Outdoors
Lakes near Carson
20 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
20
Closest
8.9 mi
Rivers Lake
Within 10 miles
1
Reservoirs
12
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 20 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 8.9miRivers Lake
- 16.3miEcho Park Lake
- 17.3miLake Huntingtonreservoir
- 17.6miLegg Lake
- 18.1miSilver Lake Reservoirreservoir
- 19.8miHollywood Reservoirreservoir
- 21.8miStone Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 23.7miAnaheim Lakereservoir
- 23.9miSanta Ynez Reservoirreservoir
- 24miBaldwin Lake
- 24.8miEaton Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 25.6miEncino Reservoirreservoir
- 25.9miSanta Fe Lake
- 27.2miLake Balboa
- 28.5miSan Joaquin Reservoirreservoir
- 28.6miSouth Lake
- 28.7miPeters Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 28.9miNorth Lake
- 29.3miWalnut Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 29.8miSand Canyon Reservoirreservoir
Straight-line distance from the center of Carson; driving and trail distances are longer.
Before you go
Many reservoirs are drinking-water supplies with no swimming or body contact. Look for a designated swim beach.
Green, scummy or paint-like water can be a toxic blue-green algae bloom. Keep kids and dogs out and check the county advisory.
Boat launches often need a day pass or inspection for invasive mussels, and anglers 16 and older usually need a state fishing license.
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Questions
What is the closest lake to Carson?
Rivers Lake, about 8.9 miles from the center of Carson.
How many lakes are near Carson?
20 named lakes are within 30 miles, 1 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Carson natural?
12 of the 20 are reservoirs made by dams; the rest are mapped as natural lakes. Swimming rules differ, so check each one.
Sources: Wikidata and OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked 2026-11-08; photos from Wikimedia Commons under the licenses shown. Access, fees and conditions change; check before visiting.