Whittier Narrows Recreation Area is a 1,492-acre Los Angeles County park in South El Monte, with trails, sports facilities, fishing lakes and boating areas. Its scale and range of outdoor activities make it a regional option when you’re staying in the area. The South El Monte area guide covers the wider neighborhood around the park.
- Location: South El Monte, on both sides of the Pomona Freeway at Rosemead Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue.
- Typical park schedule: Wednesday through Sunday, with hours that vary by season.
- Activities: Hiking, fishing, cycling, horseback riding, disc golf and more.
- Separate nature facility: Whittier Narrows Natural Area and Nature Center has its own hours and trails.
What to expect at Whittier Narrows
Whittier Narrows is a large county recreation area with facilities and landscapes spread across both sides of the Pomona Freeway. Los Angeles County gives its address as 750 S. Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733, and its general phone number as (626) 575-5526.
Park amenities range from picnic tables and shelters to baseball and softball fields, soccer and tennis courts, volleyball courts, restrooms, a BMX track, disc golf courses, and hiking and equestrian trails. Other facilities include community centers, community gardens, concession stands, a shooting range and model-control airplane areas.
For a smaller park visit in South El Monte, Vincent Lugo Park offers a different scale of local outing.
Activities and recreation areas
Whittier Narrows supports a mix of land- and water-based recreation, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and cycling, fishing, disc golf, BMX racing, tennis and bird walks.
Fishing lakes, boating areas, paddle boats and boat rentals are among the park’s amenities. Wheel Fun Rentals, at 823 Lexington Gallatin Rd., South El Monte, CA 91733, offers bikes, specialty cycles and watercraft, including pedal boats.
Rental hours vary; on days the rental operation is open, the last bike rental goes out one hour before sunset and the last boat rental goes out two hours before sunset.
For a quieter nature-focused visit, the separate Whittier Narrows Natural Area and Nature Center is a 400-acre riparian woodland sanctuary bordering the San Gabriel River. It has four lakes and plants and animals native to wetland communities.
Activities there include hikes and walks, Junior Ranger Programs, nature day camps and school group tours by reservation. Wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trails are available. The lakes are available by special permit for birding and photography.
The county’s Arceo Park guide covers another South El Monte park for a different kind of outdoor stop.
How do you get to Whittier Narrows, and what should you know before going?
The recreation area sits on both sides of the Pomona Freeway at Rosemead Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue. You can use the address, 750 S.
Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte, CA 91733, as a reference when planning your arrival. Multiple on-site parking lots can accommodate more than 1,000 vehicles; an entrance fee applies, or a rental fee applies for exclusive use.
Whittier Narrows, as a county park without a recreational lake, is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. From March 1 through October 31, park hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; restrooms are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and staff and programming hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
From November 1 through February 28, park hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; restrooms are open 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and staff and programming hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Natural Area and Nature Center has a separate schedule: it is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Monday. Its hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from March 1 through October 31, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from November 1 through February 28.
For current hours, rental details and entrance fees, check the Los Angeles County Regional Parks official site before you go.
Planning a visit from South El Monte
Give yourself time to choose which side of the freeway and which activities fit your plans: the park’s sports facilities, trails and water recreation span a substantial area.
If you’re interested in bike or boat rentals, check their operating hours before setting out, since the final rentals go out before sunset. Whittier Narrows is about 2.6 miles from Sierra Inn, a motel in South El Monte.
FAQs
Is Whittier Narrows Recreation Area open every day?
No. The main recreation area is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The separate Natural Area and Nature Center is closed Mondays.
Can you fish at Whittier Narrows?
Yes. Fishing is among the activities offered at the recreation area, which has fishing lakes.
Are there accessible trails at Whittier Narrows?
Wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trails are available at the separate Natural Area and Nature Center.