Castaic Lake

Coordinates to the fishing pier (lagoon) 34.50081° N, 118.60793° WCastaic Lake may be a different experience with a boat but we came without to check it out. It was a bit confusing at first because we tried the fishing pier (hence the coordinates above, in case anyone has some trouble finding it like we did in the early morning hours). We then worked our way over to the main lake but the fishing was not a successful trip. Overall it was nice lake to check it out since it's not too far away.

We visit this lake often and enjoy it every time that we go! There is plenty to do there to meet many people's needs. On one side you can launch boats, kayaks, paddle boards and such. On the other side there are 5 or 6 different play areas, plenty of tables and even bbqs and bathrooms. Thankfully the bathrooms ass minimal but always clean. Sometimes we go on the lake, sometimes we just play in the sand, sometimes we go to the play grounds. We even ride our bikes there or go for a walk. There's so much to do for people who love the outdoors. It costs $12 to park for the day, then $9 to bring a kayak or paddle board. Since we go often we bought an annual pass for parking. It's usually pretty chill. During holidays or summers it can get more crowded. We went on the 4th of July and parking was closed by noon. Definitely check it out!

Wow! Visited swimming area on Sunday August 11, 2024 and was disgusted. It was so bad that I will not be returning unless there are some drastic changes. Drive from LA county was about an hour. I called and spoke to a staff a day before to prepare myself. They do not allow floaties and life jackets need to be certified. Arrived around 5:30 AM as suggested by the staff (he said Sundays are the most packed) but you don't have to arrive so early unless you have no portable tables. I was not prepared with some essentials here like additional tables and canopy for shade. Hammocks are a must here and if you can claim a spot right in front of the swimming area i highly recommend it. These areas by the trees will have shade through the day. The bathrooms were full of toilet paper, every single stall. You couldn't avoid stepping on used tampons, pads and toilet paper through out the whole day. They never got cleaned. The trash bins were overflowing with trash and bird had all night to go through it and make more of a mess. It got picked up before 10 AM. The beach was never cleaned. There was left over trash and bird feathers everywhere. It was horrifying how trashed this lake is. $12 a parking for this poop show is ridiculous. We got kicked out the lake because someone pooped in it. Whoever did it would rather poop in the lake than those disgusting restrooms.

What a beautiful day for some SUP. Arrived about 10:30am and water was calm. Inspection was easy because our birds were COMPLETELY dry and had not been used since August. These are the things they ask: name of boards? When we're they last used? We're they put away dry? Do you have a life vest for each board? First timers get additional questions like name, address, etc., but once you're in the system, like we are, they pretty much ask if it's all still the same and just jot down what they have on the paperwork. That stays with you. Parking pass($12 as of 10/17/22), SUP launch x 2 ($9 as of same date) = $18, and we're in! Pull to launch on lower lake - no one around - SWEEET! Put our towels, equipment, snacks, drinks, etc on table under shady tree, off loaded our boards and friend parked car in nearby lot w/ parking pass taped to driver's side, inside windshield. Launched our boards, paddled for a little over an hour and conditions were great. Came back in for a rest, my friend ordered some food for pickup from nearby Casa Lupita(see separate review), went to pick it up - because parking pass is good for all day re-entry - while I did some SDP (SIT DOWN PADDLING! ;-)). When she came back we ate our yummy burritos, played some cards, then got back in the water around 3pm. Breeze had picked up a TINY bit, so still good for paddling around. Came back in around 4pm, packed up everything and left around 4:45. FUN! All day we saw just 2 motorboats, 2 non motorized fishermen, and a few people sprinkled around the shores fishing. I'd consider that empty on a Monday. Bathrooms next to lower lake launch area get cleaned each day and were clean and operating fine each time we used.Shout out to Lifeguard John who helped us with some equipment issues and made for an even better experience!

Great Lake and clean. However, this place is Nazi Germany when it comes to boat inspections. I have never failed one but i avoid Castaic just based on their annoying inspections. Also the life guards on the water who think they are cops are just as annoying. Fees are too high. "Do you have your boating license sir." Just gtfo. This place is operated by Newsom himself.

Beautiful lake but I will NEVER go back. My experience described by local vendor as "sounds like to got the standard Castaic experience."I usually take my paddle board to Pyramid Lake and have a great time but was heading out yesterday later than anticipated and this was a little closer so gave it a try. I initially pulled up to the entrance on Lake Castaic road that my GPS took me to. They were nice but explained you can't launch from here as this area was only open to people not accessing the water. They directed me to another entrance on the other side of the dam. Dove there and upon arriving they stated paddleboards are not allowed on this side of the dam because of boat traffic and to go back down. I informed them the people on the other side sent me here. A group of 5-6 people in the security shed left me sitting there for 15 min while they radioed a bunch of people. They finally came back and said go to the RV parking you can launch from there. Drove to RV parking who stated there is no launching from there and again sent me to another location. When I finally got to the correct (forth) location they began very aggressively telling me to show them "tags" and prepare for inspection. I respectly told the gentleman this was my 1st time here and I wasn't aware of what he was asking me for but that I wasn't aware I needed any sort of registration or license for a paddle board. I laid everything out for them to see and they told me it would be $38.00 for parking and boat fee. I asked them if there was a discount for active duty military (the other lakes all offer) and if a boat fee was supposed to be charged for a paddle board as the other lakes don't charge a boat fee for this. He very rudely responded no discounts for anyone for anything, $38 dollars I don't care why you think you're special. All I did was ask a question. After all of that I finally got on the water and paddled out to a little beach of on the far side of the lagoon where there were many people and other paddleboards had paddled up as well. Almost immediately a lifeguard boat beached itself and came up to me and asked about my dog (she was on the board with me). He told me to make sure to keep her on a leash, which she was, and I told him absolutely I'm not trying to cause any problems and he left. Within 5 mins he drove his boat back onto the beach and began berating all of the paddle boarders saying the beach is closed to swimmers, you can't sit on a board in the water. Either beach the boards in the sand or paddle back "wading in the beach water" is not allowed. This didn't seem to make nor were there any signs stating this. After harassing 5 or 6 beach goers individually for the crime of going in the water he again got in his boat and left. Again, about 10 minutes later he beached his boat a 3rd time and told me alcohol is not allowed anywhere in the lake or park. I'd been holding the beer through now all 3 altercations now with now mention, there were again no signs stating this, and everyone on the beach or BBQing in the park just off the sand had a cooler. He told me to pour it out, which I did without arguing, and he went on to hassle everyone else at beach and park about it. Then he came back to me and told me to open my cooler and there could be a fine of $200 per beverage in my cooler. I again asked him where the sign was stating no alcohol in the park. He told me "the rules changed and people should know." At this point I'm royally pissed at how my day at the lake has gone and asked him for a badge number. He told me he didn't have because he's a lifeguard. I then told him "I've been very respectfully and compliant but at this point what you're doing is harassment and if he didn't have a badge I wasn't opening my cooler and he could hop back in his little boat and F$$k off." Then I paddled back to the launch point and started breaking things down to leave. A nice lady who rents boards and things asked me how my day was and told her honestly I didn't see myself ever coming back and explained my day to her. She said "That's why locals won't come here and this place is empty most of the time." 90% of the people I talk to have a similar experience. Disorganized and rude staff hassling everyone when they aren't doing anything wrong."Hope to see you again but totally understand why I probably won't.

We camped here for 2 nights, and went fishing, and kayaking on the lake. (Of course you need a fishing license for those asking.) I suggest looking on the website and reading the regulations so that you may have the most enjoyable experience. It was $9.00 to kayak and your kayak will be inspected. The camp sites are all $30/night. I liked the site we camped in but next time Im going to look for the lake view sites. I notice that they book out pretty fast at this site. Swimming ends after labor day I believe so best to go the dares that the swim beach is open if you want to go for a dip. This lake is beautiful.I truly enjoyed fishing and kayaking here, and next summer, Im coming out here to swim/snorkel. I want to especially express my gratitude for the staff. The guy that inspected our kayak was so nice and helpful. We spent a total of 69.00 for 2 nights camping and kayaking. They sell firewood as well on the site. I cannot believe after kayaking, I dropped my phone off the boat launch dock into the water while unloading. I notified the guy that does the boat check in and he notified base, who notified the lifeguard. Would you believe that the lifeguard came boating over to the dock, put on his dive mask, and dove in to look for my phone? Took him about 7 minutes in and out but he found it and my phone worked! I am so grateful for Richard Curl and I hope that he sees this review. I thought my phone was a lost cause at the bottom of the lake but he took the time and effort to get in that cold water at the end of the afternoon and retrieve my cell phone for me. Words cannot express my appreciation for him.If you are looking for a campsite that allows fire pit, fishing, swimming, kayaking, then this is tge lake. I like camping near water and Lake Castaic is a huge lake. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and I will be back! Thanks to all staff who help make this place thrive.

Bass gods answered tonight!! My mom with her first big boy Castaic lagoon night fishing

Depending on what you're coming here for, this place is so beautiful and a perfect place to bring your pets, friends, family, and especially if you have kids. There's so much open space and different ways you can walk that all have fantastic views. It's best to go when the weather is nice so you're able to walk around comfortably and can stay awhile. My favorite time is a little bit before sunset. Everyone is usually really nice and doing all sorts of activities. There are plenty of benches, grills, playgrounds, open spaces of grass and also parking along the streets before you turn right @ the stop sign (if you don't want to pay $12 for parking) and the walk to & fro is not bad at all! There's all different types of hiking trails further up the hill and even a lookout; just keep driving up a little and you'll see everyone parked in in different dirt areas. My favorite is the "3rd dirt area" as you keep going. Perfect for lovebirds and stoners, of course.

The obstacle course on the lake looks fun but it's packed with all these children and you can't get in the water anywhere near it. The side of the lake that you can swim in, is very murky and you can't even see the bottom. You can't take floaties because they'll start running towards you screaming "hey you can't swim over there! No floaties! Get out of the water!" (Happened to me, I have it on video)The workers will literally scream at you if you decide not to step in the murky water.