Castaic Lagoon
Near Castaic, California · on Castaic Lagoon · Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15
- SEASON
- Swim beach has historically operated seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (per Wikipedia, not independently confirmed on the current official park page, which did not state exact swim-season dates at time of research).
About Castaic Lagoon
Castaic Lagoon is the reservoir formed just below Castaic Dam within Castaic Lake State Recreation Area in northern Los Angeles County, California, kept at a maintained water level by dam releases specifically to support recreation. It has a lifeguard-staffed swim beach that has historically operated seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
The lagoon sits in a developed recreation area at the base of Castaic Dam, separate from the much larger main Castaic Lake reservoir upstream, within a state recreation area covering over 9,000-11,200 acres of parkland in the arid hills north of Santa Clarita.
Swimming at Castaic Lagoon
Swimming takes place at a designated, lifeguard-staffed swim beach on the lagoon, an artificially maintained reservoir pool rather than a wild swimming hole; the park also runs a Junior Lake Lifeguard Program for ages 9-17 built around this open-water swim area. Water character (sand vs. hard bottom, typical depth) was not documented in sources found.
The hike in
Difficulty: easy (short walk from a parking lot, not a hike)
Castaic Lake SRA has a separate network of over 7 miles of multi-use trails (including a Grasshopper Canyon trail near Parking Lot 13 and a route near the West Launch Ramp with lake overlooks), but the official trails page does not describe any of them as a route to the swim beach/lagoon, and the swim/visitor pages describe the lagoon as a standard drive-up, park-and-walk beach.
No hiking is needed to reach the designated swim beach; it is accessed by car via the park's paved roads and numbered parking lots. Exact walk time from the nearest lot to the water's edge was not found in sources.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It's a designated, lifeguard-staffed reservoir swim beach (LA County runs a Junior Lake Lifeguard Program for ages 9-17 here), which is reassuring, but swimming is officially prohibited outside posted swim-beach hours (10am-6pm, seasonal, Wed-Sun only) and lifeguards are only on duty during those windows. No animals allowed in the water/beach area. Bottom composition (sand vs. rock) and typical depth at the swim line were not documented in sources found, so treat as 'with care' rather than an unqualified yes.
Parking
Paid, $15/vehicle standard day-use (covers park entry + parking); $8 senior/disabled; $23 RV; $38 bus
Parking is bundled into the vehicle day-use fee at numbered lots throughout the recreation area (e.g., a 'Parking Lot 13' is referenced near the Grasshopper Canyon trailhead on the official trails page). No source found identifies which specific lot number is closest to the lagoon swim beach or gives a walk-distance figure.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms exist park-wide within Castaic Lake SRA with posted seasonal hours (6:30am-7:30pm Mar-Oct; 6:30am-6:30pm Nov-Feb per official hours page), but no source found specifies a restroom's exact location relative to the lagoon swim beach itself.
Hours
Recreation area: 6:00am-8:00pm (Mar 1-Oct 31), 6:00am-7:00pm (Nov 1-Feb 28). Lower Lake/Lagoon: Wed-Sun, 6:00am-7:00pm. Swim beach specifically: 10:00am-6:00pm, seasonal, only when lifeguards are on duty. As of June 16, 2025 the whole park has been closed Mondays and Tuesdays (still in effect per official site at time of research).
On the water
Restrictions: The Lower Lake/Lagoon (where the swim beach sits) restricts boating to non-motorized craft only: hand-powered vessels, sail-powered vessels, and electric trolling motors are permitted; gasoline engines are explicitly prohibited there. Gas-powered motorboats and higher-speed motorized use (35 mph max, 5 mph in coves/ramps, counter-clockwise travel pattern) are confined to the separate Upper Lake, not the lagoon. All vessels must clear an invasive-mussel inspection before launch.
Float tubes are allowed on the lagoon with proper permits/safety gear per the official Lake Recreation Guide.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and paddleboard rentals
32132 Castaic Lake Dr., Castaic, CA 91384 (within Castaic Lake SRA)
Motorized boat rentals (for the Upper Lake, not the lagoon), including fuel, life jackets, paddle, and anchor
Prices: Weekend full day (7+ hrs): $130; weekday full day (5+ hrs): $100; 2-hour minimum: $55; additional hours $15/hr; extra 3-gallon fuel tank $15; 20% senior discount on weekday all-day rentals (65+, excludes holidays)
West Ramp, Castaic Lake SRA, 32132 Castaic Lake Dr., Castaic, CA 91384 · Daily 7:00am-5:00pm (last rental 3:30pm)
Backstory
The lagoon is maintained by releasing water from Castaic Dam specifically to sustain a stable water level for recreation, distinguishing it from the main upstream Castaic Lake reservoir.
Castaic Lagoon: FAQ
Does Castaic Lagoon charge a fee?
Daily vehicle entry $15 (standard), $8 (senior 65+/disabled), $38 (bus), $23 (RV/trailer over 20ft or limousine); $160 annual vehicle permit valid at multiple LA County regional parks. Boat launch $13/day (motorized) or $9/day (non-motorized); annual boat permits $105-150. (Source: parks.lacounty.gov/fees, accessed 2026.)
Is Castaic Lagoon kid friendly?
It's a designated, lifeguard-staffed reservoir swim beach (LA County runs a Junior Lake Lifeguard Program for ages 9-17 here), which is reassuring, but swimming is officially prohibited outside posted swim-beach hours (10am-6pm, seasonal, Wed-Sun only) and lifeguards are only on duty during those windows. No animals allowed in the water/beach area. Bottom composition (sand vs. rock) and typical depth at the swim line were not documented in sources found, so treat as 'with care' rather than an unqualified yes.
Do I need to hike to reach Castaic Lagoon?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Castaic Lagoon?
Parking is bundled into the vehicle day-use fee at numbered lots throughout the recreation area (e.g., a 'Parking Lot 13' is referenced near the Grasshopper Canyon trailhead on the official trails page). No source found identifies which specific lot number is closest to the lagoon swim beach or gives a walk-distance figure.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Castaic Lagoon?
Float tubes are allowed on the lagoon with proper permits/safety gear per the official Lake Recreation Guide.
When is the best time to visit Castaic Lagoon?
Swim beach has historically operated seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (per Wikipedia, not independently confirmed on the current official park page, which did not state exact swim-season dates at time of research).
What are the rules at Castaic Lagoon?
Regional park (including this site) is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Boats are subject to invasive mussel inspection before launch. Specific swim-beach rules (alcohol, glass, pets) were not found in sources reviewed.
What water body is Castaic Lagoon on?
Castaic Lagoon is on Castaic Lagoon, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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