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As of October 2025, the price of admission has increased to $15. At least it was for the weekend of the annual dragon boat festival. Many cars were lined up before the recreation area opened for the day, so it took a while to find parking. Many teams found their patch of grass to pitch up tents for the better half of the day, while it seems those who weren't part of the festival were partitioned off. From around 7am to 4pm, a lively environment of DJs and live music, jersey vendors, drumming competitions, costume contests, and even Zumba, a nice mix of distractions between all the waiting between heats. The park's maintenance team were on hand cleaning the restrooms, emptying trash cans, and driving to and from whenever they were needed. Some of the dragon boat teams and vendors also drove into the booth areas which made it kinda dangerous with so many people. There was even a close call of an infant almost getting run over. In terms of dragon boat, participating in 250m sprints was a positive experience. Much different sense of urgency compared to the usual 500m.
A recreation area tucked away near the city of Baldwin Park and Irwindale. Surrounded by freeways and industrial warehouses, I never would have thought that the suspicious looking road would lead to a little booth charging a $12 admission per vehicle. Having paid the entrance fee, I was eager to see what lies beyond the trees. Excited to see what was in store for us at this recreation center. There was a sign that led us to a cross roads, unfortunately I forgot my glasses and the car behind us was applying pressure so we just turned and hoped for the best. Parked in one of the first lots we found, and began to walk the trails and explore the area. There are plenty of picnic areas and barbecue pits. They have some playgrounds scattered throughout the park. It looks like in the summer, you can go into some designated swim areas. Though I'm unsure and only assuming you can since they had lifeguard towers. Wheelfun Rentals offers a variety of different rentals from kayaks, paddle boards and bikes. There is also designated areas available for those who enjoy to fish. I believe there is a hiking trail too, but I did not see it on my walk, so it may have been on the other side of the lake. The park does offer up a variety of fun activities, but I have been to other parks that offer the same things, without the parking fee!
Peaceful, Quiet, plenty space to Walk , Ride Bikes, Jogging, Picnics . Only $8 to get in if you qualify or you could buy a yearly pass that's good for all State Parks.
A surprising spot for outdoor activities in an urban setting - the reservoir is used for fishing, swimming, and boating - and the surrounding park and flood basin for picnics and hiking. But I come here for the birding! I've seen so many species here over the seasons - especially during the spring/fall migrations. I've seen two lifers here - the Ross' Goose and Cactus Wrens! Definitely highlights for me. And I love that the Arctic Geese rest here during their journeys - they're so animated and fun to watch. The dam is 92 feet high and was built between 1941 - 1949 for flood control on the San Gabriel River. The park is quite large and has several different habitats - the main one being the reservoir. The other habitat is the flood basin which happens to also be a chaparral habitat conservation area packed full of California native plants! They even have a nature center at the trailheads and lots of info signs along the trails explaining the native plants you see. There are also lots of birding opportunities there along the many hiking trails - all flat and well maintained. The San Gabriel River bike trail also passes through this area. However - many homeless often camp here in the bushes and I was told by staff on my last visit that it's definitely not safe for women alone. So I don't hike or bird in there anymore - so be aware lol. You can often see their encampments from the 605 as you drive through. All the different areas have plenty of parking, tons of picnic tables, and clean-ish bathrooms. Entry for day pass is $12. They do allow motorized boats as well as non motorized but they all require permits and you can pay at the gate - cash or credit. They sometimes close the park if it reaches full capacity so you may want to check before you go.
Been coming here for years; huge fan! Shout out to Irma at the entrance booth, known her for years! She's my moms "tocaya". Thank you for filling us in on the goings on in the park. This post is specifically for my sadness for the rooted trees from the winds that started all the Jan. 2025 L.A. fires. I counted 5 downed trees. So much debris, broken branches. Maintenance has a lot of work to do.
Came back here during the Winter time. Prices are still $12 on Weekends but I do believe it's free on weekdays during this time. Also note I've been here after 6 pm and they don't charge for parking after that time (or at least that's what the attendant told me). Bathrooms are well maintained but I guess that comes with the expensive parking prices. You can see tons of people parking on the street outside but I would be careful since there are signs saying do not park (didn't see anyone get tickets at least today so maybe it is okay). Nonetheless great spot for a 4 mile hike, and very dog friendly. There are dog water fountains laid all around the recreation area.
Always on the hunt for a new place to walk the dog. Although I grew up in the area, I had never been here except for the Renaissance Faire, which is a world unto itself. We came on a sunny Sunday in February and it wasn't super full of people, so that was great. It's $12 for parking or $5 for Senior parking. There were so many wonderful birds that I had never seen before like the Egyptian Goose that is really a duck. Our dog was super interested in seeing the geese waddling around the park. People were pretty chill and lots of room for children and adults. The only negative was that the bird flu is going around and there were several signs. Make sure to stay away from the birds! Otherwise, really nice experience.
Went with my kids and husband for the first time so the kids could go to the splash pad. They had such a great time they didn't want to leave. Word of warning to parents: all adults and children are required to wear "pool attire" whether they go near the water or not. I planned to sit on the side while my husband took the kids into the water. So I was not allowed within the gates of the "water area."there are benches and tables inside the gate but outside of the actual splash pad - "pool attire" is required there. So while my family went inside I waited outside the gate. The staff allowing or not allowing families in are incredibly rude and disrespectful. One male staff member suggested I leave my family and "go to Walmart" to buy swimwear. Another (elderly female) said "are you just going to stand there all day?" as I stood by the gate watching my kids play and so they could say "mommy look at me!!". Another rule is that children must be less than 52 inches tall. While I stood there I witnessed them suggesting to families that they break up their group so smaller children would go inside and larger children (despite their young age) wait outside. Multiple parents understandably "everyone goes or no one goes". As they left I saw the staff members obnoxiously mocking the parents' decision. I would still go again for my children's sake and now that we have a better understanding of the rules (which are not clearly defined on the website). The website should make it clear where the "water area" begins. Additionally management needs to be aware of the behavior of their staff.
Great place to swim. However, always crowded in the parking lot and hard to find a space. The beach itself is not as crowded most people are on the grass barbecuing. Keep a close eye on your children as occasionally I see some suspicious activity not g-rated.
FYI the website is incorrect about when the splash pads open. Today is June 15th, and we drove over with an excited kiddo because the website said the splash pads open on June 15th. When we got there, we were told they're not open, and that the real opening date is probably June 28th. Welp Happy Father's Day to us! It looks like a lovely park though.
Used to be a beautiful park and clean-ish. Now it has turned really trashy! Literally, there is trash strewn all over the grass throughout the park. It's like no one monitors it and people have left chip bags, napkins, etc all over the ground even though there are plenty of garbage cans around! I even found a flattened and dead frog in the grass. The playground has spiderwebs all over the climbing area, the slides, etc. I did not feel safe taking my niece in certain areas because I didn't want her to get bit by a spider or to get webs all over her. All of this would be ok if it was free but you have to pay $12 unreasonable dollars for parking ($5 if you are over age 65)!!! You can park on the side and walk up but it's too far a trek with kids. I am really disappointed in how this park has not been maintained. It's such a great view of the mountains and water. The only enjoyable thing is feeding the ducks but you aren't supposed to be doing that (however, no one is there to regulate anything)!
here most weekends, great place for all sorts of activities! the rocket-launching every sunday morning while i'm trying to enjoy nature isn't my favorite... but you can easily avoid the group by going to the east end of the reservoir.
2 months ago
It's a huge lake park located in Irwindale, and its facilities including picnic tables and bike trails, which offers affordable family activities and scenic mountain views. However, the park is often crowded, and lack of maintenance, for instance, restroom was in bad condition. They charge a vehicle entrance fee of $15 per car, and from my experience you'd better prepare with cash as the reception there is bad, and their mobile card readers are often slow or not working. read more
15 days ago
As of October 2025, the price of admission has increased to $15. At least it was for the weekend of the annual dragon boat festival. Many cars were lined up before the recreation area opened for the day, so it took a while to find parking. Many teams found their patch of grass to pitch up tents for the better half of the day, while it seems those who weren't part of the festival were partitioned off. From around 7am to 4pm, a lively environment of DJs and live music, jersey vendors, drumming competitions, costume contests, and even Zumba, a nice mix of distractions between all the waiting between heats. The park's maintenance team were on hand cleaning the restrooms, emptying trash cans, and driving to and from whenever they were needed. Some of the dragon boat teams and vendors also drove into the booth areas which made it kinda dangerous with so many people. There was even a close call of an infant almost getting run over. In terms of dragon boat, participating in 250m sprints was a positive experience. Much different sense of urgency compared to the usual 500m. read more
A recreation area tucked away near the city of Baldwin Park and Irwindale. Surrounded by freeways and industrial warehouses, I never would have thought that the suspicious looking road would lead to a little booth charging a $12 admission per vehicle. Having paid the entrance fee, I was eager to see what lies beyond the trees. Excited to see what was in store for us at this recreation center. There was a sign that led us to a cross roads, unfortunately I forgot my glasses and the car behind us was applying pressure so we just turned and hoped for the best. Parked in one of the first lots we found, and began to walk the trails and explore the area. There are plenty of picnic areas and barbecue pits. They have some playgrounds scattered throughout the park. It looks like in the summer, you can go into some designated swim areas. Though I'm unsure and only assuming you can since they had lifeguard towers. Wheelfun Rentals offers a variety of different rentals from kayaks, paddle boards and bikes. There is also designated areas available for those who enjoy to fish. I believe there is a hiking trail too, but I did not see it on my walk, so it may have been on the other side of the lake. The park does offer up a variety of fun activities, but I have been to other parks that offer the same things, without the parking fee! read more
7 months ago
Peaceful, Quiet, plenty space to Walk , Ride Bikes, Jogging, Picnics . Only $8 to get in if you qualify or you could buy a yearly pass that's good for all State Parks. read more
A surprising spot for outdoor activities in an urban setting - the reservoir is used for fishing, swimming, and boating - and the surrounding park and flood basin for picnics and hiking. But I come here for the birding! I've seen so many species here over the seasons - especially during the spring/fall migrations. I've seen two lifers here - the Ross' Goose and Cactus Wrens! Definitely highlights for me. And I love that the Arctic Geese rest here during their journeys - they're so animated and fun to watch. The dam is 92 feet high and was built between 1941 - 1949 for flood control on the San Gabriel River. The park is quite large and has several different habitats - the main one being the reservoir. The other habitat is the flood basin which happens to also be a chaparral habitat conservation area packed full of California native plants! They even have a nature center at the trailheads and lots of info signs along the trails explaining the native plants you see. There are also lots of birding opportunities there along the many hiking trails - all flat and well maintained. The San Gabriel River bike trail also passes through this area. However - many homeless often camp here in the bushes and I was told by staff on my last visit that it's definitely not safe for women alone. So I don't hike or bird in there anymore - so be aware lol. You can often see their encampments from the 605 as you drive through. All the different areas have plenty of parking, tons of picnic tables, and clean-ish bathrooms. Entry for day pass is $12. They do allow motorized boats as well as non motorized but they all require permits and you can pay at the gate - cash or credit. They sometimes close the park if it reaches full capacity so you may want to check before you go. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
Been coming here for years; huge fan! Shout out to Irma at the entrance booth, known her for years! She's my moms "tocaya". Thank you for filling us in on the goings on in the park. This post is specifically for my sadness for the rooted trees from the winds that started all the Jan. 2025 L.A. fires. I counted 5 downed trees. So much debris, broken branches. Maintenance has a lot of work to do. read more
Came back here during the Winter time. Prices are still $12 on Weekends but I do believe it's free on weekdays during this time. Also note I've been here after 6 pm and they don't charge for parking after that time (or at least that's what the attendant told me). Bathrooms are well maintained but I guess that comes with the expensive parking prices. You can see tons of people parking on the street outside but I would be careful since there are signs saying do not park (didn't see anyone get tickets at least today so maybe it is okay). Nonetheless great spot for a 4 mile hike, and very dog friendly. There are dog water fountains laid all around the recreation area. read more
2 years ago
Always on the hunt for a new place to walk the dog. Although I grew up in the area, I had never been here except for the Renaissance Faire, which is a world unto itself. We came on a sunny Sunday in February and it wasn't super full of people, so that was great. It's $12 for parking or $5 for Senior parking. There were so many wonderful birds that I had never seen before like the Egyptian Goose that is really a duck. Our dog was super interested in seeing the geese waddling around the park. People were pretty chill and lots of room for children and adults. The only negative was that the bird flu is going around and there were several signs. Make sure to stay away from the birds! Otherwise, really nice experience. read more
1 year ago
Went with my kids and husband for the first time so the kids could go to the splash pad. They had such a great time they didn't want to leave. Word of warning to parents: all adults and children are required to wear "pool attire" whether they go near the water or not. I planned to sit on the side while my husband took the kids into the water. So I was not allowed within the gates of the "water area."there are benches and tables inside the gate but outside of the actual splash pad - "pool attire" is required there. So while my family went inside I waited outside the gate. The staff allowing or not allowing families in are incredibly rude and disrespectful. One male staff member suggested I leave my family and "go to Walmart" to buy swimwear. Another (elderly female) said "are you just going to stand there all day?" as I stood by the gate watching my kids play and so they could say "mommy look at me!!". Another rule is that children must be less than 52 inches tall. While I stood there I witnessed them suggesting to families that they break up their group so smaller children would go inside and larger children (despite their young age) wait outside. Multiple parents understandably "everyone goes or no one goes". As they left I saw the staff members obnoxiously mocking the parents' decision. I would still go again for my children's sake and now that we have a better understanding of the rules (which are not clearly defined on the website). The website should make it clear where the "water area" begins. Additionally management needs to be aware of the behavior of their staff. read more
1 year ago
Great place to swim. However, always crowded in the parking lot and hard to find a space. The beach itself is not as crowded most people are on the grass barbecuing. Keep a close eye on your children as occasionally I see some suspicious activity not g-rated. read more
1 year ago
FYI the website is incorrect about when the splash pads open. Today is June 15th, and we drove over with an excited kiddo because the website said the splash pads open on June 15th. When we got there, we were told they're not open, and that the real opening date is probably June 28th. Welp Happy Father's Day to us! It looks like a lovely park though. read more
3 years ago
Used to be a beautiful park and clean-ish. Now it has turned really trashy! Literally, there is trash strewn all over the grass throughout the park. It's like no one monitors it and people have left chip bags, napkins, etc all over the ground even though there are plenty of garbage cans around! I even found a flattened and dead frog in the grass. The playground has spiderwebs all over the climbing area, the slides, etc. I did not feel safe taking my niece in certain areas because I didn't want her to get bit by a spider or to get webs all over her. All of this would be ok if it was free but you have to pay $12 unreasonable dollars for parking ($5 if you are over age 65)!!! You can park on the side and walk up but it's too far a trek with kids. I am really disappointed in how this park has not been maintained. It's such a great view of the mountains and water. The only enjoyable thing is feeding the ducks but you aren't supposed to be doing that (however, no one is there to regulate anything)! read more
1 year ago
here most weekends, great place for all sorts of activities! the rocket-launching every sunday morning while i'm trying to enjoy nature isn't my favorite... but you can easily avoid the group by going to the east end of the reservoir. read more
1 year ago
7 months ago
8 months ago
Santa Fe Dam Recreation area seems to offer something for everyone. I visited one Sunday morning for the first time to attend a nature trail meet-up. Our group took a tour of a beautiful section of the park with native plants that have been pretty much untouched. Lots of pretty flowers in bloom this spring. There are tons of bike trails, hiking, boating, and apparently fishing. It's free if you park outside and walk/bike in. If you prefer to park inside the recreation area, the parking fee is $12 per car. We met up by the nature center which had been closed since the pandemic. Restrooms near our hike were closed, so plan ahead. One star knocked off due to trash and graffiti. The recreation area is in the middle of an urban area and has a history of homeless encampments leading to fires. Lots more info here: https://parks.lacounty.gov/santa-fe-dam-recreational-area/# read more
8 months ago
4 years ago
This is a fun place to go for some cheap, all day family fun! This spot has everything from paddle boat and family bike rentals, to a splash pad, to a fake beach, to acres of park space where you can setup camp for the day and grill out. Parking is around $12 and it does fill up. We got there around 11am on a hot Saturday and when we left around 2:30pm, they'd closed the main entrance due to capacity. There's a back entrance off Irwindale (enter by the beer factory), but they were only letting one car in at a time as each car left and the line was literally at least a mile long lol. My hubby and I did the paddle boat a few years ago and this time (a few weekends ago), we did the 4 seater bike with my sister and 6 y/o niece. The bike rental was $35 for 1 hour. We didn't last the entire hour because it was 90+ degrees out that day and I'm 9 months pregnant, so peddling for me was hard lol. My belly just kept getting in the way of my legs! It's easy to use up the hour because the bike path goes on forever. The "fake beach" was a hit with my niece. Do be aware that from a distance, the water looks super blue and pretty. But in it ... you can't even see your feet in the shallow part lol. It's very dirty, so just don't let your little ones swallow it! The main downside is the lack of shaded areas by the water on a day as hot as it was that day. Make sure to bring a beach tent or umbrella if you plan on sitting near the water for the day. The shaded picnic/hangout areas were already packed by 11am. I'm sure families get there early to secure the best spots with grills and shade. Definitely bring your own food because there's nothing much really sold in the park besides ice cream and beverages. We luckily did find an elote lady but that was it. We didn't plan to grill or hangout for too long, so we just packed a cooler of drinks and snacks and kept it in our car. read more
Beauty all around. Who knew there was a beautiful park close by. The santa fe dam is the ideal location for a day with the family. I visited the first park on the left side as you drive in. There is plenty of parking for everyone. There is a play area for the kids and several concrete picnic tables close by. Restrooms are close by as well. There are plenty of trees that provide shade and geese that observe you from a distance. My happy place is here. The grounds are maintained very well. No trash on the floor and tables were cleaned off by the maintenance staff. The best part of this area is the lake and the view of the mountains. The lake is close by with lark benches so you can relax and take in the calmness of the water. There were a few people fishing. They didn't catch anything but it looks like something I would like to try. A permit may be needed for fishing. There are also pathways/trails to take a walk around the lake or the dam. Or you can just take a short walk to a different area of the lake. You can also bring your mountain bike and go for a nice ride. I saw signs for boat rentals, volleyball courts and areas you can have a barbecue. There is so micj to see and do. Check out their website for more information regarding things you can do when you visit. They also include the cost of admission. Pack your bags. Pack your car and head to the santa fe dam for a day. Have a picnic, walk your dog and take in the beauty of this hidden gem in Irwindale. read more
1 year ago
We come here to enjoy a barbecue. We also really love the view. But the problem is that too many people play their own music loudly. Because of that, you can't hear the birds chirping or the peaceful sounds of nature. And no one comes to say anything about it. The use of speakers should be banned. read more
3 years ago
Visited for the first time with the family on a Sunday. We arrived around 11 a.m. parking was easy to find. You pay a cover charge of $12. We decided to do rent bikes to get the know the park more. Super easy to rent. Staff there were extremely helpful and nice. After riding bikes for about an hour. We decided to go to the make shift beach to hang out. It was super crowded, but I think expected for a Sunday. Water is dirty, a shallow. There is a lot to do here and we will definitely be coming back during the week. You can fish, have a picnic, swim at the beach, small splash pad for kids under a certain height, and bike and water paddle rentals. Bathrooms were decently clean too! Very well maintained. read more
Ample parking - lovely grounds- dragon boats, bike rentals, pedal boats, picnic tables, clean restrooms- summer swimming- so much family fun to be had. We had so much fun we forgot to take pictures of all the activities etc lol read more
2 years ago
So hot in SoCal so what do we look for? Cool water. Beaches get so crowded and is a longer drive for folks more inland. So this is a great alternative. A man made lake. The rope off the deeper parts of the lake to make it family friendly. The deepest is 12 feet. Lifeguards are attentive and on duty. Lots of trees for shade and tables and fire pits for BBQ. It does get crowded so you need to arrive early. $12 for parking. You can't beat that. And the scenic view of the mountains behind the water is breath taking. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
I discovered this hidden GEM in 2020! I love love love this place! I feel so disconnected to the outside world when I come here. It's so relaxing and calming! There's a lake, mountains, trees, and recently I discovered lots of trails to explore on the other side of the lake! This year SFD is extremely beautiful due to the rainy seasons and it has many greens and flowers!! I had been coming almost everyday now because it's closing at a later time! I usually come after 5:30pm so there's no charge for parking. Best nature scene ever!! You can bike here too!! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Great place to come bbq and hang out with family and friends. A lot of open space with trees so it's nicely shaded. I saw people in kayaks and others were in the water. The area also has playgrounds for kids and you can walk along the outer part of the dam which gives you a great view of the area. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
I love this park! I've only ever come here on pretty slow days (weekday evenings), so I've never had trouble with finding parking or a place to set up my picnic. So pretty, it feels like a hidden gem. Sometimes there's trash left behind on the ground, but I figure that's because I usually come after the big rush. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Great place for the renaissance fair! I loved it, first time out with the family and will definitely come back! read more
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More info about Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
15501 E Arrow Hwy
Irwindale, CA 91706
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(626) 334-1065
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Ask the Community - Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
Does anyone know the address or coordinates for the launch pad ? I'm planning on taking my kayak and SUP
I believe they have KAYAK for rental there. If not they have a small lake for your personal KAYAK
Will the kids water play area be open this year 2024?
Is the water park area open now?
Only weekends Memorial weekend to Labor Day weekend
Is the water safe/clean to swim for children?
It is not clean nor safe for children to swim in.
Are the boat/surrey rentals open right now on the weekend?
They are open right now! (:
Can you rollerblade or skate here?
Yes you can! Just be safe and wear protection (:
Can we swim in the lake because of COVID and how packed is it?
It is not advisable to go swimming in any stagnant water or lake due to deadly bacteria & worms that can enter in your mouth or nose & into your brain. Take care.
Where are the volley ball courts located?
I didn't see any volley ball courts when I was there.
Have the paddle boats opened back up, or are they closed because of COVID?
They are back open come check them out those are fun went on the boats last Saturday
Is there restaurant or any place sells food?
No. You must bring your own food from outside of the park.
When does the waterpark open? And the renting station? Everytime I go they're closed.
Well it's July 5 and everything's open swimming and rental
Is there a fee?
There is a parking fee, $10. If you go after 6 there's a chance you can go in for free because there's no one at the booths.
Can you still run here after 8pm?
Is there fishing allowed here?
Yes, I saw people fishing in some areas. It also saw it on their website before I visited.
Review Highlights - Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
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