Kamaraj Sagar / Sandynalla Reservoir & Pine Forest - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 9 km from Ooty Bus Station, Kamraj Sagar Dam, also known as the Sandynalla Reservoir, is a very quiet and scenic dam situated on the slopes of the Wenlock Downs in Ooty. It is one of the top Ooty tourist places and also a must include in every Ooty Tour Packages.

The dam, built on the Kamrajar Lake, is spread over 400 acres and is situated on the way to Wenlock Downs & Pykara. The dam is a monsoon fed water body and measures about 6 km in length. The dam and the serene location make it a heavenly place and a favorite haunt for the nature lovers. It is also a popular destination with honeymoon couples because of its picturesque natural beauty. It is a popular shooting location in Ooty.

There are several walking trails around the lake and visitors can also explore several tourist places in the area through these walking trails. The surroundings of the lake are home to variety of birds which include peacocks, storks, kingfishers, cranes, herons and sunbirds can easily be spotted in the area. The animals that are seen in this area include wild boars, Indian bison, barking deer, monkeys, mongooses and leopards.

There is a pine forest adjacent to the main road through which the reservoir is accessed. Pine trees spread across several acres is a nice place to take snaps & famous shooting spot as well. You need to walk down through the slopes (around 200 meters) of pine trees to reach the banks of the reservoir. The path is very steep and slippery in monsoons. There are horses on hire for those who find it difficult to trek the slopes.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM