which does not expire. All other passes and kids 15 years or younger are free of charge at all federal recreation areas. Senior and access pass holders also receive a 50 percent discount on campsites at Corps-managed campgrounds.
Be sure to pick up your America the Beautiful pass at any of our parks as the money is turned right around and invested in the facilities to improve your recreational experience.
Get details about the America the Beautiful pass series here http://1.usa.gov/1T6TRMt.
| Camping |
Group Camping |
Group Day Use |
Day Use |
| $20 standard
$30 electric |
$100 |
$30 |
$5
$40 Annual Pass |
The Corps Annual Pass gives unlimited access to day-use areas at any Corps park for one calendar year, and is sold at all Corps parks.
Fishing:
Numerous game fish abound in the waters of Hensley Lake. Species include largemouth black bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Rainbow trout are planted during the winter months. Some of the best fishing is found in the coves around the lake. Anglers may keep 2 bass over 15" in length.
Fish guide with pictures
Volunteeer at Hensley Lake:
Check out our
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION (MS Word format)
Historical Information:
The former Fresno River basin which is now Hensley Lake used to be home to the Miwok and Yokuts people. Their presence in the area is still evident, mostly in the form of milling areas, where they prepared food.
Also of historical interest is a monument in the Buck Ridge Recreation Area erected to the memory of Major James D. Savage. Highly successful as a miner, trader and leader, Major Savage is credited with the discovery of Yosemite Valley on March 25, 1851, during the Mariposa Indian War. As a trader, Savage established a store on the Fresno River where he made a small fortune trading goods for gold with local miners.