Why the Best:
Millerton Lake is a well-maintained hiking trail destination in Fresno, CA. The park has over 40 miles of shoreline for water sports. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. The hills surrounding the lake provide excellent hiking opportunities. Wildlife in the park includes ground squirrels, cottontails, mule deer, badgers, and bald and golden eagles. During winter, the park offers special boat tours to view bald eagles. The thousands of acres of water surface area are popular with boaters and fishermen. Locals and out-of-town visitors enjoy the temperate climate, characterized by warm to hot summers and cool winters. This lake park is located near Friant, about 15 miles (24 km) north of downtown Fresno, California.