Center Lake

Swimming and fishing are allowed here, and boats must run at slow, no-wake speed. The swim beach has no lifeguards. Dogs aren't allowed on designated swimming beaches, and jumping or diving from rocks or cliffs into park lakes is prohibited. The lakeside complex has a picnic area and shower house; the surrounding campground lists vault toilets and drinking water. No lake-side food counter is listed, so plan to bring food or eat elsewhere.

The lower Lost Trail loop follows the shore for about 1.5 miles; the upper loop climbs about 1 mile to an overlook. The trail system is rated moderate, and allow two to four hours if you want to do both. Poison ivy is common along these routes, so long pants are a sensible choice. For a lake photo, keep a strip of rocky shore at the bottom of the frame and the pine-covered far bank across the water; that gives the lake a sense of scale.

The Lost Trails are believed to have been hand-built by Civilian Conservation Corps crews in the 1930s. They were forgotten for decades before sections were uncovered and restored. Look for the old stone staircases and stone-lined paths as you walk; they give the route its strongest historical detail.

The separate Grace Coolidge Trail starts at the Center Lake spillway and follows the creek valley for 2.3 miles one way. It's rated easy to moderate, crosses the creek several times and passes six low-head dams that form deep pools used for trout fishing. Count on 4.6 miles if you walk out and back to the spillway.