Lake Campgrounds With Swimming in Southern California

Richard Corrigan, Leaf Group Updated January 20, 2018

Southern California is a widely varied landscape, ranging from lush mountain forests and stark deserts to the bustling urban environment of Los Angeles and San Diego. Numerous lakes and reservoirs across the region provide a place to go swimming and camping. Many SoCal campgrounds are open to tents and RVs alike, and additional recreational opportunities like fishing, boating and hiking are often available as a bonus.

A Stone's Throw From the City

Many of Southern California's most frequently visited recreational lakes are a short drive away from the city. Lake Perris State Recreation Area, located on the shore of its namesake reservoir, is within 90 minutes of both Los Angeles and San Diego. The recreation area includes several campgrounds, with more than 400 campsites split between electric RV sites and primitive tent sites. Modern restrooms and hot showers are available, and each campsite includes a campfire grill and picnic table. You can also swim at several beaches within the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, though lifeguards are not on duty, so you must swim at your own risk. Castaic Lake, situated north of Los Angeles, is home to the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, which provides similar swimming and camping opportunities along with some of the best bass fishing in the state.

San Bernardino Mountain Adventures

Some of Southern California's most abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation can be found in San Bernardino National Forest. This 679,000-acre wilderness has dozens of campgrounds, including several that sit on the shores of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake. Most national forest campgrounds, including the North Shore Campground on Arrowhead Lake and the Grout Bay Campground on Big Bear Lake, are primitive tent campgrounds with minimal amenities. Several privately owned campgrounds and RV parks on Big Bear Lake include hookups and more modern amenities. Swimming is permitted at both lakes, and beaches are located within several campgrounds and picnic areas. Lifeguards are generally not provided. Both lakes are shadowed by the pine-covered slopes of the San Bernardino Mountains, which you can explore on hundreds of miles of hiking trails. You can find maps and additional information on the USDA Forest Service website.

Camping on the Colorado

Lake Havasu is a reservoir of nearly 20,000 acres along the Colorado River. Held back by the Parker Dam, this large lake is a hot spot for water sports of all kinds, including boating, water-skiing, sailing and windsurfing. Black Meadow Landing is a privately owned resort that provides a place to camp for both tents and RVs on the lake shore, with electric campsites, hot showers, a camp store and on-site laundry facilities. The campsites are generally open and spacious. Black Meadow Landing also includes a sandy beach and swimming lagoon on the lake, and swimming is permitted from private watercraft. Launch facilities are provided at Black Meadow Landing. Lake Havasu straddles the border between California and Arizona, and numerous additional campgrounds are available on the Arizona side.

A Vast Inland Sea

California's largest lake, the Salton Sea, spans 376 square miles. Known for its clear, saline water – the Salton Sea is even saltier than the Pacific Ocean –this lake is a major recreational hub, with numerous beaches along its 100-mile shoreline. Several beaches are part of the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, which also includes five campgrounds with 1,600 sites. Campsites range from primitive tent areas to full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer and electricity. As with most California state parks and state recreation areas, reservations are available by phone or online through Reserve America. Some sites are strictly first-come, first served. The recreation area also includes lakeside picnic areas, boat launch facilities and fishing access, and a few privately owned beaches, campgrounds and marinas are also available around the shore.