Middle Lake-Golden Gate Park
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Middle Lake is located on Chain of Lakes Drive between John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr Drive, in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Starting Point: The easiest starting point is at the trailhead near the intersection of Chain of Lakes Drive and John F Kennedy Drive.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Park info link (San Francisco Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-guide/
Golden Gate Park info link (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
Golden Gate Park Points of Interest (SF Rec and Parks): https://sfrecpark.org/1116/Golden-Gate-Park-Points-of-Interest
Golden Gate Park by car (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
Golden Gate Park public transportation (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1618/Getting-to-Golden-Gate-Park-by-Car
Golden Gate Park free shuttle (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1617/Golden-Gate-Park-Free-Shuttle
Golden Gate Park visitors map (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/7301/Golden-Gate-Park-Visitors-Map
Distance:
The Middle Lake loop is officially noted as 0.44 miles, but there are miles of trails available within Golden Gate Park to make for a longer walk.
Considerations:
• There is parking along John F. Kennedy Drive.
• Toilet facilities are available nearby at North Lake and also at the Fly Fishing Pond (Golden Gate Angling and Casting) clubhouse.
• For those using public transportation, check out https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
• San Francisco’s weather ranges between chilly fog and hot sun, often in the same day. Wear layers.
• Golden Gate Park is in a large city, but it is also home to coyote, fox, hawks, and other wildlife. Heed signs about wildlife and other health and safety notices.
• There is no charge for visiting Middle Lake.
The trail:
Middle Lake is the middle of three lakes along Chain of Lakes Drive at the western end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It underwent a several year restoration from a dried up marshy area to a carefully landscaped lake lined with wooden fences and featuring highlights like a waterfall and creek.
North Lake across John F Kennedy Drive to the north also underwent a renovation to clear up lake debris. South Lake to the south is the smallest lake in the chain and has yet to undergo a major restoration.
The Middle Lake restoration had people fenced off from the area for a very long time. As a person who likes rough, natural trails more than polished, landscaped trails as a rule, I was a bit dubious of how well the restored lake would be designed.
I was pleasantly surprised at how aesthetically pleasing the trail and scenery design is. There are several informative trail signs dotted along the walkway, with the trailhead sign stating that the Middle Lake loop walk is 0.44 miles.
Starting from the trailhead near the Chain of Lakes and JFK Drive intersection, the opening view of the lake is stunning with small islands, curved lake edges, and a variety of flower colors highlighting the edges of the trail. Walkers are drawn along by charming wooden fences in some parts, and are invited to walk up a gradually inclining trail highlighted by a creek and shallow waterfalls that lead walkers to the Fly Fishing Pond, though I’m not sure if this extension off the loop is counted within the 0.44 miles of the loop walk.
Reconnecting to the main loop after the side excursion to the Fly Fishing Pond, walkers get an ever-changing view of the contours of Middle Lake, with trees and clouds reflected in the water on calm days. The far side of the loop back along Chain of Lakes Drive features what I thought were the most stunning views of the lake, artfully framed by trees. This is a short walk, but makes for a refreshing change of scenery, with a couple of spots that even gave me a momentary Yosemite vibe, all right in a major city.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other hikes in this part of Golden Gate Park are noted in Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park, Mallard Lake-Golden Gate Park, Lloyd Lake-Golden Gate Park Stroll, Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park, Queen Wilhelmina Garden, and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Hike Search by Area page.
(Middle Lake-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Urban Oasis” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Middle Lake is located on Chain of Lakes Drive between John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr Drive, in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Starting Point: The easiest starting point is at the trailhead near the intersection of Chain of Lakes Drive and John F Kennedy Drive.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Golden Gate Park info link (San Francisco Rec and Park):
https://sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golden-gate-park-guide/
Golden Gate Park info link (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/770/Golden-Gate-Park
Golden Gate Park Points of Interest (SF Rec and Parks): https://sfrecpark.org/1116/Golden-Gate-Park-Points-of-Interest
Golden Gate Park by car (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
Golden Gate Park public transportation (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1618/Getting-to-Golden-Gate-Park-by-Car
Golden Gate Park free shuttle (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/1617/Golden-Gate-Park-Free-Shuttle
Golden Gate Park visitors map (SF Rec and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/DocumentCenter/View/7301/Golden-Gate-Park-Visitors-Map
Distance:
The Middle Lake loop is officially noted as 0.44 miles, but there are miles of trails available within Golden Gate Park to make for a longer walk.
Considerations:
• There is parking along John F. Kennedy Drive.
• Toilet facilities are available nearby at North Lake and also at the Fly Fishing Pond (Golden Gate Angling and Casting) clubhouse.
• For those using public transportation, check out https://sfrecpark.org/1619/Public-Transportation-to-Golden-Gate-Par
• San Francisco’s weather ranges between chilly fog and hot sun, often in the same day. Wear layers.
• Golden Gate Park is in a large city, but it is also home to coyote, fox, hawks, and other wildlife. Heed signs about wildlife and other health and safety notices.
• There is no charge for visiting Middle Lake.
The trail:
Middle Lake is the middle of three lakes along Chain of Lakes Drive at the western end of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. It underwent a several year restoration from a dried up marshy area to a carefully landscaped lake lined with wooden fences and featuring highlights like a waterfall and creek.
North Lake across John F Kennedy Drive to the north also underwent a renovation to clear up lake debris. South Lake to the south is the smallest lake in the chain and has yet to undergo a major restoration.
The Middle Lake restoration had people fenced off from the area for a very long time. As a person who likes rough, natural trails more than polished, landscaped trails as a rule, I was a bit dubious of how well the restored lake would be designed.
I was pleasantly surprised at how aesthetically pleasing the trail and scenery design is. There are several informative trail signs dotted along the walkway, with the trailhead sign stating that the Middle Lake loop walk is 0.44 miles.
Starting from the trailhead near the Chain of Lakes and JFK Drive intersection, the opening view of the lake is stunning with small islands, curved lake edges, and a variety of flower colors highlighting the edges of the trail. Walkers are drawn along by charming wooden fences in some parts, and are invited to walk up a gradually inclining trail highlighted by a creek and shallow waterfalls that lead walkers to the Fly Fishing Pond, though I’m not sure if this extension off the loop is counted within the 0.44 miles of the loop walk.
Reconnecting to the main loop after the side excursion to the Fly Fishing Pond, walkers get an ever-changing view of the contours of Middle Lake, with trees and clouds reflected in the water on calm days. The far side of the loop back along Chain of Lakes Drive features what I thought were the most stunning views of the lake, artfully framed by trees. This is a short walk, but makes for a refreshing change of scenery, with a couple of spots that even gave me a momentary Yosemite vibe, all right in a major city.
Those wishing to take a longer hike have plenty of options. Other hikes in this part of Golden Gate Park are noted in Bison, Fly Fishing and Horses-Golden Gate Park, Metson Lake-Golden Gate Park, Elk Glen Lake-Golden Gate Park, Mallard Lake-Golden Gate Park, Lloyd Lake-Golden Gate Park Stroll, Spreckels Lake-Golden Gate Park, Queen Wilhelmina Garden, and other Hike Notes under San Francisco in the Hike Search by Area page.
(Middle Lake-Golden Gate Park Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Urban Oasis” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
