General Information

Lake Cunningham's acres of open space and 50-acre lake offer something for everyone. Tackle the par course - perfect for jogging or walking. Bring your own volleyball and horseshoes for the perfect barbecue picnic, and grab your rollerblades for a lakeshore cruise. Lake Cunningham is also home to Raging Waters.

• Hours: 8 a.m. to half-hour after sunset
• Acreage: 203
• Council District: 4
• Contact Information
  • Park Operations & Ranger Staff: 408-794-7577
  • Permits & Reservations: 408-794-7275
  • Skate Park: 408-794-7579 
  • Raging Waters: 408-238-9900

Picnic Areas

This location both reservable and non-reservable picnic areas. Non-reservable picnic areas are occupied at a first-come, first-serve basis.

Reservation permit holders must arrive at the reservation site on the date reserved prior to 10:00 a.m. and remain at the site with a copy of the approved picnic application. The site will be opened to the public for general use at 10:00 a.m. if the reservation holder is not present. An adult representative from the group must be present at all times.

Visit the picnic areas' individual pages to view its amenities and fees:

• Alder Leaf
• Alder Leaf North
• Alder Leaf South
• Cascade
• Cypress Pavilion
• Marina
• Meadows End
• Ruby Creek
• Silver Creek

PICNIC RESERVATIONS >

Park Map

Parking fees

Effective April 1, 2021, City of San José Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) will resume paid parking at regional parks and destinations.

All city payment machines will display multilingual signage reminding customers to wear a mask and maintain a safe distance from others while paying. Employees will follow safe cash handling procedures as well as routine machine cleaning.

Parking fees are $6 per day, and subject to change as normal operations resume. Discount cards and hang tags issued from April 2019 through March 2020 will be honored to receive a full year of value. When the Leininger Community Center reopens, the Department will begin issuing new hangtags and discount cards.

Parking fees are collected daily. Each automated machine accepts exact cash (change is not dispensed) and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card). Parking space is not guaranteed and re-entry may not be allowed when space is unavailable. Annual passes honored at Alum Rock Park, Lake Cunningham, Almaden Lake, Kelley Park and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.

For more information on parking, contact Parks at 408-794-6504.

Amenities

FIND A REC CLASS >

• Sports/Activities:
  • Lake Cunningham Trail
  • Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park
• Youth Playground:
  • Playground ages 2-5
• Restrooms: Yes. Located near the reservable group areas except Meadows End. 
• Telephones: Located at Parking Lot C restroom, and some are located at front entrance of Raging Water. 
• Parking: Parking lot
• Boating and Swimming: Not permitted
• Nearby Facilities:
  • Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park
  • Raging Waters

Rules and Regulations

• Photo permits are required for all commercial photo shoots. This includes professional wedding photographers.
• General Rules:
  1. Loud radios are prohibited in all areas except Cypress Pavilion.
  2. Beer and wine are allowed in picnic areas only; no hard liquor.
  3. Dogs are allowed on a leash. No other animals are permitted this includes ponies. Ponies are allowed only at Alum Rock Park.
  4. Picnic areas must be left clean.
  5. Air jumper with City-approved vendor is permitted at reservable picnic sites upon approval by Parks Division office.
  6. Dunk tanks are not allowed.
  7. Helium balloons, kites and drones are not allowed.
  8. Party/Costume characters are not allowed to collect money on City property.
  9. Smoking is not allowed in City of San José parks.
  10. Events are not allowed in the parking lots.
  11. All San José Municipal Codes and State laws apply. 

REPORT A CONCERN >

Additional Resources

• Lake Cunningham Regional Park Brochure
• Lake Cunningham Map
• Lake Cunningham Rules & Regulations
• Lake Cunningham Picnic Area Fees