Outdoors
Lakes near El Cajon
26 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
26
Closest
4.8 mi
Lake Murray
Within 10 miles
7
Reservoirs
19
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 26 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 4.8miLake Murray
- 5.2miKumeyaay Lake
- 6miLake Emma
- 6.1miLake Jenningsreservoir
- 6.9miSweetwater Reservoirreservoir
- 8.4miSan Vicente Reservoirreservoir
- 10miUpper Otay Reservoirreservoir
- 10.9miEl Capitan Reservoirreservoir
- 11.2miLoveland Reservoirreservoir
- 11.5miMiramar Reservoirreservoir
- 11.8miLower Otay Reservoir
- 14miPalo Verde Lakereservoir
- 14.9miLake Powayreservoir
- 16.3miLake Ramonareservoir
- 19.1miBarrett Reserviorreservoir
- 19.8miLake Hodgesreservoir
- 21.6miSan Dieguito Reservoir
- 21.7miOlivenhain Reservoirreservoir
- 22.4miCorte Madera Lake
- 23.2miLake Val Serenoreservoir
- 24.3miLake Sutherlandreservoir
- 25.6miDixon Reservoirreservoir
- 25.8miLake Cuyamacareservoir
- 26miMorena Reservoirreservoir
- 26.1miLake Wohlfordreservoir
- 26.5miLake San Marcos
Straight-line distance from the center of El Cajon; 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 El Cajon?
Lake Murray, about 4.8 miles from the center of El Cajon.
How many lakes are near El Cajon?
26 named lakes are within 30 miles, 7 of them within 10 miles.
Are the lakes near El Cajon natural?
19 of the 26 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.