Everything You Need to Know to Hike the Hollywood Reservoir
Last Updated: August 13, 2023
Complete Guide to the Hollywood Reservoir Trail
Looking for a great hike in LA? The Hollywood Reservoir (also known as “Lake Hollywood”) is the perfect nature escape, right in the heart of Hollywood. Some may consider the Hollywood Reservoir more of a trail walk than a hike, but either way it’s beautiful and worth a visit! The lake is surrounded by many trees and a 3.5-mile trail for walking and biking. The journey along the Hollywood Reservoir will lead you over a dam, called Mulholland Dam, which has been there since 1924. Here we break down everything you need to know to hike the Hollywood Reservoir.
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Everything You Need to Know for the Hollywood Reservoir Hike
- What is the Hollywood Reservoir known for?
- How long is the hike around the Hollywood Reservoir?
- How difficult is the Hollywood Reservoir trail?
- Is there parking at the Hollywood Reservoir?
- How much does parking cost at the Hollywood Reservoir?
- Is the Hollywood Reservoir free?
- What are the hours for the Hollywood Reservoir?
- Are there bathrooms at the Hollywood Reservoir?
- How crowded is the Hollywood Reservoir?
- Is there food or water at the Hollywood Reservoir?
- Can you swim at the Hollywood Reservoir?
- Is the Hollywood Reservoir dog friendly?
What is the Hollywood Reservoir known for?
The Hollywood Reservoir is one of LA’s best kept secret hikes. First, this hike is right in the heart of Hollywood, at the base of the Hollywood Sign. So you do not have to travel far from the city to get a great hike in LA.
Plus, the Hollywood Reservoir trail offers the best views of the Hollywood sign. In fact, if you’re just looking for views of the Hollywood Sign, you can go to the nearby Lake Hollywood Park , and hop out of the car for a photo without walking the whole trail.
The Hollywood Reservoir Trail is a tranquil escape from the hustle of the city. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see a sweet deer on your walk like we did. The deer seemed unphased by our presence, and it was such a treat to see some wildlife within Los Angeles.
How long is the hike around the Hollywood Reservoir?
The trail around the Hollywood Reservoir is a 3.5 mile loop. Walking at a moderate pace, we finished the loop in about an hour and a half.
Also you should note that part of the loop takes you off the trail and onto Lake Hollywood Drive. This threw us off at first, but we saw other people taking the road at Lake Hollywood Drive, so we followed them. After a few minutes, the road brought us back to the reservoir trail and we were able to complete the loop.
How difficult is the Hollywood Reservoir trail?
The Hollywood Reservoir 3.5 mile loop is almost entirely flat, so it is not difficult. This is a great trail for all hiking levels. However, a lot of the walk is not shaded, so the beating sun will wear you out fast! Bring sun protection and lots of water when hiking the Hollywood Reservoir.
Is there parking at the Hollywood Reservoir?
Yes, there is a decent-sized parking lot at the Hollywood Reservoir at the Weidlake Drive entrance. (Just follow the Google Maps directions to the Hollywood Reservoir Trailhead.) This lot probably fits around 20 cars. From this lot, the Hollywood Reservoir trailhead at the top of the lot is obvious, and you’ll quickly see great views of the Hollywood Sign. We came in the middle of the afternoon during the summer, and the lot was almost full, but we easily found a spot.
Another parking option for the Hollywood Reservoir is to park near the reservoir’s North Entrance. You’ll see a lot of free street parking along Lake Hollywood Drive. (Note that the North Entrance doesn’t look particularly inviting – it’s just a chain link fence. But don’t be deterred! It’s still open to the public).
Also, if you park on the side of the Hollywood Reservoir near the North Entrance, it’s worth stopping by Lake Hollywood Park on your way out! This park offers more great views of the Hollywood Sign.
How much does parking cost at the Hollywood Reservoir?
All the parking at the Hollywood Reservoir is free! A California Adventure Pass is not required to park at the Hollywood Reservoir trailhead parking lot. And there is no parking fee at the Hollywood Reservoir. As mentioned above, there is also lots of free street parking along Lake Hollywood Drive at the North Entrance.
Is the Hollywood Reservoir free?
Yes! There is no entrance fee to access the Hollywood Reservoir. So walking the 3.5 mile loop around the Hollywood Reservoir is a great free thing to do in Los Angeles for fun.
What are the hours for the Hollywood Reservoir?
The Hollywood Reservoir opens every day at 6:30am.
The time that the Hollywood Reservoir closes depends on the month. Check out the full Hollywood Reservoir Schedule:
- November – January: Hollywood Reservoir closes at 5:00pm
- March – April: Hollywood Reservoir closes at 6:30pm
- May – August: Hollywood Reservoir closes at 7:30pm
- September – October: Hollywood Reservoir closes at 6:00pm
Are there bathrooms at the Hollywood Reservoir?
No, there are no bathrooms at the Hollywood Reservoir as of July 2023. Google Maps suggests that there is some kind of public bathroom along the Hollywood Reservoir trail, and we read several older blog posts that said there were porta-potties there in the past. But we did not see any bathrooms at the Hollywood Reservoir when we went in July 2023.
How crowded is the Hollywood Reservoir?
When we visited the Hollywood Reservoir in the summer and it did not feel crowded. We did see some people on the trail, but for much of our walk it felt like we had the trail to ourselves. This was surprising given that the parking lot was almost full. And this was part of what made the Hollywood Reservoir so nice – it felt like a big break from the crowds and the noise of the city.
Is there food and water at the Hollywood Reservoir?
There is one water fountain at the trailhead to the Hollywood Reservoir and another water fountain around halfway through. Do fill up your water before starting the 3.5-mile loop. There is not much shade for a lot of the Hollywood Reservoir trail, so you will get dehydrated quickly in the LA sun if you don’t drink water.
But there is no food or concessions at the Hollywood Reservoir. So be sure to bring snacks if you’re going to hang out there for a while.
Can you swim at the Hollywood Reservoir?
No, you cannot swim at the Hollywood Reservoir. In fact, the water is surrounded by a fence, so you cannot even get very close to the water. This is because the Hollywood Reservoir is actually a functioning reservoir, operated by the LA Department of Power and Water, providing water to the city of LA.
Is the Hollywood Reservoir dog friendly?
No, the Hollywood Reservoir is not dog friendly. Unfortunately, you cannot bring dogs or any pets to the Hollywood Reservoir. There are several signs that say “No Pets.” And while some areas in LA tend to be lax about pet rules, that didn’t seem to be the case at the Hollywood Reservoir. We did not see anyone with dogs at the Hollywood Reservoir, so people seem to be abiding by the no-pets rule.
Overall, we loved the Hollywood Reservoir as a day hike in Los Angeles. It’s a perfect getaway for a few hours in nature. We highly recommend checking out the Hollywood Reservoir in LA! But remember, the Hollywood Reservoir one of the best kept secrets in LA, so you didn’t hear it from us.
If you’re looking for more adventures in Los Angeles, check out our top 30 fun things to do LA.
And while you’re exploring, here are a few other top-rated experiences nearby in Hollywood: