Discovery Center

Welcome to the Lodi Lake Discovery Center! Step inside and immerse yourself in the wonders of the Mokelumne River ecosystem. Get up close with impressive taxidermy displays of local wildlife, from majestic birds of prey to elusive foxes and opossums. Marvel at the egg collections, examine animal track castings, and pore over fascinating historical photographs that reveal Lodi Lake's rich past.

Since 1986, docents (volunteer educators) have shared their passion for nature with thousands of visitors through guided tours starting at this treasured educational hub. This building was originally a summer snack bar (famous for its frozen Milky Way bars!) before being offered to the docents in the 1980s for their nature education program. While the docent program is no longer active today, their legacy lives on through the center's extensive natural history collection and educational displays. Here on a weekend? Stop by to plan your lake adventure with detailed trail maps and discover the fascinating creatures that call our lake home. Open weekends, and admission is free!