The Ultimate Guide to Pyramid Lake, CA
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Pyramid Lake, located in the Angeles and Los Padres National Forests, spans 1,360 acres with depths of 700 feet and 21 miles of shoreline. It is named after the 386-foot-tall earth and rock dam which was completed in 1973 and named after a pyramid-shaped rock carved out by engineers building the Old Highway 99. Pyramid Lake offers scenic beauty and sunny climate that thousands of visitors cannot resist annually. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or new to camping this is a great destination because of the many activities you can choose to participate in. You can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing and miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. Travelers who want to explore Pyramid Lake can park an RV or pitch a tent at a couple of campgrounds within a five-mile radius of this pristine, natural wonderland.
About Pyramid Lake:
What You Should Expect:
Pyramid Lake is located right along Interstate 5 in the Los Angeles National Forest. The weather varies all year round, but the warmest months are May through September ranging from 77° to 93°. During the colder months of the year, temperatures can reach a low of 60°. The lake itself is reaching a depth of 700 feet and there are 21 miles of shoreline. There are many different activities you can do here to have a great time like hiking, boating, swimming, camping, and picnicking.
How to Get to Pyramid Lake from…
Arriving at Pyramid Lake is quite simple and very easy to spot. It is conveniently located right off of Interstate 5. No matter when you are coming from it should be fairly easy to arrive because of it being so close to this well-known freeway.
Southern California: Leaving from Los Angeles, you will only have about a 1.5-hour drive. The drive from here is very straight forward, jump on the I-5 North and take that for about 55 miles then exit on Vista Del Lago Rd, turn left and you will right away see the lake.
Arizona: If you are a visitor from Arizona, you can take Interstate 10 headed west all the way down until I-10 meets with Interstate 210 in Redlands. Once on the I-210 West, you will take it all the way down until meeting with the I-5 North. Stay on the I-5 until you reach Vista Del Lago Rd and turn left. You’ll see the lake right away!
Where to Camp:
The Los Alamos Campground is the closest campground to Pyramid Lake. Their facilities include bathrooms with flush toilets, potable water and a dump station free to overnight guests. There are RV back-in sites, pull through sites, and tenting areas. They also offer campsites for up to 40 people, but these are only available through reservation.
There are also picnic or day-use areas available like the Spanish Point or Tin Cup Campgrounds, but these areas are uniquely are only accessible by boat.
Know the Rules and Regulations:
This lake does have a cap on how many boats and skis can be on the water at once. The maximum allowed watercraft right now is 150 boats and 50 jet skis. This rule is strictly enforced. Once the lake reaches capacity, the attendants will allow one boat on for one boat off. Here are a few other rules to be aware of:
- All watercraft (including kayaks and float tubes) are required to pass a quagga mussel inspection before they will be allowed to launch.
- A proper personal flotation device must be on board for each person.
- Children 12 years and under must wear a PFD while underway.
- A fire extinguisher is required on each vessel.
- The operator of the vessel must be at least 16 years of age.
- All vessels must be effectively muffled.
These rules are very similar to rules enforces at other lakes.
What to do in Pyramid Lake:
Fishing:
Fishing is allowed and available anywhere at Pyramid Lake. Fishers can catch all kinds of fish like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, crappie, and some trout. Courtesy docks and a ramp leading from Parking Lot A to accessible fishing sites are available. The lake is stocked regularly by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. All fishermen must have a valid California State fishing license if 16 years or older. Fishing from the docks or launch ramps is prohibited. Cleaning fish on the water or shoreline is strictly prohibited. There is a fish-cleaning station located in one of the parking lots for your convenience.
Visit the near-by Castaic Lake:
Castaic Lake is only 19 miles away from Pyramid Lake, which is about a 30-minute drive. This lake offers many of the same activities you can find at Pyramid Lake. They also host events like Movies at the Lake, Night Float Tube Fishing, Moonlight Fishing, Moonlight Kayak, and much more. This is also a good alternative just in case Pyramid Lake is at its maximum capacity.
Take a Hike:
Slide Mountain Lookout- Only about a 10-15 minute drive from Pyramid Lake, you can find this moderate 5-mile hike. Feel free to bring your dogs with you as long as they are on a leash. This hike ends with a great 360-degree view of the North West section of the Angeles National Forest, including Pyramid Lake.
Whitaker Peak Lookout-This trail is about a half hour away from Pyramid Lake and the second closest hike. Views of the Canyon and Manzanita Fields are breathtaking and there are a very gentle 1600 ft. elevation gain. The hike is a moderate 9.4 miles but hikers can always choose how far to go!
Explore Old Town Newhall:
Old Town Newhall is only a 35 minute, 27-mile drive from Pyramid Lake. There is so much to see and do in Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District. From yummy meals to having a sip along Main Street you can find something for you here. There are activities you can participate in with your friends and family like arts and crafts or walking through a gallery.
There is something for everyone!
Beach it!
Pyramid Lake offers two different beaching areas. Vaquero Beach offers a wide sandy beach for swimming and fishing. Emigrant Landing is another beaching area that offers picnic areas, swimming, fishing, and has a boat ramp where you can directly bring your boat into the water. Enjoy a day of relaxation with staying on shore and watching others ride their watercraft too!
Get on the Water!
And last but not least get on the water of course! Boats, jet skis, kayaks, and float tubes are all allowed on the water after passing the proper inspections. Hanging out on the water with your friends or family is and can definitely be an all-day thing. Be sure to bring your wakeboards, water skis, or towable tubes but know that there are boating speed limits on different parts of the lake. Canoes and kayaks are often seen in the canyons where power boats are restricted to lower speeds. Higher speeds are allowed on the main body of the lake.
Head to Pyramid Lake:
As you can tell there is so much to do at and around Pyramid Lake. You will never be bored or wondering what you should do next. From a wide selection of outdoor activities to visiting Old Town Newhall, there is something for anyone and everyone. Wonder why this area has so many visitors each year? Go and experience it for yourself! The Pyramid lake area is an excellent getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and lets you relax and enjoy all the beauty of Southern California in one spot!
Related:
-10 Things You Should Carry in Your Jet Ski/Watercraft
-Top 5 Must-Have Accessories For Your Jet Ski
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