Everything You Need to Know About Castaic Lake, California
Last Updated: October 3, 2023
Are you trying to find the best places to kayak near Los Angeles? We are always looking for new places to throw our kayak into the water, and we recently tried out Castaic Lake and loved it. About an hour drive from Los Angeles, Castaic Lake is a great place to kayak around a peaceful lake with mountain views and enjoy the sunshine. Castaic Lake is part of Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, which contains multiple campgrounds, docks, and swim areas.
Further, Castaic Lake is part of the California State Water Project, which is a collection of reservoirs, canals, and pipelines designed to bring clean water to Californians. Castaic Lake includes 2 lakes and a dam. Overall, we were delighted to find this kayaking spot in nature so close to LA.
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Everything You Need to Know About Castaic Lake: Table of Contents
- What should I do at Castaic Lake?
- What is Castaic Lake famous for?
- What has been filmed at Castaic Lake?
- Is there parking at Castaic Lake?
- Is there street parking near Castaic Lake?
- How much does parking cost at Castaic Lake?
- Is Castaic Lake free?
- Are there bathrooms at Castaic Lake?
- How crowded is Castaic Lake?
- Is there food or water at Castaic Lake?
- Is it safe to swim at Castaic Lake?
- Is Castaic Lake dog friendly?
What should I do at Castaic Lake?
Castaic Lake offers visitors a lake for swimming, fishing, boating, jet skiing, kayaking, and canoeing, as well as picnic areas with grills, and campsites for camping! However, Castaic Lake has two sections—called the “Upper Lake” and the “Lagoon.”
The Upper Lake is much bigger and is for speedy, gasoline-powered boats, such as jet skis and fishing boats. The lower lake—the Lagoon—is smaller and utilized for non-gasoline boats, like kayaks and canoes. The Lagoon contains a swim section with a sandy beach and playgrounds, as well as a launch ramp for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes.
What is Castaic Lake famous for?
Firstly, Castaic Lake is a massive water reservoir that actually supplies water to Californians. Did you know Castaic Lake is “stocked” with fish? This means that fish are brought in for the enjoyment of this fishing community.
What has been filmed at Castaic Lake?
According to IMDB, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Fear Factor, and Ted Bundy all have scenes taking place at Castaic Lake.
Is there parking at Castaic Lake?
There is plenty of parking at Castaic Lake. Near the boat ramp in the lagoon there is a spacious lot with lots of parking. Whether you have a truck, a van, a boat or a jet ski, you’re sure to find a spot! If you’re going to the swim area on the other side of the lagoon, there is also a very spacious parking lot, but you have to walk a bit to the beach from the lot.
Is there street parking near Castaic Lake?
We did not see any ‘street parking’ at castaic lake, however it is not necessary due to ample parking available in the lots.
How much does parking cost at Castaic Lake?
Castaic lake charges a fee for entering with a vehicle for $12 per day. However, Castaic lake prices vary depending on the type of vehicle. For instance, an RV will cost you $14 a day whereas a bus will cost you $35 a day.
If you plan on kayaking at Castaic Lake, you will also be charged a fee per kayak (or paddleboard or boat). For instance, we brought 2 kayaks to Castaic Lake and paid $9 for each, totaling $18 for both. Combined with the $12 vehicle entry fee, we spent $30 in total to bring two kayaks into Castaic Lake. If you have non-conventional vehicles, check on LA County’s Parks & Rec site.
Is Castaic Lake free?
No, as mentioned above, Castaic Lake charges a fee for entering with a vehicle of $12 per day, plus additional fees for any boat you bring.
Are there bathrooms at Castaic Lake?
Yes, there are multiple bathrooms at Castaic Lake. The bathrooms include stalls with flush toilets, along with sinks and hand dryers.
How crowded is Castaic Lake?
Castaic Lake is massive in size, so it doesn’t feel crowded, even on a day with many visitors. Also, visitors at Castaic Lake are engaged in different activities, such as fishing, swimming, and boating, so everyone is able to do their own thing without stepping on each other. We never felt that people were crowding in on us while we were there.
Is there food or water at Castaic Lake?
There are no concession stands or food being sold at Castaic Lake. Although there were water fountains, the ones we happened to try were not working when we visited Castaic Lake in August 2023. So be sure to bring plenty of water to Castaic Lake to stay hydrated.
Is it safe to swim at Castaic Lake?
Yes! Castaic Lake’s lagoon is the perfect swimming spot during the summer season when there are lifeguards on duty. However, do not swim at Castaic Lake’s upper lake, as it can be dangerous due to the high speed boats and gasoline-powered boats.
Is Castaic Lake dog friendly?
Yes and no. Castaic Lake is mostly dog friendly. You can bring your dog with you on your kayak at the lower lake, via the boat ramp. However, dogs are not allowed at the swim beach on the opposite side of the lake. Make sure to keep your pup leashed and on the trail and picnic areas only.
Plus, watch out for algal blooms, sometimes LA county has an algal bloom advisory. Some algal blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to people and pets. Learn more and verify before visiting!
Other things to know before kayaking at Castaic Lake:
Make sure your boat is dry. The employees at Castaic lake will check your kayaks upon entering the park to ensure that your kayak is dry. They will not let you in if your kayak is wet. This rule is to ensure that the lake is not contaminated by outside water. So make sure you rinse your kayak off and have it dry before bringing your kayak to Castaic Lake. As seen on their site, “All boats and non-motorized watercraft will be inspected prior to launching.”
If you’re looking for other fun things to do in LA County check out our article, 30 ways to fall in love with travel in Los Angeles.