Lakes and rivers near Los Angeles
6 lakes and rivers within about 180 miles of Los Angeles, closest first, with boat rentals, camping and fishing for each.
90% full
Lake · CA · 39 mi from Los Angeles
Castaic Lake
LA County's go-to for striped bass and a separate no-wake lagoon.
Lake · CA · 58 mi from Los Angeles
Lake Elsinore
Natural lake with open-speed boating and a lakefront campground.
Lake · CA · 74 mi from Los Angeles
Diamond Valley Lake
Southern California's largest reservoir and a serious bass fishery.
Lake · CA · 78 mi from Los Angeles
Big Bear Lake
Mountain lake at 6,750 ft with pontoon rentals and pine-shaded camping.
25% full
Lake · CA · 111 mi from Los Angeles
Lake Isabella
Kern River Valley reservoir, wind-friendly for sailing and windsurfing.
River · CA · 118 mi from Los Angeles
Kern River
Steep Sierra whitewater above Lake Isabella, and trout below the dam.
Distances are straight-line miles from the city center. Drive times are longer in the mountains.