Lake Cachuma: what to know before you go

Lake Cachuma quick facts

Where

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, Highway 154, about 12 miles east of Solvang

What's new (Jul 2026)

Noozhawk reported the RV campground, closed since December 2023 for a $14.1 million renewal, should reopen by early fall 2026. The rest of the park and campground is open

Day use

Daily 6am–sunset; closed Christmas Day

Entry

$10 per vehicle (county fee schedule)

Camping

Sites, hookups, yurts, cabins and group sites. Book via County Parks reservations

Reservations

Up to 6 months ahead, online or 805-568-2460 option 3; non-refundable fee $10 per site, $20 per yurt

Yurts

7 yurts sleeping 3 to 6: small $75–90, medium $85–100, large $100–120 a night (county fee schedule as of Jan 2023); no bathroom inside

Boat rentals

Daily 6:30am–6:30pm; last rental out by 4pm. Renters 18+ with a license. 16-ft boat from $75 for 2 hours; kayak $25 first hour

Water level

84% of capacity, 130% of the historical average for the date (state Department of Water Resources, midnight Oct 16, 2026)

Nature center

Neal Taylor Nature Center: Thu–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 10am–2pm, closed Mon–Wed; donation

Phone

Camp store 805-688-5246; bait shop 805-688-4040

Food

Hook'd Bar & Grill by the marina launch ramp: Mon–Thu 11am–4pm, Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 9am–5pm (its site, Oct 17, 2026)

Things to do at Lake Cachuma with kids

Families get more than a lake here. The county's park brochure lists what's there beyond the water: children's playgrounds, fishing piers, about four miles of trails, a summer swimming pool (generally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, with set swim sessions) and a general store. On the lake, children 11 and younger must wear a life vest at all times.

• Neal Taylor Nature Center: hands-on exhibits on wildlife, geology, Chumash culture and Bradbury Dam. Open Thursday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 10am to 2pm, by donation.
• Kayak or boat: rent at the marina (kayaks $25 the first hour) or launch your own after the county inspection. See boat rentals.
• Lake cruise: the county's naturalist-led cruises are out of service until further notice. See lake cruises.

The brochure is from 2015 and the RV campground has since been rebuilt, so confirm the pool season and programs with the park at 805-686-5055 before you promise anyone a swim.

Is there a Lake Cachuma map?

Yes. The county's Cachuma Lake Recreation Area brochure prints a map of the whole park, with the campground loops, marina, nature center, pools, playgrounds and trails, and the marina hands out a lake map for anglers. For campsite numbers and availability, use the map view on the county reservation site. Site by site advice is in our Lake Cachuma camping guide.

Why can't you swim in Lake Cachuma?

Because it's a drinking water reservoir. The lake's operator describes it as "a non-body-contact reservoir", so swimming and wading are out. Boating, fishing and kayaking are allowed, and boats must pass a county inspection first.

Can you camp at Lake Cachuma?

Yes. Santa Barbara County Parks runs basic and hookup sites, yurts, cabins and group sites, the largest for up to 120 campers. Book through the county's reservation site. Entering outside day-use hours is charged as camping.

Site-by-site prices, which hookup sites take tents, the cabins and group areas are in our Lake Cachuma camping guide.

How do you make Lake Cachuma camping reservations?

Through Santa Barbara County Parks, online at the county reservation site or by phone at 805-568-2460, option 3. The county says camping reservations open up to 6 months ahead. Each booking carries a non-refundable reservation fee: $10 for a campsite and $20 for a yurt, plus $5 to change a reservation (county fee schedule as of Jan 2023).

Yurt check-in is 3pm and check-out is 11am, with no late check-out: the county charges $35 if you haven't left by 11am and $25 for an unreturned key. Quiet hours are 10pm to 7am. The park office is open 7am to 3:30pm, and the gate is staffed 7am to 5pm, so plan to arrive in time to collect keys.

What are the Lake Cachuma yurts like, and how much do they cost?

The county describes the yurts as "a cross between a permanent tent and a tepee": platform bunk beds with vinyl pads, a lockable door, a ceiling light, a heater, an electric outlet and screened windows. Outside each one there's a picnic table, a charcoal barbecue, a fire ring and a water spigot. There's no bathroom inside; the county says restrooms, showers and a playground are close by, with a portable toilet next to the yurts. All yurts and decks are non-smoking, and barbecues aren't allowed on the porches.

Price: the county fee schedule (as of Jan 2023) lists small yurts at $75–90 a night, medium $85–100 and large $100–120, depending on season, plus the $20 reservation fee. The schedule's peak and off-peak labels don't line up consistently, so check the exact rate when you book. Older listings quote $60–70 with a $15 fee; that isn't what the county lists.

How much does it cost to rent a boat at Lake Cachuma?

The marina's posted rates (explorecachumalake.com):

The marina adds a fuel surcharge of $15 for a 2-hour rental and $30 for longer. Renters must be 18 or older with a valid driver's license and stay on board, and infants and dogs count toward capacity. Rentals run 6:30am to 6:30pm daily, the last boat goes out by 4pm, and everything must be back by closing. Book online through the marina or call the bait shop at 805-688-4040. Older listings quote kayaks at $15–20 an hour or about $50 a day; the marina's own rates are higher.

Bringing your own boat? Every vessel, kayaks included, needs a county inspection at the front gate, 7am to 3pm daily with no appointment. Kayaks and canoes must arrive clean, drained and dry. All boats launch from the main ramp only, the limit is 25 feet, and kayaks must be off the lake an hour before closing. Swimming, paddleboarding and other body contact with the water are not allowed.

What is the Lake Cachuma water level today?

As of midnight on Oct 16, 2026, the state Department of Water Resources listed Cachuma at 84% of capacity and 130% of its historical average for the date, in its daily California Major Water Supply Reservoirs report. For today's figure, check the state's CDEC reservoir page for Cachuma (CCH), which updates daily, or the county's rainfall and reservoir summary.

Are the Lake Cachuma cruises running?

No. The county's Lake Cruise page says the Cachuma Lake tour boat cruises are out of service until further notice. To ask about their return, email the park naturalist at clnaturalist@countyofsb.org or call 805-568-2460.

Where can you eat at Lake Cachuma?

At Hook'd Bar & Grill, the lake's restaurant, which sits by the marina launch ramp at 116 Lakeview Drive. It has a full bar and a wine list, and its site lists hours of Monday to Thursday 11am–4pm, Friday 11am–6pm, Saturday 9am–7pm and Sunday 9am–5pm, closed Thanksgiving. The weekend opening at 9am is the one to catch for breakfast before a boat rental.

The menu starts with breakfast burritos, including a tri-tip hash burrito with oak-smoked tri-tip, scrambled eggs and jack cheese, and a bacon burrito with Cachuma home fries. You can order online for pickup. The restaurant's site says to get a 2-hour free pass at the park entrance, so ask at the gate if you're only coming to eat. Call (805) 350-8351 or see hookdbarandgrill.com. For a longer lunch, Cold Spring Tavern is 9.8 miles down Highway 154.

What can you catch at Lake Cachuma, and is there a fishing report?

The marina and the county list rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, red-ear sunfish and channel catfish. California fishing licenses, bait and tackle are sold at the marina store.

The county's fishing page says trout of 12 to 21 inches are frequently caught and puts the lake records at 15 pounds for trout and 32¾ pounds for catfish. Largemouth bass spawn in the shallows in April, May and June, with smallmouth moving in first. For trout, the county says a private stocking permit for the 2025/2026 season allows up to 16,000 pounds of tagged, triploid rainbow trout; stocking is limited because endangered Southern California steelhead live in the Santa Ynez River. For the latest fishing report, call the bait shop at 805-688-4040.

Don’t miss

• The marina rents kayaks and boats; the county's lake cruises are out of service until further notice. source
• The RV campground, closed since December 2023 for renewal, was due to reopen by early fall 2026 (Noozhawk, Jul 2026). (2026-07) source
• Last boat rental goes out by 4pm. source

You might also like

• Sunstone Winery · about 19 min drive (10.5 mi). The nearest winery on the way back to the valley. Tip: Stone barrel caves and lavender courtyards; open seven days, 11am–5pm. Dogs welcome. Official site · source
• The Ballard Inn · about 19 min drive (11 mi). A quiet bed after a lake day. Tip: Wine and cheese hour runs 4–6pm daily. Official site · source
• Mission Santa Inés · about 21 min drive (11.9 mi). History on the drive home. Tip: Docent tours need booking two weeks ahead. Official site · source

Drive times are without traffic.

Nearby: eat, taste, stay

• Things to do in Santa Ynez: The township 12 minutes west
• Cold Spring Tavern: Lunch 9.8 mi down Highway 154 (16 min)
• Chumash Painted Cave: Chumash rock art off Highway 154
• Lake Cachuma camping: Every site type, cabin and group area, with prices
• Jalama Beach camping: The county's coastal campground
• Santa Ynez restaurants: The nearest dinner, back down Highway 154
• Santa Ynez wineries: Stone caves, a farm lunch · Tasting rooms on the way back
• Santa Ynez hotels: If you'd rather not camp
• Alisal Ranch: Lake fishing and horseback riding, for ranch guests

Quick answers

Why can't you swim in Lake Cachuma?

It's a drinking water reservoir, described by its operator as non-body-contact, so swimming and wading aren't allowed.

What are the fees for entering Lake Cachuma?

Day use is $10 per vehicle under the county fee schedule. Hikers and cyclists pay less, and boat launches cost extra.

What is Lake Cachuma known for?

Fishing, boating, camping and yurts, plus a nature center. The county's naturalist-led lake cruises are out of service until further notice.

What are Lake Cachuma's hours?

Day use runs 6am to sunset daily, and the park is closed Christmas Day.

How far is Lake Cachuma from Solvang?

About 12 miles east of Solvang, on Highway 154.

Is there a restaurant at Lake Cachuma?

Yes. Hook'd Bar & Grill is by the marina launch ramp at 116 Lakeview Drive, with a full bar. Its site lists Monday to Thursday 11am to 4pm, Friday 11am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm.

How do I make Lake Cachuma reservations?

Through Santa Barbara County Parks, online or at 805-568-2460, option 3. Reservations open up to 6 months ahead, with a non-refundable $10 fee per campsite or $20 per yurt.

How much is a yurt at Lake Cachuma?

The county fee schedule lists small yurts at $75–90 a night, medium $85–100 and large $100–120, depending on season, plus a $20 non-refundable reservation fee.

Do the Lake Cachuma yurts have bathrooms inside?

No. Restrooms and showers are close by, and there is a portable toilet next to the yurts. Inside you get bunk beds with pads, a heater, a light and an outlet.

How much does it cost to rent a boat at Lake Cachuma?

A 16-foot boat and motor is $75 for 2 hours, $150 for a half day and $200 all day, plus a fuel surcharge. Pontoons start at $190 for 2 hours. Kayaks are $25 for the first hour and $100 all day.

What is the water level at Lake Cachuma?

The state listed Cachuma at 84% of capacity, 130% of its historical average, as of midnight Oct 16, 2026. Check CDEC station CCH for today's figure.

Is there a Lake Cachuma fishing report?

Call the marina bait shop at 805-688-4040 for the current report. The county lists the lake records at 15 pounds for trout and 32¾ pounds for catfish.

Is Lake Cachuma a state park?

No. It is the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area, run by Santa Barbara County Parks, so camping and day use are booked through the county, not California State Parks.

Can you kayak in Lake Cachuma?

Yes. Kayaks and canoes are allowed once they pass the county inspection and wash, and life vests must be worn. The marina rents kayaks from $25 for the first hour.

What activities are there at Cachuma Lake?

Boating, kayaking and fishing, about four miles of trails, the Neal Taylor Nature Center, playgrounds and a summer pool, per the county. Swimming in the lake itself is not allowed.