Outdoors
Lakes near Imperial Beach
14 named lakes within 30 miles, nearest first, with a map and directions.
Lakes within 30 mi
14
Closest
10.7 mi
Sweetwater Reservoir
Reservoirs
10
Worth the drive
Map
Map of 14 places loads as you scroll.
All lakes, nearest first
- 10.7miSweetwater Reservoirreservoir
- 11.4miUpper Otay Reservoirreservoir
- 11.4miLower Otay Reservoir
- 14.5miLake Murray
- 18.4miKumeyaay Lake
- 20miLake Emma
- 22.9miMiramar Reservoirreservoir
- 23miLake Jenningsreservoir
- 24.5miLoveland Reservoirreservoir
- 25.2miSan Vicente Reservoirreservoir
- 27.3miEl Capitan Reservoirreservoir
- 27.7miPalo Verde Lakereservoir
- 27.8miBarrett Reserviorreservoir
- 29.8miLake Powayreservoir
Straight-line distance from the center of Imperial Beach; 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 Imperial Beach?
Sweetwater Reservoir, about 10.7 miles from the center of Imperial Beach.
How many lakes are near Imperial Beach?
14 named lakes are within 30 miles.
Are the lakes near Imperial Beach natural?
10 of the 14 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.