LOS ANGELES (May 16, 2022) – The Los Angeles River Recreation Zones will open this year on Memorial Day, May 30, 2022. The public is welcome to kayak, walk, and fish on two sections of the river managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in Elysian Valley and at the Sepulveda Basin in Encino.. Users of the Recreation Zones must follow all Los Angeles County Public Health directives and orders regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The L.A. River Recreation Zones provide access to recreate on and explore the Los Angeles River in two different parts of the river that are still in a natural state with activities including steerable boating such as kayaking and canoeing, fishing and bird watching. The River Recreation Zones are managed by the MRCA in coordination with the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the County of Los Angeles.
Hours are sunrise to sunset every day, except during and after inclement weather or other adverse conditions. The Recreation Zones will be open through September 30, 2022.
“We are looking forward to another great season,” said MRCA Chief Ranger, Fernando Gomez. “We urge everyone to check out the website www.lariverrecreation.org to find out about river conditions, water quality, weather, and closure information. You can also learn about how to access the river, and outfitters who provide guided tours or rent kayaks.”
The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Zone is a gentle, two-mile up-river and back trip with braided channels, wildlife, and tranquil pools. Of the two Recreation Zones, the Sepulveda Basin offers easy paddling, and less natural obstacles. Kayakers in the Sepulveda Basin will be able to access the Los Angeles River from Burbank Boulevard west of Woodley Avenue. There is plenty of street parking on Woodley Avenue.
The Elysian Valley kayak experience is a five-mile, one-way trip with braided channels and abundant wildlife in the middle of the city. The kayak experience sometimes includes strong currents and a few rapids – you may fall out of your kayak while traveling through them. Boulders and other obstacles are also part of the experience. Be aware that you will likely be getting off your kayak and pulling it through the water to get around rocks in areas. New this year will be the opportunity to kayak under the recently opened, 400-foot Taylor Yard Bridge that connects cyclists and pedestrians from Cypress Park to Elysian Valley across the LA River.
To access the Elysian Valley Recreation Zone, Kayakers can enter the Los Angeles River from MRCA Rattlesnake Park at Fletcher Drive. Parking is available on Fletcher Drive. Access is also available upstream from MRCA Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park (formerly Marsh Park) whose parking lot entrances are at 2999 Rosanna St. and 2944 Gleneden Street. Public Restrooms are available.
“Everyone needs to remember to take safety precautions when going out on the river,” said Chief Gomez. “You must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and wear a helmet. Use sunscreen and drink plenty of water.”
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is a local public park agency dedicated to the preservation and management of open space, urban parkland, watershed lands, trails, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 75,000 acres of public parkland and provides natural resources and scientific expertise, critical regional planning services, operations, fire prevention and ranger services, as well as education and leadership programs for thousands of youth each year. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.
