Full Review: Lake Chabot Marina Park

Look for the large wooden LAKE CHABOT MARINA sign off of Lake Chabot Road.  You can park on Lake Chabot Road for free or turn into the park and pay $5 for parking inside the park.  The marina is to the left of the parking lot.   This review covers a flat, four mile hike (two miles out and back) on the East Shore trail. This trail is paved and connects to the dirt Cameron loop trail briefly and then turns into the dirt Live Oak Trail after the bridge.  There is an opportunity to wander in another direction about one half of a mile from the start of the East Shore Trail via the Indian Cove Trail (for hikers and equestrians only) which is a dirt trail that goes uphill.  The East Shore Trail is shared by runners, hikers and bicyclists. There are multiple restrooms in the park, including the marina and along the trail (portable toilets).  The marina has a cafe.

 

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       Turn off into the park                          Park sign

 

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      Kiosk at park entrance              Restroom by the marina

 

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      Peddle boats for rent

 

As you enter the park, head to your right to start on the East Shore Trail to follow the lake perimeter in a counterclockwise direction.  There is a stretching and exercise area. There are a few picnic and BBQ areas along the way. 

 

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            Stretching area                         Drinking fountain

 

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                                         Picnic areas

 

Along the trail, there are many places to either take a stairway or dirt trail down the hill to the water to reach a dock or a dirt area so you can pull out your fishing pole and start catching some fish.  The lake is very popular for fishing.

 

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              Fishing dock                           Fishing on shore

 

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            View of the lake                             Fishing boat

 

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    Double poled fisherman

 

The East Shore Trail has plenty of views of the lake and lots of wildlife especially birds.  The park district takes care that there are enough portable toilets, garbages and benches along the trail.

 

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            East Shore trail

 

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                                        Lake views

 

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                    Duck                                         Lake view

 

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              Portable toilet                                  Bench

  

You will meet up with other pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers along the trail.

 

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                  Bicyclists                                 Fishermen

 
After about 1.5 miles, there is a dirt trail on your right with a sign indicating it is the path to Racoon Point.  We stayed on the East Shore trail.  At one corner of the lake, there are circular grass patches.

 

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       Trail to Racoon point                      Jogger

 

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                  Wildlife                            Circular grass patches

 

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       Park bench

 

Just before the bridge, the paved trail turns into dirt, and you meet up with the Cameron loop trail.  Follow the signs to the bridge.  Bicyclists must dismount their bicycles to cross the bridge and horses are not allowed on the bridge but follow along beneath it. The bridge takes to you to Live Oak Trail.  If there is a lot of rain, it is likely that the ground underneath the bridge gets very wet and may even fill up with water.  At this point, it is about two miles and you can continue around the lake for the approximately 10 mile loop back to your starting point or turn around and re-trace your steps.

 

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         Cameron loop trail

 

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                  Bridge to the Live Oak Trail

 

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                  Fishing