Pets allowed
Allowed
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

For many considering using Barton Flats, Lobo - Oso, San Gorgonio, or Heart Bar Campgrounds as a higher-altitude getaway in Barton Flats Recreation Area, Jenks Lake can be a definite deciding factor. Nestled into the San Bernardino National  Forest at 6,739 feet and only a mile from Barton Flats Campground, this mountain lake is very well visited in the summertime—and for good reason.

Even though it’s man made, Jenks Lake is fed in part by the Santa Ana River, which it receives by way of a flume. There are no motorboats allowed, but canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and float tubes are a go. There is a long wooden ramp from which to launch your watercraft, but be aware that you’ll have to walk it down a few stairs first.

A big draw for Jenks Lake is the excellent fishing. It’s stocked in the spring and summer with rainbow trout, and the best time to catch them is between April and October. Largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish and catfish are also fun targets for anglers. For those that prefer river fishing, the Santa Ana River is accessible from the campground and is an excellent place to cast flies for trout.

If you plan to fish, be sure to stop in Angelus Oaks to grab a license—because fishing is so popular at the lake, there are frequent checks. There is no license requirement for kids aged 16 and younger. The limit to trout is five per day, though it seems as though most people have the best luck with largemouth bass.

There are picnic tables scattered about for use as well as well-maintained vault toilets. Be prepared to pay the general use fee of $5 in cash when you arrive. If you plan to visit during a peak weekend, be sure to arrive early—Jenks Lake is a popular day trip for Redlands locals.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Fishing pier. Stocked twice monthly with rainbow trout.

Cons

Swimming and boats prohibited.

Features

Flushing toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
Fishing

Location

Nearby Adventures

San Gabriel + San Bernardino Mountains, California

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

05/26/2020
No paddle boarding is allowed!! Based on this entry, I took my inflatable board up; I was yelled at by a ranger AFTER I pumped it up and got all the gear ready and was walking to the lake. Please do not post false information and update the entry to very explicitly state that paddle boarding is not allowed. The reason they give is "for your safety."
08/19/2019
The lake is FULL of lake weeds, it’s very difficult to fish when it’s so thick!! Who is responsible for dredging it ?
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