Wander.     Adventure.     Discover.

The swimming season has come to a close here at Lake Piru. Our season officially runs Memorial Day to Labor Day and that window has closed. This is a friendly reminder that swimming from the shoreline is not permitted at this time and could result in a citation for failure to comply. Swimming will resume beginning Memorial Day 2024. Water sports such as water skiing and tubing are still permitted, so long as participants are wearing a Coast Guard approved flotation device.

Dear Lake Piru Visitors:

It’s been an unprecedented year for rainfall throughout the state and there is an abundance of available water. In addition, the coming year’s forecast is shaping up to be a second straight wet year. To help other regions prepare for significant flood mitigation and to take advantage of the opportunity of the excess available water that can be put to beneficial use here in Ventura County, beginning on July 10, 2023, we will begin drawing down the reservoir level in Lake Piru, using the water to recharge groundwater basins in the Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula, and Oxnard areas. This recharge operation also helps to fight seawater intrusion along the coast, another extremely beneficial use of this water.

The draw down will take several weeks/months so that swimming, fishing and boating will still be possible at Lake Piru through summer. We fully anticipate, however, that come November, we will once again be filling the reservoir as excess State Water from Northern California becomes available and winter storms bring more runoff. For information on how the water in Lake Piru benefits the region, please visit the United Water Conservation District (owners and operators of Lake Piru and the Santa Felicia Dam) website at www.unitedwater.org.

Personal watercraft (PWCs) will be limited to no more than 20 units on the reservoir at any given time. No vessels will be permitted past the 5 mph buoy line at the Reservoir’s South End near Santa Felicia Dam. This area will remain closed until further notice.

Our lake and shores offer so much more.

There are no limits to fun at Lake Piru! Whether you are seeking adventure or relaxation, you can find it here. Nestled in the Los Padres National Forest, picturesque Lake Piru offers an escape from city life, with a tree-shaded campground, fishing, boating and water sports. Or chill at our lakeside picnic area with a playground, horseshoes, disc golf and more. All this less than an hour’s drive from Los Angeles!

Amenities

Camping

238 sites for RVs, campers, trailers, and tents; hookups; restrooms, showers, laundry

Boating

66 boat slips, launch ramp, marina store and boat rentals (coming soon)

Fishing

Shoreline fishing, tournaments, fish cleaning station, tackle sales

Water sports

Water skiing, personal watercraft, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding

Shore activities

Picnicking, swimming (Memorial Day to Labor Day), playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, 9-hole disc golf course

Wifi

WiFi is now available in most Lake Piru campsites! For details, contact a park ranger or inquire at the entry kiosk upon your arrival.

LAKE PIRU RECREATION AREA OPEN FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPING

Reservations are now available online – The Lake is open from 7 am to 5 pm.

We’ve been making a number of improvements to the Lake Piru Recreation Area during the past few months and are excited to welcome guests back to enjoy overnight camping, as well as boating, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, waterskiing, hiking and more family fun activities outdoors and on shore including picnicking, basketball courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits and a 9-hole disc golf course!

Try our new and improved online reservation system where you can view all available campsites, select your camping dates and specific site, include additional guests, vehicles, pets and order amenities like firewood or ice from the Lake Piru store, and charge it all to your credit or debit card. You can also purchase Day Use passes online, print the pass and place it on your vehicle’s dashboard and get waived on through at the Lake Piru entry kiosk!

If you need help with your reservation or have a specific special request, please contact our Lake Piru Rangers at (805) 521-1500.

Beat the rush!

Visit our online store and get everything you need for camping and fun at Lake Piru.

Skip the lines and pay in advance for day and boating passes and pet fees. When you purchase a day pass online, you can print it at home and get waved through at the entry kiosk. You can even order that bundle of firewood you need for toasting marshmallows!

Click the button below to visit our secure site and pay using a credit card. Then just print your passes at home and you’ll be ready to explore Lake Piru from the moment you arrive!

Make a Camping Reservation

To reserve a campsite, please select your desired dates and location on the map below.
For questions, please email Reservations Coordinator Kathryn Prado at kathrynp@unitedwater.org.

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