Pyramid Lake Recreation

Updated July 15, 2025: Pyramid Lake’s Emigrant Landing swim beach in Los Angeles County is closed due to a warning algal bloom advisory. Vaquero swim beach has a caution advisory and remains open. For algal blooms updates, go to the Algal Blooms page. Effective until March 1, 2026 per U.S. Forest Service order, Pyramid Lake Recreation Area has several fire restrictions, including campfires and wood/charcoal BBQ are only allowed at designated USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings and grills. For more guidelines, visit U.S. Forest Service website. Yellowbar boat-in picnic area will remain closed until Summer 2027 due to Post Fire damage repairs. Invasive golden mussels have been discovered in some State Water Project (SWP) reservoirs. When recreating in SWP waterways, remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat to help us protect California’s water supply system and the environment. For more information about mussels, visit water.ca.gov/mussels.

Pyramid Lake, located in the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests, is a reservoir formed by Pyramid Dam on Piru Creek, near Castaic, California. It is a hot spot for outdoor recreation and attracts thousands of visitors each year who soak up the sun and take in the lake's scenic beauty.

The 386-foot-tall earth and rock dam was completed in 1973 and named after a pyramid-shaped rock carved out by engineers building the Old Highway 99. Pyramid Lake spans 1,360 acres with depths of 700 feet and 21 miles of shoreline.

The lake provides storage for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Castaic Powerplant. Additionally, it offers a number of outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Vista del Lago Visitor Center offers free admission and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The building offers a viewing deck with a panoramic view of Pyramid Lake and the surrounding mountains. Located off Interstate 5, north of Santa Clarita, take the Vista del Lago exit.

For more information about the Vista del Lago Visitor Center, call 661-944-8740.

For more information about the Pyramid Dam Modernization Program, visit our web page.

DWR regularly monitors SWP reservoirs for harmful algal blooms. For current conditions, visit DWR's algal bloom webpage.

Lake Access and Recreation

Pyramid Lake is a hub for a variety of recreational activities including camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, and swimming.

Visitors can access the lake at Emigrant Landing by using the Smokey Bear Road off-ramp from I-5. Emigrant Landing is the largest recreation area in Pyramid Lake and has a marina with boat rentals, an eight-lane boat launching ramp, a beach, and several picnic areas.

Vaquero Beach, a day-use area, is an easy access point for picnicking, swimming, and beach access.

For more Pyramid Lake recreation information, call 661-295-7155.

Boating

The lake is open year-round to boating and offers unique beaches and picnic sites that are only reachable by boat at Spanish Point, Bear Trap, Yellowbar, and Serrano. These beaches provide courtesy docks and remarkable views of the lake. They are first-come, first serve, so it is best to get a spot early.

Boating speed limits differ throughout the lake. In the canyons, where canoes and kayaks are often seen, lower speed limits prevail. Higher speeds for water skiing are allowed on the main body of the lake.

Camping

Los Alamos Campground, in lower Hungry Valley, contains 90 tent and RV-accessible sites and three group sites. Each group site accommodates up to 40 guests and 10 vehicles. Los Alamos Campground is the closest campground to Pyramid Lake.

The campground amenities include drinking water, toilets, a dump station, volleyball courts, and a camp store. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. There is both paved and gravel parking.

Reserve a campsite at Recreation.gov or call 661-248-6725.

All campers with a valid camp tag have priority to enter Pyramid Lake, but arriving at the marina early is recommended.

Fishing

Fishing is available at every location on Pyramid Lake.

The lake is seasonally stocked with rainbow trout. Some common fish you may find at Pyramid Lake are large-mouth and small-mouth bass, striped bass, trout, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.

For more information, view the Fish Planting Schedule.

Fishing at Emigrant Landing is also accessible to wheelchair users.

Vaquero Beach

Vaquero Beach, the most popular area on Pyramid Lake, is located just below the Vista del Lago Visitor Center. The area offers a wide sandy beach for swimming and picnicking. Seasonally, it offers kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boats for rent on an hourly basis. Amenities include close parking, shaded picnic areas, and restrooms.