Dixon Lake
Dixon Lake
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
158 within 5 kms
Attractions
74 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
52 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
18
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Jessica P
4 contributions
Jul 2022
Our first trip to Dixon Lake was a memorable one. My three children, husband and myself enjoyed site 44 with a beautiful lake view. We stayed for two nights and we are looking forward to booking our next camping trip.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shakuroo
Dana Point, CA145 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Beautiful lake. Lots of fishing docks around the lake. Plenty of greenery plus eats animals to keep you entertained! Many coveted picnic areas plus a playground for the kids. Only $6 for the entrance fee. Secluded lake in the Escondido
Area next to Daley Ranch and trails.
Area next to Daley Ranch and trails.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EscoDave
Escondido, CA494 contributions
Apr 2016
Hidden in the hills above Escondido is Dixon Lake. It is a great local park featuring hiking, camping, fishing and picnicing. The lake has produced some record bass and is regularly stocked with trout by the City of Escondido. Nominal fee per car to get in but the park is well worth it. If you camp there, you will enjoy great views of Escondido at night! No swimming since this is part of the aqueduct water system; but the lake has boats for rental. Each year in April and November, there are trout derbies sponsored by the city and also Hidden Valley Club Foundation.
Written 3 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JOHN334188
San Marcos, CA38 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
In April 2014 I went fishing here for the first time. I ended up with no fish and a 46 dollar parking ticket. Fishing is poor. I have 55 plus years of fishing experience. At Dixon lake i tried to catch fish with nightcrawlers, a major brand of floating bait and a silver lure for six hours. I never got even a bite and never caught a fish in that 6 hours.!! They gave me a 46 dollar parking ticket for parking in a SIGNED PRIMITIVE AREA behind two other vehicles, on a semi- paved,semi- dirt un-repaired road. There are NO signs that show valid permitted parking in the Primitive Area. I parked under trees for shade leaving VERY AMPLE room for any possible traffic. The road here is about 45 feet wide.!! Some (FEW) parking signs in this primitive area have " arrows" to indicate DO NOT PARK, BUT most signs do not have arrows.. There is VERY poor signage in the Primitive Area in my opinion!! This is a major PARKING TRAP in my opinion and I have over 50 years of driving experience with no parking tickets for maybe 25 years. Roads in this Primitive Area appear to be NOT REPAIRED for maybe 40 years with uncountable rough potholes. Not good for your vehicle. Also, another car about 3 pm was parked directly in front of a NO PARKING sign , 200 feet from my vehicle. And that car was also parking directly in front of a water hydrant !! There is no water at or very close to the picnic tables and giant squirrels are everywhere in the picnic area. It is a little bit upsetting to see so many fat squirrels. I am a USO volunteer and served drinks and food to warriors at Camp Pendleton in early 2014. I am a good citizen but I cannot recommend Dixon lake.
Written 1 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kudoku_11
Escondido, CA110 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
Beautiful place, but found out "NO DOGS ALLOWED" inside this facility and we were really dissapointed, so as our pup....
Written 29 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dylan S
Escondido, California, United States1 contribution
Jan 2013 • Couples
Went to camp and ended up sitting in the cold dark after the Ranger forced us to put out the fire. They do allow charcoal but that puts off little heat and practically no light. We started with charcoal but quickly turned to wood as charcoal is garbage for a campfire and quickly went out. Most terrible camping experience ever. Camping is zero fun without fire! No heat, cold marshmallows and darkness; thanks allot city of Escondido.
PS: the lake is nice but the fish seemed under stocked and No Swimming.
PS: the lake is nice but the fish seemed under stocked and No Swimming.
Written 8 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelmedia
Escondido, CA48 contributions
Known for it's bass fishing, Dixon Lake is located in the outskirts of Escondido; even some locals don't know about it. The lake is actually a man made reservoir, so swimming is not allowed, though you can rent boats and fish there. The lake is small, but at one time the "world's largest" Bass was caught/released here, leading many to seek her out. (She went belly up just a few weeks ago unfortunately). The Lake still has a lot to offer the casual fisherman or those looking for a quick outdoor activity. You can tool around the lake or get off at one of the many banks that surround the lake and have lunch under the trees. The lake offers a campground as well as cabins and is adjacent to an Oak park and Daley Ranch (great for hiking).
Written 13 May 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeannej77
San Marcos, CA114 contributions
Jul 2017
Nestled in the hills of Escondido, this beautiful man made lake provides visitors with many happy surprises. You can fish, rent small boats including paddle boats, hike, picnic, etc. staff is very friendly and helpful. There is a snack bar and other amenities are available. It is quiet, family friendly, and fun!
Written 21 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeremy M
San Miguel, CA1 contribution
Aug 2015 • Solo
I fished there on 8/21/15. I found the place to be clean and well kept. I rented one of their reasonably priced motor boats for a day of fishing. The boat was powered by a 12v battery and a trolling motor. This was my only problem. When the winds pick up in the afternoon it becomes very hard to get back to the dock. Other than that it was a pleasant experience. There are fish in this lake. It's just hard to catch them. I don't know why people need to give this lake a bad review due to their lack of limits. It's why they call it fishing and not catching.
Written 24 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaidynsmama
1 contribution
Apr 2013 • Friends
My husband went fishing for a day with his boss. They didn't start until 9:00 am they stayed until 5:00pm and all they got was a sunburn. So when my darlinf husband told me , I knew I could do it better...LOL So the next Saturday morning we got up at 4am went to Walmart got many kinds of bait we got 6 types of line and multiple lures and sunblock...and off we went. We got to Dixon at 6am ready to fish my dh boss came also...we sat there all day!!! Two bites..and they escaped the hook both times. The license office says that they are not fed, yet the fish are not interested in bait, lures or marshmallows!!! This review is not about my pride, this is a typical experience at lake Dixon...just ask the locals
Written 19 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No its free to get in and to park. It is worth the visit
Written 21 June 2018
You may not, to my knowledge, use any craft of your own. You fish from shore, or from one of their rental boats. Use their Facebook page, or website, or just call the lake to confirm--that would be the easiest, just call them.
Written 29 January 2017
Showing results 1-4 of 4
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing