Sepulveda Dam
23 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
The Sepulveda Dam's recreation facilities are managed by the City of Los Angeles Parks.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Thousand Oaks
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Thousand Oaks for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
21places to see wildlife
23 mito the closest
2within 30 miles
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
Hansen Dam
28 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
Anacapa Island
31 mi southwest · National Park Service
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
Map of all 21 places
Map of 21 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (2)
Sepulveda Dam
The Sepulveda Dam's recreation facilities are managed by the City of Los Angeles Parks.
- Biking
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Hansen Dam
The City of Los Angeles manages the extensive day-use facilities, including golf and riding stables, are available at this site in the San Fernando Valley.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (15)
Anacapa Island
Once visitors have scaled the rugged cliffs using the stairwell from the Landing Cove, they will be rewarded with a campground perched on the bluffs with magnificent coastal views.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- History
Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground
Los Alamos Campground is located 90 minutes from Los Angeles, offering a restful experience without the lengthy travel time.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Santa Cruz Island Scorpion
Fantastic ocean views and relaxing beach time is practically guaranteed at Scorpion Canyon Campground, the most family-friendly campsite on Santa Cruz Island.
- Beach
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Evening Programs
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
Lightning Point Group Campground
Lightning Point Campground sits at an elevation of 6,100 feet, about 25 miles southeast of Palmdale and roughly 35 miles north of the San Fernando Valley.
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Angeles National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
Whittier Narrows Dam
This project is managed by Los Angeles County Parks and the City of Pico Rivera. Whittier Narrows has no permanent pool.
- Biking
- Boating
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Santa Fe Dam
Facilities at Santa Fe are operated by Los Angeles County Parks. Swimming, fishing, non-power boating, hiking and picnicking are available. Of interest are the five distinct biological communities within the area.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Fullerton Dam
Managed by Orange County, CA, there are facilities fishing, picnics, nature exhibits, handball and field sports. No permanent pool.
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources.
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Snorkeling
Carbon Canyon Dam
Managed by Orange County, there is no permanent pool, but varied facilities such as fishing, picnic areas, a nature trail, and tennis. The site of the historic oil boom town of Olinda. Adjoins Chino Hills State Park.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
The waters that swirl around the five islands within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary create a special place for several species of plants and animals.
- Boating
- Diving
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Snorkeling
Cachuma Lake
Cachuma Reservoir, formed by Bradbury Dam , offers a prime recreational opportunity for the south central coast area of California.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
- Nature education
Prado Dam
This San Bernardino County Parks managed area is an oasis within one of the fastest growing areas of Southern California. Riverside County and the City of Corona also provide recreation facilities.
- Boating
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Traver Ranch
The Traver Ranch was established in the 1940's when the family purchased approximately 800 acres and began building the large block house that still stands along the edge of Soda Lake Road.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Temblor Recreation Area
Temblor Recreation Area was newly designated in the Bakersfield RMP (December 2014) and provides opportunities for OHV riding on a network of over 200 miles of designated routes, recreational shooting, hunting, and other dispersed forms of…
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (4)
Carrizo Plain National Monument
All vehicles including UTVs on the monument must be street-legal (DMV plated) and all vehicles must stay on roads. REMINDER: Please follow warning signs and respect private property when visiting your public lands.
- Biking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Van Matre Ranch
The Van Matre family owned several farm properties throughout the plain. This property, known to them as "The Camp" was orginally homesteaded by Jerry Hagerty in 1930.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Painted Rock
The sandstone formation at Painted Rock has long drawn the attention of Carrizo Plain National Monument visitors. About 3,000 - 4,000 years ago, Native Americans began to paint their sacred images with the alcove of the rock.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Goodwin Education Center
The center offers the visitor interpretive displays and exhibits explaining the uniqueness of the Carrizo Plain and adjoining Elkhorn Plain.
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Thousand Oaks. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Thousand Oaks
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- Parks in Thousand Oaks
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Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Thousand Oaks?
Sepulveda Dam (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 23 miles east of Thousand Oaks as the crow flies. Next are Hansen Dam (28 mi) and Anacapa Island (31 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.