31. Diaz Lake

Formed by the 1872 Lone Pine Earthquake, this popular local recreation area hosts ducks, grebes, cormorants, and American White Pelican in migration. Noticeable summer residents are the colorful and vocal Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and Great-tailed Grackle. Great Blue Heron fish from the banks and the cottonwood trees around the lake can be full of migrating warblers in spring and fall and good for Nuttall’s Woodpecker. Don’t forget to check out the pasture to the south for Mountain Bluebird and Black Phoebe.

Habitat: Cottonwood, willow, riparian, open water, pastureland
Seasons: All
Location: 2 miles south of Lone Pine on Hwy 395 turn east into the Diaz Lake parking lot.
Access: Year round
Fee: Overnight camping fee, no fee for day-use.
Contact: Diaz Lake County Park (760) 876-5656