Goose Lake Campground #1

🏊Swimming at Goose Lake Campground #1

Swimming happens directly off the lakeshore adjacent to the campsites rather than at a designated swim beach. Visitor reports describe it as suitable for casual swimming, floating, and kayaking, but several reviewers specifically warn about leeches in the water, and fishing is described as limited. This suits campers looking for a quick, informal lake dip rather than a destination swimming beach.

📍How to get to this swimming hole

From Graeagle, CA, take Highway 89 southeast for about 2 miles, then head south on Gold Lake Highway for approximately 12 miles to reach Goose Lake Campground.

Parking: Parking is available at individual campsites, but the access road is rough, rocky, and unpaved with tight turns around trees; high-clearance vehicles are recommended, and Class C RVs over about 16 ft and trailers are not advised. At least one visitor reported parking on the road and hiking in due to the rocky terrain.

🥾The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed to swim: Goose Lake borders the campsites on multiple sides, so swimming is a direct walk from your tent/car, effectively 0 minutes. The surrounding Gold Lakes Basin does have an extensive network of trails linking 20+ other lakes for those who want to hike further, but reaching Goose Lake's own water requires no trail.

💬What regulars say

Visitor reports (The Dyrt, MyCampingSpot) consistently flag leeches in Goose Lake while swimming as the top thing to know before wading in, though the same reviewers still call it one of the best small mountain lakes for a casual swim/float/kayak session right off camp. Several describe the campground itself as a low-traffic 'hidden gem,' but nearly everyone comments on the rough, rocky, unpaved access road with tight turns around trees, warning that Class C RVs over ~16 ft and trailers should avoid it; one visitor even parked on the road and walked in rather than drive down.