Between Los Angeles and Anaheim, the US Army Corps of Engineers' Brea Dam is an ideal stop on your next trip to California. The dam and the surrounding park grounds offer an oasis for outdoor recreation in a highly populated urban setting. The park that completes the Brea Dam Recreation Area is owned by the City of Fullerton and is used predominantly for hiking and picnics.
The Brea Dam was completed in 1942 on Brea Creek and helps control flooding for Orange County and the San Gabriel River Basin. The reservoir is not generally used for swimming, fishing, or boating due to low water levels, but there's still plenty to do here. Mountain biking, golf, and photography are additional outdoor activities popular at the Brea Dam and surrounding area.
There are no COE campgrounds at Brea Dam; in fact, no camping is possible on site. Campers will find suitable campsites in a wilderness setting at nearby Angeles National Forest. Visitors can explore Chino Hills State Park within an hour and Joshua Tree National Park within two hours. The central location means you can also head west to the Pacific Ocean for wide, sandy beaches for surfing and swimming.
Accessing the Brea Dam is relatively easy year-round. Warm temperatures limit road hazards, but the main concern for travelers in large rigs is traffic. The route to the dam in Fullerton from Los Angeles is under 30 miles but can take up to one hour or longer in peak traffic. It is also common to encounter construction along the way, which will inevitably result in further delays.
Due to its urban location, any supplies or gas you need to enjoy your visit are at hand in Fullerton or pretty much anywhere along the way. The major city of Anaheim is less than five miles to the south.
The Brea Dam grounds are small and can easily be toured on foot or by bike. There is no need to drive around in your RV to explore everything this park has to offer.
For campers heading to the Angeles National Forest to set up camp, prepare to run into high mountain roads on the way to the Manker Flats Campground. Roads are winding and experience snow and other winter conditions due to the high elevation.
Parking is offered at Brea Dam Park.
Since there are no COE campgrounds at Brea Dam, RV campers will need to travel for their accommodations. A good bet is the campgrounds of the Angeles National Forest. The Manker Flats Campground and the Coldbrook Campground are about an hour away.
The Manker Flats Campgrounds are set 6,000 feet above sea level and can handle RVs up to 16 feet. There are no available hookups and sites are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis only. The 21 year-round campsites fill up on most weekends, so get there early to secure a site. At Manker Flats, you can expect vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Potable water is provided but is turned off once the temperatures reach freezing.
Also available on a first-come, first-served basis, the Coldbrook Campground has 22 campsites located at the intersection of Soldier Creek and Coldbrook Creek. Camping areas are shaded and allow RVs up to 22 feet. No hookups are provided, and sites fill up quickly on summer weekends. You'll find vault toilets on the grounds and both fire rings and picnic tables at each site.
A leisurely walk is definitely on the table when you visit Brea Dam. The Lost Trail is just over half a mile in length and can be picked up on Brea Boulevard. The Lost Trail finishes where the Brea Dam Trail begins.
The Brea Dam Trail is another easy trail and covers 2.2 miles. The path has trees and runs alongside the dam's adjacent golf course.
All in all, a picturesque total of over three miles of trails are available in the small suburban park.
If you're visiting Brea Dam on a nice day, why not squeeze in a round of golf? The city of Fullerton has two large golf courses just waiting to be played. This area of California has a number of golf courses, so you can also find more options in Brea and Anaheim.
If you don't have enough time to play 18 holes, there is a driving range adjacent to the Brea Dam Recreation Area. You can also practice putting and chipping here.
Since the reservoir of the dam is generally very low and not open to swimming, to cool off, you'll need to head to another location. Luckily, the Pacific Ocean is roughly half an hour away.
World-famous Pacific Coast beaches must be visited when you're in California. Long Beach and Huntington Beach are your best and closest options.
One of the most common activities at Brea Dam is picnicking. The lush, green grounds offer ample area to spread out. Bring a blanket and your lunch to find a little quiet in the city. There are barbecue grills to cook your food and fire pits that require a permit.
The Brea Dam Park also has picnic tables and benches along some of the trails where you can stop for a quick bite.
If desired, you can ride your bike around the Brea Dam. The tour will be quite short due to the small area of the park. It's flat, and riding is on both paved and unpaved trails.
For something a little more challenging, the Fullerton Bike Loop is a fantastic option. Often toted as Southern California's best beginner mountain bike trail, this easy 11-mile loop is excellent for all bikers. The trail is varied and travels around downtown Fullerton.
Small creatures that thrive in suburban areas are plentiful at Brea Dam. Look out for squirrels, raccoons, and opossum. Snakes, frogs, and toads are also spotted occasionally.
For visitors who want to see a bit more, travel southwest to the coast. In about 30 minutes, you'll arrive at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. They provide monthly tours of the coastal marsh habitat and education on the California Least Tern and other shorebirds. Sharks, rays, and sometimes green sea turtles travel in the water off the coast of the refuge.
