Outdoors
Lakes near Downey
28 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
28
Closest
7.7 mi
Legg Lake
Within 10 miles
1
Reservoirs
19
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 28 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 7.7miLegg Lake
- 11.8miEcho Park Lake
- 11.8miRivers Lake
- 13.4miSilver Lake Reservoirreservoir
- 14.7miBaldwin Lake
- 15.9miSanta Fe Lake
- 16.1miEaton Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 16.8miHollywood Reservoirreservoir
- 17.2miAnaheim Lakereservoir
- 18.1miLake Huntingtonreservoir
- 21.3miPuddingstone Reservoirreservoir
- 21.7miMorris Reservoirreservoir
- 21.8miStone Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 22.7miCogswell Reservoirreservoir
- 23.1miWalnut Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 23.9miPeters Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 25miSan Gabriel Reservoirreservoir
- 25.6miSan Dimas Reservoirreservoir
- 26miEncino Reservoirreservoir
- 26.3miIrvine Lakereservoir
- 26.4miNorth Lake
- 26.5miSouth Lake
- 26.6miSanta Ynez Reservoirreservoir
- 26.6miLake Balboa
- 27miRattlesnake Reservoirreservoir
- 27.9miSan Joaquin Reservoirreservoir
- 28.1miSand Canyon Reservoirreservoir
- 29miPrado Reservoir
Straight-line distance from the center of Downey; 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.
HikingFishingBoatingWeather by monthDay tripsBeaches near DowneyWaterfalls near DowneyScenic viewpoints near DowneyCaves near DowneyHot springs near Downey
Questions
What is the closest lake to Downey?
Legg Lake, about 7.7 miles from the center of Downey.
How many lakes are near Downey?
28 named lakes are within 30 miles, 1 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near Downey natural?
19 of the 28 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.