Lake Hollywood Park
Lake Hollywood Park offers iconic, unobstructed views of the Hollywood Sign with vast green spaces and a dog-friendly atmosphere.
The Hollywood Reservoir, built in 1924 by William Mulholland to supply emergency drinking water for Los Angeles, sits in the Hollywood Hills just below the Hollywood Sign. Lake Hollywood Park's tree-lined loop around the water offers unusual views of the sign alongside 1920s architecture, providing a sense of isolation in the city.
Hollywood Reservoir Trail Closure and Reopening
The Hollywood Reservoir, built in 1924 by William Mulholland and held back by the Mulholland Dam, still serves the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as part of the city's water supply. The full perimeter trail around the reservoir was closed in 2005 due to landslides from unusually wet weather, with the eastern section reopening in 2009 and the western side finally accessible again in April 2013 after bureaucratic delays. The route runs along the shoreline beneath Mulholland Drive, which was named for the same engineer who designed the dam.
Best Photo Spots
Lake Hollywood Park features 4 photo spots: a Hollywood Sign vista, walking trail, dam, and reservoir viewpoint.
Hollywood Sign Vista
Photographs of This Location
Hollywood Reservoir and Mulholland Dam History
The Hollywood Reservoir, constructed in 1924 to supply emergency drinking water to Los Angeles, sits behind the Mulholland Dam, whose concrete piers are decorated with art deco dog's head motifs. Following the catastrophic St. Francis Dam collapse in March 1928, the reservoir's water level was ordered reduced and is now typically maintained at approximately 2,800 acre-feet. Photographers visiting the site can frame the dam's distinctive architectural details against the surrounding water and hillsides.
Common Questions
Yes, Lake Hollywood Park has a wheelchair accessible trail.
The main lawn area of Lake Hollywood Park offers one of the most direct and unobstructed views of the Hollywood Sign.
No passes or permits are required to hike the Hollywood Reservoir loop.
Practical Information
Canyon Lake Dr, Los Angeles; 101 northbound, exit Barham; Bus + walk or ride-share
Lake Hollywood Drive; Street Parking and Parking Lot; Visitors can park at Lake Hollywood Park and immediately start shooting the Hollywood Sign.
Sunrise–sunset; 05:00 - Sunset daily; 5:00AM – 10:00PM
Free; Lake Hollywood Park is a public recreational area maintained as part of the city of Los Angeles water system.; Visiting Lake Hollywood Park is free, with no entry fee mentioned.
No passes required; Drone use restricted; No photography permit information is mentioned on the page; the park is free to visit during open hours.
Session Tips
- Dogs must be leashed at Lake Hollywood Park, otherwise park rangers may enforce the rule.
- Arrive before 9 AM, especially on weekends, to beat the crowds and secure a prime parking spot.
- Note the posted closure times at the entrance gate since they lock near sundown all year.
- Because the reservoirs are in active city use, you cannot access the water and will shoot through a chain-link fence for most of the loop.
- A telephoto lens is helpful for zooming in on details of the Hollywood Sign.
What to Wear
- Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to explore beyond the main park area.
When to Shoot
Best Time to Photograph
1:24 PM - 1:49 PM
1:49 PM - 2:49 PM
12:34 AM - 1:34 AM
1:34 AM - 1:59 AM
Best Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:58 | 17:07 | 10h 8m |
| Feb | 06:37 | 17:37 | 10h 59m |
| Mar | 07:03 | 19:01 | 11h 57m |
| Apr | 06:22 | 19:25 | 13h 2m |
| May | 05:51 | 19:48 | 13h 56m |
| Jun | 05:41 | 20:06 | 14h 25m |
| Jul | 05:53 | 20:05 | 14h 12m |
| Aug | 06:14 | 19:40 | 13h 25m |
| Sep | 06:36 | 18:59 | 12h 22m |
| Oct | 06:58 | 18:18 | 11h 20m |
| Nov | 06:26 | 16:49 | 10h 23m |
| Dec | 06:51 | 16:45 | 9h 53m |
What to Expect During Your Session
Late afternoon golden hour gives the strongest light for photographing the Hollywood Sign from Lake Hollywood Park, which stays relatively quiet compared to the turnout up the road. Key compositional stops include the half-mile mark overlooking the Hollywood Reservoir and the 1924 Mulholland Dam just before the one-mile mark, though the water is fenced off for most of the loop. Weekend visitors arriving before 9 AM have the best chance of finding parking before the entrance gate locks near sundown.
At the 2.6-mile mark the path exits back onto Lake Hollywood Drive at Tahoe Place, and the remaining route continues along a dirt sidewalk next to the road.
Just before the one-mile mark, the trail reaches the 1924 Mulholland Dam, the route's photographic highlight.
At about the half-mile mark you reach clear views of the Hollywood Reservoir and the Hollywood Sign to the east.
“The loop finishes back on Lake Hollywood Drive at Tahoe Place with a final stretch along a dirt sidewalk beside the road.”
Getting There
Access & Transit
- Wheelchair access
- Lake Hollywood Park has a wheelchair accessible trail.
- Parking
- Parking is available on Canyon Lake Drive and nearby streets but can be challenging, especially on weekends.
- Public transit
- Hollywood Freeway
- Walking distance
- 0.5 mile
- Bike friendly
- Biking is an option to reach Lake Hollywood Park, though some streets leading to it can be narrow and winding.