Lake Pyramid offers a variety of recreational
opportunities for visitors year round, including
kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing,
swimming, jet and water skiing. This good-size,
rustic lake is located in the rugged foothills
above Santa Clarita Valley, in the Angeles
National Forest, about 60-miles northwest of Los
Angeles. Novice paddlers may only want to paddle
the first four coves on the eastern side of the
lake, especially if the winds have begun to blow
by the time you reach the Tin Cup picnic area.
On Saturdays and Sundays at the Emigrant
Landing launch area, there is usually a long
waiting line. Only 150 vehicles are allowed
at a time.A maximum number of boats are set
daily on Pyramid Lake. Get there early on
weekends. Once the limit is set, boats and
jet skis will only be allowed to enter
Emigrants Landing Boat Launch area as boats
or skiers leave the lake.
Vasquero, the
second boat launch area located off of the
Vista del Lago Road exit, is open Memorial
Day weekend to Labor Day. Either way, you
will need to arrive by 6am if you intend to paddle the
entire lake and avoid strong gusty winds.
Another advantage of paddling early is you
can often catch a glimpse of deer grazing in
Priest and Glory Hole Coves. Also, you’ll
paddle on flat water before the boat traffic
and strong gusty winds begin.
Boating speed limits differ in parts of the
lake. Canoes, rubber rafts and rowboats are
often seen in the canyons where power boats
are restricted to low speeds. Higher
speeds for waterskiing are allowed on the
main body of the lake. 35mph is the maximum
boat speed limit, though I have often seen
boats travel a lot faster.
Map of Lake Pyramid
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