In the shadow of the Angeles National Forest, the Santa Fe Dam and reservoir features a 70-acre lake built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in California. Completed in 1949, the Army COE leases over 800 acres in the reservoir to Los Angeles County. It's a popular destination for activities in the San Gabriel Valley, just half an hour from the cities of Pasadena and Los Angeles.
Santa Fe Dam and reservoir is the center of outdoor recreation in the area, with numerous fun things to do. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating on the water. For some additional entertainment, do some hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking in the beautiful surroundings.
The only COE camping on-site at the Santa Fe Dam is for youth group camping near the Nature Center. All adults and RV campers will need to travel to nearby Angeles National Forest to find an overnight spot. Luckily, there are three different options. Once you've experienced all that the Santa Fe Dam has to offer, use this location as a gateway to the Pacific Ocean, Joshua Tree National Park, and the San Bernadino National Forest. These world-class sites can all be reached within two hours or less.
The Santa Fe Dam and Recreation Area is super easy to locate, just off the San Gabriel Freeway. The roads are paved and wide enough to accommodate long trailers and wide motorhomes. The journey from Los Angeles via the I-10 will pass through Monterey Park, El Monte, and Baldwin Park. These are all great locations to stop for food and gas on your way. From Pasadena, on the I-210, a good place for supplies is Monrovia.
The most common obstacle to driving around this area is the traffic. The large Los Angeles metropolitan area and densely populated suburbs mean that morning and evening rush hours add significant time to your ETA. Avoid these heavily trafficked times whenever possible.
The typically warm and stable weather in southern California keeps RV travelers coming back year after year. The only weather conditions you need to worry about will be on high mountain roads, like those used to access some of the campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest.
Once you arrive at the COE lake and dam, you can park your RV and easily traverse the recreation area on foot or by bike.
The best and one of the closest camping options to the Santa Fe Dam is the Angeles National Forest's Coldbrook Campground. At just over half an hour away, RV camping is easy and fun here. The experience the majestic wilderness is primitive with no hookups and only vault toilets. A total of 21 sites are provided on a first-come, first-served basis that can accommodate motorhomes and trailers up to 22 feet.
If your RV is on the smaller side, head to the Manker Campground, also part of the Angeles National Forest. It will house rigs up to 16 feet long and is still only about 45 minutes from the Corps of Engineers dam. There are no reservations or hookups here either and the campground is 6,000 feet above sea level.
The last option at the Angeles National Forest is the Pyramid Lake Los Alamos Campground. A little further away, it can be reached in under 1.5 hours. The nice thing about this location is that reservations are accepted for the 93 campsites. Rigs up to 26 feet are welcome here and amenities include toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Pyramid Lake is 2.5 miles away.
Anglers will love the freshwater fishing opportunities at Santa Fe Dam. The lake is stocked with catfish, trout, and bass. Try your luck and see what you can bring home for dinner. Just make sure you follow the rules and have a valid license.
The lake's recreation area boasts two fish cleaning stations and a pier. If you prefer to fish from the water, head out in a canoe or kayak. You can also rent paddle boats and rowboats at the COE lake.
The lake's swimming area is a sand beach and is chlorinated for safety. The sand is white, and the beach is wide, making it a great place to spend the day. Near the beach, you'll find restrooms with showers.
If the water is too daunting for younger kids, the recreation area has a water play area that is fenced off. Play equipment coupled with shallow pools makes this a favorite stop for the youngsters.
No motorized boats are permitted on the lake, but don't let that stop the fun. Travel with your canoe or kayak and get on the water as soon as you arrive. If you aren't traveling with your own, you can rent paddle boats and rowboats on site.
Explore the lake's nooks and crannies, do some fishing, and take in the breathtaking mountain views from your seat on the water. It's a fabulous way to spend a few relaxing hours.
If you want to navigate around a good section of the park, try out the Santa Fe Dam Loop Trail. You begin and end on the south side of the lake and travel around four miles on this moderate trail. Get ready for views of the flowing San Gabriel River and your leashed dog can join you on the trail.
Just north of the dam's recreation area, you can find a trailhead of the San Gabriel River Trail. It runs a total of 38 miles from the San Gabriel Mountain to the ocean. Do as much or as little of the route as you choose. It's open to both hiking and biking.
An easy way to take in the scenic valley and mountain views is to slow down and do something simple, like have a picnic. If you plan ahead, you can reserve one of the large group picnic shelters in the recreation area. For smaller groups, there are also small picnic areas available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you miss out on one of the group areas, just grab some folding chairs or a blanket and find a quiet spot all to yourselves. The beach area is picturesque, and for more excitement, enjoy your lunch near the model airplane field.
Operated by volunteers of the San Gabriel Mountains Regional Conservancy, the Nature Center offers nature walks and excellent information on the area's plants and wildlife. It's open daily but has limited hours, so it's best to check their website in advance of your visit.
The unusual deposits, called the alluvial fan, on the San Gabriel River are home to rare and/or endangered species. These include horned lizards, cactus wrens, and California gnatcatchers.
