Chatsworth Nature Preserve is a City of Los Angeles open-space preserve on the former Chatsworth Reservoir site in Chatsworth. Its varied habitats make it a notable natural area, but public access is restricted and requires planning.
- Size: 1,325 acres.
- Ownership: Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
- Public access: Limited to approved scientific field studies, invited special events and an annual open house.
What to know about the preserve
Chatsworth Nature Preserve occupies the former Chatsworth Reservoir site and combines open space with a range of habitats. A City Planning report gives its area as 1,325 acres and describes oak woodlands, savanna, riparian areas, grassland, vernal pools and an Ecology Pond.
The reservoir has a place in the history of Los Angeles water infrastructure. A City Planning document says it was completed in 1918 and was the 19th and last reservoir in a chain contributing to the Los Angeles Aqueduct system.
The document also identifies the Chatsworth Reservoir Kiln Site as a historic-cultural resource: the limestone kiln is associated with Spanish missionaries’ construction of the San Fernando Mission in the 18th century.
Access, public visits and restrictions
Chatsworth Nature Preserve is not generally open for public visits; access is limited to approved scientific field studies, invited special events and an annual LADWP Earth Day open house, according to the Chatsworth Nature Preserve Coalition.
That means you should not plan on entering for an independent walk or wildlife visit. Open-house access follows a yearly pattern, but dates and arrangements can vary.
Check the official site before you go, and confirm that a public visit is available before setting out. The Valley Relics Museum is another area option, separate from the preserve and its access rules.
When public programming is offered, it can provide a way to learn about the preserve without treating it as an open-access park. Access remains subject to the event or study approval, so follow the conditions given for the specific visit.
If you are planning another outing in the area, Cleveland Park and Old Trapper’s in Winnetka offers a different local stop.
Wildlife and habitat
The preserve’s mix of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats supports a wide range of wildlife. A City Planning report says the habitats support more than 200 bird species, along with mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
The variety of environments is part of what makes the area ecologically significant. Vernal pools and the Ecology Pond sit alongside riparian areas, oak woodland, savanna and grassland; the preserve’s restricted access also means that a visit depends on an approved opportunity rather than an ordinary public trail outing.
How do you get to Chatsworth Nature Preserve from Winnetka?
The drive from the Starlight Inn Canoga Park to the preserve takes about 16 minutes. Use the preserve’s official visitor or event information for the applicable entrance and directions, since access arrangements depend on the type of approved visit.
FAQs
Can you visit Chatsworth Nature Preserve without an invitation?
No. Public access is limited to approved scientific field studies, invited special events and an annual LADWP Earth Day open house.
What habitats are found at Chatsworth Nature Preserve?
The preserve includes oak woodlands, savanna, riparian areas, grassland, vernal pools and an Ecology Pond.
Is Chatsworth Nature Preserve part of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system?
The preserve occupies the former reservoir site. The Chatsworth Reservoir was completed in 1918 and was the last reservoir in a chain contributing to the Los Angeles Aqueduct system.