El Capitan Reservoir Boating in a Nutshell
- Pleasure Cruising, Fishing Boats, Personal Watercraft
- Kayaking, Canoeing, Sailing
- Specified days for Waterskiing, Wakeboarding
Boating Information
Because El Capitan Reservoir is a drinking water supply, body contact with the water is limited. Water skiing and similar sports are only permitted on specified days during the summer. Swimming and stand-up paddleboards are not allowed.
Summer Days and Hours
Days Open:
Friday through Tuesday, - ½: hour before sunrise to sunset (closed on Wednesday and Thursday)
Friday - Sunday open for general boating and water skiing, jet skiing, etc. - ½: hour before sunrise to sunset.
(During winter (Nov. - April) water skiing is only permitted on Saturdays, personal watercraft only on Sundays.)
Monday and Tuesday open for fishing and general boating, no water contact activities, e.g. water skiing, jet skiing - ½: hour before sunrise to sunset
Concession and Rentals open Friday - Sunday, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year Day.
For up-to-date and complete details see City of San Diego: El Capitan Rules and Regulations.
Lake Hours: Change regularly with season, generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Check What's New at the City Reservoir Lakes for current opening and closing times.
Fees (cash only)
Entrance: $8 per persons age 16 and older, $2.50 for 8 to 15 years.
Children 7 and under are free.
Boat Launch Fee: $7 (kayaks free)
Water Contact Fees: $10 for ages 16 and older, $5 for youths ages 8-15. (This fee is for those using personal watercraft, waterskiing, tubing, or similar activities.)
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El Capitan Marina and Boat Rentals
Located at the end of El Monte Road
(619) 443-4110, Rocky Mountain Recreation
Marina:
- 2 Launch Ramps (kayaks, canoes free)
- Facilities: 2 docks, snacks and drinks for sale, bait and tackle, fishing permits
| Boat | Seats |
|---|---|
| First come, first served. Credit cards accepted for boat rentals. | |
| Fishing Boat with motor | 4 |
| Rowboat | 4 |
Avoid the Spread of Quagga Mussels
Boaters at El Capitan Reservoir are asked to help avoid the spread of quagga mussels and the potential closure of the reservoir by doing the following:
- Drain all water from your vessel before leaving the reservoir parking lot.
- Drain any water through the vessel's hull plug.
- Drain and dry live-wells.
- Drain ballast tanks.
- Empty and dry any buckets.
Any vessel traveling from one freshwater body to another should be thoroughly dry, inside and out. It is best for boats to remain dry and out of the water for at least five days before going to another water body.