Sierra Lakes

Favorite Lakes in the Sierras

When you’re camping it’s always nice to be near a lake. Not only does the water add to the beauty of the experience, but it also gives you recreational options. At most lakes in the region you can camp, hike, swim, ski, fish, boat, and more. Many of the lake campgrounds offer full RV hookups as well as dry camps, and even lodging for those of you who like a less primitive experience. A few favorites in the Sierras include Gold Lake, Bowman Lake, and Donner Lake.

Gold Lake is one of the most scenic lakes regions in California and is part of the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. It offers fishing, camping, and hiking. Snowmobiling is the main access in the winter months along with cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

Bowman Lake offers great camping, hiking, and fishing as well. Near here you can hike along Grouse Ridge Trail, one of the best hikes in the Sierra Nevada foothills. There’s also a great waterfall called Bowman Lake Falls which is about 80 feet high and cascades beautifully down large granite rock. Getting to Bowman is quite a long drive, so camping there is usually the way to go. Make your trip at least a couple days so you can experience all that Bowman Lake has to offer.

Donner Lake is one of the most magnificent lakes in the Sierra Nevada foothills and offers lots in the way of recreation. In July, there is a wonderful Independence Day fireworks display above the water. At Donner Memorial State Park there is camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, water-skiing, and hiking. In the winter there is cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Be sure to check out the Emigrant Trail Museum and the Pioneer Monument. The memorial sites were built to commemorate the determined members of the Donner Party and others who emigrated to California from the east in the mid-19^th Century.

All three lakes are prime destinations for family recreation in both the summer and winter. Find out more about these high sierra lakes at http://www.parks.ca.gov .

©Ted McCaleb