Though Southern California is better known for its sunny oceanfront beaches, there are a number of local campgrounds that allow visitors to take a dip in their still, freshwater lakes. Within a few hours' drive from the more populous cities along the coast, you can find lakes hidden among forests, mountain ranges and even in the desert.
Pyramid Lake Los Alamos Campground -- Angeles National Forest
- You won't have to go far to enjoy the scenic Pyramid Lake. Just a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, the lake is surrounded by the well-protected Angeles National Forest, in the hills that make up the northern border of the Santa Clarita Valley. The campground, which has 93 family sites and three group sites available, is just less than two miles from the water's edge and has potable water and toilets. The lake offers fishing, wake boarding, water skiing, kayaking and rowing in addition to swimming.
Dogwood Campground -- Arrowhead
- Named for the trees that dot the area around it, Dogwood Campground offers a sense of seclusion, but doesn't skimp on the amenities. The campground is 20 miles northeast of San Bernardino and just 15 minutes from Lake Gregory, which offers overheated campers the respite of swimming, boating and fishing. Dogwood has 93 campsites, an amphitheater that hosts weekend campfire events and ample hiking trails that wind through the nearby forest.
Yucaipa Regional Park -- Yucaipa
- Yucaipa Regional Park, just over an hour east of Los Angeles, invites visitors to take advantage of its three tranquil lakes. The swim area includes water slides and a white-sand beach. The campground has space for 42 trailers and nine tent campers, as well as grills, fire rings and facilities where you can take a hot shower after a long day of cooling off in the lake. You can also fish for trout, catfish and bass year-round, and rent a pedal boat or aqua cycle during the summer months.
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area -- Silverwood Lake
- Just northwest of Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory, and east of Angeles National Forest, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area is another peaceful getaway amid the shade and beauty of the forest. It is also one of five California state parks on the itinerary for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches over 2,650 miles through three states from Mexico to Canada. The lake is broken up into sections for swimming, boating, water-skiing and fishing.
