The dude and I came to lake Ming in Bakersfield on 05/07/22 for a Choctaw event as the dude is part Choctaw Indian and got invited to come out. The event is open to anyone and people from all over the country flew in for the event. It was my first time to Lake Ming and it was pleasant it was pretty empty on the lake and mostly everyone was up the hill at the event. They had food vendors, native music and games so it was a fun time. It was pretty hot too! There were some people fishing and swimming in the lake and we saw a group of young boys doing donuts and racing in the parking lot which was so dangerous! The lake is very beautiful and clean surroundings and they even have camp grounds too! Overall, it was a lovely experience here and I would love to come back. It was a very nice relaxing day at the lake and meeting Choctaw families and the community! read more

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I know, I know what was I thinking heading here on Easter Sunday?! Ugh, the things you do for family. It was a beautiful day for celebrating but I just had a couple of gripes from this trip. 1) we had to reserve a campsite. I get it...it's a holiday, BUT we didn't get to check in to our reserved site until 2pm! WTH?! The line was about a mile long just to check in! 2) THE RESTROOMS!!! Park restrooms are all typically gross but this was absolutely disgusting! I'm not placing all the blame on rangers, as I know they can only do so much, but the womens restrooms were deplorable! Sanitary napkins strewn about, mats congregating in the sinks, dimly lit, toilets overflowing, no TP, just disgusting! 3) The rangers were handing out tickets like their lives depended on it. Again, I get it but if I pull into my reserved site and you see me actively carrying stuff to/from my vehicle, calm down on shooing me away! I would like to say that we will not go back, but I already know I'll be right there mad as heck next year at Easter.... read more

This is a beautiful little gem in Bakersfield! The pandemic has changed so many things, but it has also opened my eyes to how beautiful the lake and river that surrounds Kern county is. There are a couple wonderful trails that are flat enough for the whole family to enjoy! read more

Lake Ming - Lakes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

Ok we went here in early February on a fishing whim after reading the fishing report. To our surprise it was a hidden treasure, although we froze our butts off. It was clean, uncrowded, nice shoreline and was stocked as mentioned in the fish report. The lake at the other end of the county was our go to place to trout fish, but it is a pretty dirty lake and charge, this place is free! We even caught fish which we shared with a couple whom we visited with who seemed to be regulars who gave us some tips about the place. We were not disappointed at all, catching fish, clean grounds, clean lake and free of charge what a nice day! So anyone that wants a good place to take your family fishing, I give this place a thumbs up! read more

Lake Ming - Lakes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

do not go swimming at this lake the signs are up for a reason!! this is what we found on our first time going there read more

Lake Ming - Water worms - Lakes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

My Uzi weighs a ton. When looking for music for the drive down to see my family I found a Public Enemy CD that used to belong to my ex-wife. I can't remember exactly why I have it but I figured it might keep me alert for my drive down I-5 and threw it into my car case. After being in a room with 20 screaming children for about three hours, my niece's birthday party, I needed some alone time and went for a drive. This is how I found myself at Lake Ming listening to the hardest gangster rap 1987 had to offer. Lake Ming is a small, almost round, man-made lake to the east of Bakersfield. It's used almost exclusively for water skiing with some spots set up for fishing but swimming is prohibited. From: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/parks/ming.asp "Water skiers are at risk of developing an itchy rash from parasites in Lake Ming's untreated waters." As a kid we used to come here most weekends during the summer to ski and I don't ever remember anyone caring about parasites but it was a different era and people didn't coddle their children like delicate hot house flowers then. My favorite trick when I was 12 was to come in real close, drop the rope, and aim right for the shore jumping out of the ski's at the last second and landing on the grass. This lake used to be out in the boonies but with the rapid expansion of Bakersfield over the last 20 years Lake Ming is now right in town. read more

Lake Ming - Lakes Near Me - Bakersfield, California

So tired of this place I just want a nice little late to take the family out on sundays do some kayaking and fishing but the rules of this place are crazy. First off everyone fishes were they want and leave trash everywhere but I go to let my kids try the new kayak and the rangers are on us like white on rice and tell us kayaks only get one weekend a month and two days a week after 1:30 to get on the lake.(literally no boats were on the lake that day ) then I get yelled at because you can fish but not from a boat u can't fish if your standing in the water and you cannot fish at the boating dock even if no boats are present. This place sucks if you value your time go somewhere else the fish never really bit at lake Ming anyway I'm sure the one that do get caught are pulled in in the no fish zone in the back side of the lake. Waste of time and land. read more

What is there not to generally like about Lake Ming and the nice river, perfect for tubing? It's a public area, so costs nothing, which is always great. In a world where you're paying $100 per person in a family to go to Dinseyland or Magic Mountain, just to stand in lines for 30+ minutes to get on a ride that lasts less than 3 minutes... it's refreshing to know there's great affordable and fun options in the great outdoors for entertainment (and good exercise too). A tubing adventure down the river is thousands of times more exciting than anything at "California Adventure" and is a way more enriching experience, especially for kids to interact with the reality of nature. The creative wonderment nature provides is much more enriching than any man-made ride or attraction. There's no predictability, and it's that random "what's next?" that'll always make a trip different and unique. There's fishing, camping, BBQ'ing, swimming, rafting/tubing, and even panning for gold (I saw some prospectors on the river bed). Overall it feels like a family friendly atmosphere, 'tho once we did go down the river to pass by some friendly nudists skinny dipping and on the shore there's usually a few friendly drinking parties as well as some urban families n' friends that gather whom might look intimidating to suburbanites. I've never seen trouble nor drama here. Parking is easy and this is accessible from Los Angeles, a 2-3 hr drive albeit, but still a good place for family. Be smart 'tho, buy a life jacket and proper water shoes if you're going on top or into the water for everyone as insurance, it's better to be safe than sorry. read more

Get here early if you wanna get a good spot with a tree. Either way if you have a canopy then your good lol. Also the lake isn't deep really so you won't drown. P.S if you hate bees and ants then don't go cause it's packed with them, especially if you have sweet stuff near by. read more

A beautiful lake surrounded by hills and away from the histle and bustle of Bakersfield. The lake itself is beautiful eith plenty of picnic areas, parking and a playground. The bathrooms aren't the best, but not terrible in the time of need. People swim in the lake and also fish. It's a really pretty area for a nice bbq or picnic. They also have a lot of hiking trails and trail running for runners. read more

I love lake Ming . Usually I go during the week to fish and hang out and it's never crowded. Not sure what's up with the fish though because I've only caught one all 4 times I been there . They don't charge a fee to get in and I think it's even free to take your boat. read more

Great Lake we love coming here to relax, walk an fish haven't caught anything here yet but soon hopefully lol

Went fishing here this weekend. Was alot of fun, caught some blue gill, saw a big small mouth bass swimming along the shore line. I love that it is free to park and enjoy yourself. Pretty lake good scenery all around. I would give 5 stars but there was a lot of trash in the boat launching area, it was pretty gross, but the rest of the lake was pretty nice. read more

Came to go swimming and have a picnic like many others who were around but got yelled at by a patrol car telling everyone they can't swim and that inflatables aren't allowed. She said it's a $100 fine for the person and the floaty. Smh there should be days or times where people should be able to swim it's Bakersfield!! read more

Good place to enjoy a weekend evening with the family and have a barbeque. This lake is planted with trout during the fall for the season, and thrives with carp, bass, and catfish during the summer time. Nearby campsite that parallels the Kern river as well! Have fun! read more

Nice little lake for the peacefulness but they do not allow any swimming. They have lots of nice shade trees surrounding the lake and it is quite a calm place in the morning. Different days they allow different water sports so be sure to check their website before you take your boat. They do not allow any jet skis. read more