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Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

3.7 (245 reviews)
Closed 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Ross's Goose visiting for winter!! Such a pretty little thing!
Hannah S.

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.

Rooted tree Jan. 2025
Maryann A.

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.

Doggo
Travis P.

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.

Hours February 2025
Rebecca D.

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.

Posted rules which only state that one adult needs to be wearing swim attire.

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.

Delilah H.

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.

Today is June 15th, and we drove over with an excited kiddo because the website said the splash pads open on June 15th. Closed.
Liz Z.

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.

cactus wren, not a lot of places you can see these in LA but the santa fe dan is one of them!
Nicole K.

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.

Jessica C.

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)!

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.

Dora C.

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.

"fake beach" - huge hit with my niece!
Lindsay F.

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.

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9 months ago

Fun, Fun, Fun! Get there early to get a good spot. We had a great time getting in the water and grilling.

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10 months ago

Drove my family there and it was closed. They should really update there website. Not cool wasted time and gas

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Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

Will the kids water play area be open this year 2024?

Is swimming allowed?

Yes you can

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.

Can you bring a grill and tent at the lake?

Yes, you can!

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.

Can you bring dogs?

Yes!

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 swimming allowed?

Yes

Is there restaurant or any place sells food?

No. You must bring your own food from outside of the park.

Can I bring my own small grill?

Yes

Do you need a fishing permit/license to fish here?

Yes

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.

View All 29 Questions

Review Highlights - Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

There are boat and bicycle rentals (closed due to covid), swimming (also closed), fishing, and lots of picnic tables for BBQs.

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Crystal Lake - Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake

4.1(61 reviews)
3.5 mi

Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.

Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

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Crystal Lake - My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.

My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.

Crystal Lake - Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot

Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot

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Rancho Park

Rancho Park

4.8(6 reviews)
4.2 mi

The only reason for the 4 stars is the lack of shade. I swear all parks are designed by people…read morewithout kids. There's a shaded area for eating with 2 picnic tables under it, but that's it. The entire play structure and swings are in the beating sun 100% of the time. Today was a very mild 75 degree early summer day and we went early around 10:45. Within 30 minutes of arrival, the slides were so hot our almost 2 y/o son physically reacted every time he touched them. The park is in a very nice and quiet residential area. There's nothing but street parking, but the streets are wide and not busy. The grounds were very clean and well kept. The bathrooms even had soap AND paper towels - yay! Like others said, this structure is mostly appropriate for a toddler as young as ours. He even did ok on the winding slide. Some slides are so steep that he falls forward even though they're supposed to be geared at toddlers, but all 3 slides here were fine for him. However, the only way to get up are monkey bar-like stairs (skinny metal bars) that no toddler can safely use, then the other side has stairs. The stairs are way too far apart for a young one to do alone. He either had to crawl or we held his hands while he took giant steps lol. If you get bored at this park, there are 2 more within ~5 blocks or less heading west! They're off the same street, too. Just go to the north of the block north of the park and take a left and you'll see 2 others fairly quickly. We'll definitely be back because of how clean and safe it felt.

Nice, safe and clean park for toddlers. My son loves to play here. The neighborhood is very quietread more

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Rancho Park
Rancho Park
Rancho Park - 3/17/22 Firetruck-shaped play structure

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3/17/22 Firetruck-shaped play structure

Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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