Castaic Lake State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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When you think of the Los Angeles and surrounding areas, you may naturally think of the dry and desert-like landscape that surrounds the city. However, at Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, you will experience a water oasis of boating and swimming fun that is located next to Santa Clarita. Castaic Lake is fed by water from the California Aqueduct and by Castaic Creek with 29 miles of shoreline. The lake is only 40 miles away from Los Angeles and is even closer to Mountasia Family Fun Center.
Spring 47 - 79 F
Summer 53 - 94 F
Fall 49 - 91 F
Winter 45 - 66 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
Besides staying inside the Castaic Lake park, you can also stay at many of the numerous RV parks in the area. Taking your own motorhome or a rental RV from RVshare is one of the best ways to enjoy this lake and the surrounding attractions, and you can find a fun place to park your RV at any time of the year.
Valencia Travel Village
Valencia Travel Village, a large RV resort, is a shady and peaceful respite from the road. It offers advanced security, and you will appreciate the many amenities for the family. The park is conveniently located on Hwy 126 West, a mile west of I-5 and only 2 miles from Magic Mountain Parkway. While staying at Valencia Travel Village, you will be close to all the attractions that Los Angeles has to offer, like Disneyland, Universal Studios, the Gene Autry Western Museum, the Los Angeles Zoo and Griffith Observatory and Park.
• Number of sites: 381 pull-through and back-in sites
• Rates: $65 daily, $364 weekly, $1,000 monthly
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical: 30 and 50 amp
• Pool: Two heated pools, kiddie pool, spa
• Wi-Fi: Available at several places around the park
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed
• Showers: Yes
• Camp store: Groceries, propane, accessories
• Other amenities: Laundry, playground
Soledad Canyon RV & Camping Resort
Soledad Canyon RV & Camping Resort is located below the San Gabriel Mountains and offers spectacular views from all of the campsites. There are game courts for pickleball and tennis, a miniature golf course, shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, a playground and many more outside activities. You will enjoy the biking and hiking trails in and around the park, and there are multiple activities and events for the whole family. Large picnic areas surround the largest swimming pool in the west, and the park is only an hour from Los Angeles and all the fun you can find there.
• Number of sites: 854
• Rates: Call for rates
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical: 30 and 50 amp
• Wi-Fi: Available
• Pool: Pool and hot tub
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed on a leash
• Showers: Available
• Other amenities: Playground, an onsite library, game room with billiards
Castaic Lake RV Park
Castaic Lake RV Park is close to Castaic Lake and offers easy access to the lake and its resident activities, and it has all the conveniences of an RV park. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., so you will appreciate the restful atmosphere. There is a handy camp store where you can pick up supplies, and the park is close to Magic Mountain. Disneyland and Universal Studios are only an hour away.
• Number of sites: 103 back-in and pull-through sites
• Rates: $55 daily; call for weekly and monthly rates
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical: 30 and 50 amp
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed
• Showers: Available
• Other amenities: Solar panel charging stations, RV repair services available
What to Do at
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
Inside Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
The lake consists of two bodies of water with the Lower Lake for non-power boating, canoeing, and swimming. Upper Lake is for power boating, skiing, jet skiing, sailing, and fishing. The lake is stocked with bass, trout, and catfish, and boat rentals, and a tackle bait shop that are available for your convenience. Other recreational activities include hiking, biking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds.
Outside Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
When you want to take a break from enjoying the lake, you have plenty of opportunities for shopping, eating out and taking in the local attractions.
Restaurants
Piccola Trattoria
You will enjoy the authentic Italian cuisine served by the owner and her family at Piccola Trattoria. The menu features fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and homemade pizzas. Sit back and relax with warming dishes and wine. The restaurant is open for dinner.
Type: Italian
Location: Santa Clarita, C
Le Chene French Cuisine
Le Chene opened its doors in 1980 and has been serving fine French cuisine ever since. Entrees include Beef Tongue with Capers, Red Snapper Bell Meuniere, Cornish Hen with Peppercorn Sauce, Black Angus Bone-In Rib Eye, and many other dishes. The restaurant has a wine cellar and a patio open for dinner.
Type: French
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
The owners of Lazy Dog specialize in locally sourced, fresh, seasonal food. The menu items are made fresh every day by hand, including the sauces, dressings, and marinades. The menu offers casual dining, and the chefs offer soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, homemade salsa, wraps, chicken wings, and more. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Type: American
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Wicked Chicken
This small diner has a large menu of chicken sandwiches, burgers, and sides. You can get many specialty flavors and sauces, and there are several TVs for viewing while eating. The restaurant also serves craft beer and is open for lunch and dinner.
Type: Chicken
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Temakitto
Temakitto bills itself as the first Japanese Burrito restaurant in Southern California. The cooks offer Asian-style burritos, tacos, pizzas, nachos, and quesadillas that feature all types of ocean fish. Everything is fresh and fast, and the restaurant has a loyal following. It is open for lunch and dinner.
Type: Asian/Mexican
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Shopping
Valencia Crossroads
This shopping center has new, spread-out retail shops. They feature a wide variety of clothing, jewelry, gifts, food, and other types of stores.
Location: Valencia, CA
Valencia Marketplace
This shopping center is a mile long and features over 60 stores. There are many well-known retail stores and Walmart.
Location: Valencia, CA
The Country Antique Fair Mall
This popular antique mall has been around since 1979. In 1985, the mall expanded to 12,000 square feet and has space for over 100 dealers, many of whom have been selling at the mall since the beginning. There is literally something for everyone at the Country Antique Fair Mall.
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Old Town Newhall
The downtown district of Santa Clarita has been revitalized into a street-wide length of shops, centers, restaurants, a library, and even a theater. This is a hopping place both day and night, and there are many places to shop, eat, and have all kinds of fun.
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Sightseeing
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain is a fun theme park that has rides, attractions, shows, and food for the whole family. Like all Six Flags theme parks, there are roller coasters for the big folks and a dedicated kiddie area with children's rides. Loony Tunes characters populate the park.
Location: Valencia, CA
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
This is a large water park that offers a variety of water slides, water-based attractions, and dining options. You can float on the Lazy River or shoot down a water slide. There is also a kid zone with a lagoon.
Location: Valencia, CA
Mountasia Family Fun Center
There is a wide variety of family games and activities at Mountasia Family Fun Center. You can ride bumper boats and go-karts, play miniature golf and laser tag, and climb a rock wall. There are old-school arcade games, and you can enjoy eating ice cream when you are taking a break.
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Vasquez Rocks
This scenic desert rock formation has been included in many movies from western classics to modern sitcoms. You can pose in front to take a picture and then climb to the top of the rocks.
Location: Agua Dulce, CA
The Gentle Barn
You will enjoy your visit to The Gentle Barn, an animal rescue facility that features many farm animals that have been rescued and rehabilitated. Visitors can interact with the animals in a barn setting and learn about their general care.
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
How to Get to
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
The recreation area can be reached by exiting Interstate 5 at Hughes Lake Road, 41 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. From Ventura, it is 51 miles to Castaic Lake via Highway 126 and Interstate 5.
By Car
Entering Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
The park is typically open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year. Officials will post the Off the Water time each day. Visit @lacountyparks on Twitter, @parks.lacounty.gov on Facebook and @lacountyparks on Instagram for all the latest news for Castaic Lake State Recreation Area.
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area Vehicle entry : $11.0
Daily ($5 for Senior/Disabled)
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area RV permit : $14.0
Daily
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area Bus permit : $30.0
Daily
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area Vehicle annual pass : $150.0
($75 for Senior/Disabled)
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is a great destination for your next road trip. It has many different types of boating and other water-based recreational activities, so you and your family are sure to have a blast. We here at RVshare want to share your vacation highlights with you, so send them to us at [email protected] for us to post them on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Castaic Lake State Recreation Area
Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is most popular in the summer due to its two beautiful lakes. Feel free to swim or canoe on the lower lake. Sailing, fishing, power boating, and jet skiing are allowed on the upper lake.
This area of Southern California has a Mediterranean or dry subtropical climate. There's little precipitation all year long, and temperatures are often warm or hot. Most of the rainfall occurs during the mild winters.
Campers at the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area often spot opossums, raccoons, coyotes, deer, squirrels, and a variety of waterfowl. Egrets, crows, swallows, finches, and quail are common local birds.
There are about 12 campsites meant only for RV use here. These sites are right on the water and within easy driving distance of restrooms, the boat launch, and the informational kiosk.
Feel free to explore all that Castaic Lake State Recreation Area has to offer with your pet. Be sure to bring plenty of water and clean up your pet's waste. Note that pets are not permitted in the water.