Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park is a Los Angeles County recreation area in San Dimas, California, centered on Puddingstone Lake. From Pomona, you can plan a day around the reservoir, the Bonelli Trail, boating, fishing, or a picnic, with seasonal hours and permits to check before setting out.
- Address: 120 East Via Verde Park Drive, San Dimas, CA 91773.
- From the hotel: About 9 minutes by car from Travelodge by Wyndham Fairplex Pomona.
- Trail: The Bonelli Trail runs 9.5 miles around Puddingstone Reservoir.
- Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Daily vehicle permit: $15; boat permits cost extra.
What to know about Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park is a lake-centered outdoor recreation area operated and maintained by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. Puddingstone Lake is the focal point, with recreation on the water and open-space activities around it.
The park’s address is 120 East Via Verde Park Drive, San Dimas, CA 91773. For a broader plan in town, you can pair a park outing with a one-day Pomona itinerary for nearby art and outdoor stops.
How do you get to Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park from Pomona?
From the two-star motel in Pomona, the park is about a 9-minute drive; its address can guide you to the entrance area.
The California State Parks listing reports 180 parking spaces for cars with trailers at the Puddingstone Lake facility. It also identifies carry-down walkways among the facility’s services, useful context if you’re bringing a boat. Confirm current access and facility details with the park before your trip.
Trails, lake activities, and other recreation
The park combines a reservoir loop with hiking, biking, horseback riding, wildlife watching, and water recreation. The Bonelli Trail is a 9.5-mile route around Puddingstone Reservoir, and the county lists horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, dog walking, bird watching, and wildlife watching among its activities.
Wilderness trails allow mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders, but not motorized vehicles. Trail users yield in this order: bikers, hikers, then horseback riders. If you bring a dog, keep it on a leash no longer than six feet; dogs are not allowed in the water or on sand beaches.
At the lake, facility services include boat rentals, campsites, a fish-cleaning station, restrooms, showers, a snack bar, and a swimming area. Services can change, so verify what is operating before you go.
Boating
Every vessel must pass quagga-mussel and safety inspections and receive a launch permit before launching. Boats must be at least 8 feet long and no longer than 26 feet. Motorized vessel operators of every age must have a California Boater Card.
From April through September, the odd-even system assigns even calendar days to power boats and odd calendar days to personal watercraft. Check the park’s current boating rules before choosing a date or bringing a vessel.
Fishing
You can fish around the lake except from sand beaches and boat docks, and within 100 feet of a launch ramp. Anglers aged 16 and older need a valid California fishing license.
Daily catch limits are 5 trout, 10 catfish, 5 bass, and 25 sunfish of all species. Sunfish must be at least 12 inches long to keep. Check current regulations before fishing, as limits can change.
Entrance fees, passes, and park hours
According to the park’s website, daily vehicle entrance permits cost $15, with separate daily permits of $12 for motorized boats and $9 for non-motorized boats. The daily senior or disabled vehicle permit costs $8 for people aged 65 or older, or people with a DMV-issued ADA placard or plates.
Annual vehicle permits cost $160, and senior or disabled annual vehicle permits cost $90. Both are valid daily except holidays and special events.
The county describes the $160 transferable annual permit as valid at Bonelli Park, Castaic Lake, Kenneth Hahn, Santa Fe Dam, Schabarum Park, and Whittier Narrows. Annual permits are sold on a walk-in basis at the main office; call the park for hours and details.
Schedules and fees may change; check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 6 AM–8 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
A practical visit checklist
A little planning helps you match your visit to the park’s rules and activities. Before leaving, confirm the current hours, fees, and availability of facilities you plan to use.
- For boating, budget for the applicable boat permit and allow time for required vessel inspections and the launch permit.
- For a group picnic involving special equipment or third-party vendors, make a reservation at least 15 and up to 180 days ahead. Reservations are allowed Wednesday through Saturday, excluding holidays and holiday weekends.
- Leave kites, drones, and other model aircraft at home; they are prohibited because of the park’s proximity to Brackett Airport.
- Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited on County property.
FAQs
Where is Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park?
The park is at 120 East Via Verde Park Drive, San Dimas, CA 91773, near Pomona.
How much is parking at Bonelli Park?
The daily vehicle entrance permit costs $15. Reduced daily permits are available for qualifying seniors and people with a DMV-issued ADA placard or plates.
Can you hike and bike the Bonelli Trail?
Yes. The Bonelli Trail is a 9.5-mile route around Puddingstone Reservoir, and the wilderness trails are open to hikers and mountain bikers as well as horseback riders.
Are dogs allowed at the park?
Dogs must be leashed no longer than six feet and are not allowed in the water or on sand beaches.