Located a few miles north of Los Angeles, Sepulveda Dam is a natural haven for anyone looking to escape the bustle of the city. The area is known for its wildlife, with dozens of bird species calling the dam home throughout the year. You can also visit the Japanese Gardens, located just next to the dam. At 6.5 acres, it’s the largest garden of its kind in the city.
Lake Balboa is the heart of the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, a 27 acre body of water that is popular for fishing and boating. You can catch a wide range of fish species, including largemouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. You can also rent pedal boats and ride along the cherry tree lined shoreline of the lake.
The recreational areas around Sepulveda Dam are day use only, so RV camping options are limited. There are a number of KOA campgrounds in the area, the closest of which is located in Acton, about half an hour north of the dam. Should you want to stay a bit closer to the dam, you can camp at one of the tent-only campgrounds located in Topanga State Park, located a few miles south of the dam.
Sepulveda Dam is located just north of Los Angeles near the intersection of CA-101 and I-405. The recreational areas around the dam are easy to navigate with RVs, so you should have few problems while driving in the area. However, like any destination near Los Angeles, you should be prepared for some heavy traffic.
If you are driving from downtown Los Angeles, you can get to the dam in around half an hour by taking CA-101 north out of the city. If you are in West Los Angeles, it will be faster to take I-405 north.
The area around the dam is a popular recreation area with a well paved infrastructure that makes it easy to get around by RV. That said, the dam sits near the intersection of two of the busiest highways in the city. If you don’t time your trip right, you can get stuck in traffic for hours, so try to stay off the road during rush hour.
The Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area is day use only, so you won’t be able to camp on site. If you’re bringing an RV along, your best options are to head to one of the KOA campgrounds nearby. You can also find a number of tent only campgrounds in Topanga State Park, which is just a few miles south of the dam.
This modern campground is located about half an hour north of Sepulveda Dam. It’s tucked into Soledad Canyon, giving you a rustic and secluded setting on the edge of the city. The sites can accommodate RVs up to 65 feet in length, and most have full hookups. You’ll have access to drinking water, as well as modern restrooms with showers and flush toilets. There are also a range of other amenities, including laundry rooms, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic tables, and a swimming pool.
The campground gets fairly busy during the summer, so you should make reservations well in advance, especially if you plan on visiting over the weekend.
Sepulveda Dam is home to a number of popular golf courses, making it a great place for a weekend round. Encino and Balboa are both 18 hole courses that are open to the public, located right next to the dam.
If you plan to play at either course, you should book a tee time well in advance, as the course do fill up quickly.
The Sepulveda Dam features a diverse ecosystem in the surrounding area, with dozens of bird species calling the reservoir home. Great egrets and double crested cormorants are commonly seen along the shores of the lake, as well as Brewer’s blackbird and California towhee.
You can find more information the bird species in the area by consulting the websites of local Audubon societies. Many of them produce excellent field guides and bird checklists.
Lake Balboa is the main body of water near Sepulveda Dam, with 27 acres of water that are open to fishing. Common catches include largemouth bass, carp, and channel catfish. Since the weather is mild throughout the year, it’s a great spot for a winter fishing trip.
You can fish from the shore and enjoy the shade provided by the rows of cherry trees. You can also take a small boat out onto the water.
At over six acres, this is one of the largest public Japanese gardens in Southern California. Small lakes and streams lead you to a wisteria arbor, as you enjoy the stone carvings made by Japanese artisans. There is also a teahouse where you can relax and take in a traditional tea ceremony.
The garden is planted with a variety of tree and flower species, with the look changing by the season. Check the garden website for hours and upcoming events.
RV campers visiting the area will find plenty to do out on the water. Sepulveda Dam is home to Lake Balboa, a 27 acre filled lake that is a popular weekend getaway for boating. The shore of the lake is lined with cherry trees, making for scenic boat rides in the spring. You can also take a kayak or canoe out onto the lake, and the recreation area offers kayaking trips along the Los Angeles River as well.
Pedal boats can be rented from the park, and you can also bring canoes and kayaks. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake, although electric motors are allowed for trolling.
Sepulveda Dam is a great place to bring your bike and get away from the noise. There are miles of paved paths leading through the area. The most popular trails take you around the shores of Lake Balboa, which are lined with rows of cherry trees.
You can also access the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area Bike Path, a nine mile long that loops around the dam.
