Stow Lake

Stow Lake is part of Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California and can be accessed by Stow Lake Drive. The park hours are 10am to 4pm 365 days a year. There is no cost to enter the park; however, for those who do not own row boats or paddle boats there is a fee to get on the lake. Row boats are $13 per hour and paddle boats are $17 per hour. Children 5 and up can be in the boats; however, a parent or guardian is required to go with younger children.

Boating on Stow Lake is a popular way to get around the park to see the arched bridges, Strybing Arboretum, and Japanese Tea Garden. These places can also be reached by car for a more intimate examination. There is a path around Stow Lake should visitors want to see the man-made waterfall and watch for birds. Waterfowl and other common birds use the lake as a nesting area. The boathouse rents bicycles and quadcycles for those who want to bike around the lake rather than walk or boat. Stow Lake is the largest body of water in the park. There are also a few smaller ponds.