LAKES BASIN
Sierra City, California · on Gold Lake · Plumas National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About LAKES BASIN
Gold Lake sits at about 6,445 feet in the Lakes Basin area of Plumas National Forest near Sierra City/Graeagle, California, one of more than 20 glacially carved alpine lakes in a basin full of high-country places to swim. The lake is an alpine swimming hole managed by the U.S. Forest Service and reached via Gold Lake Highway off SR 89, with campgrounds, a boat launch, and day-use area directly on its shore.
The lake occupies a glacially formed basin surrounded by fir and aspen forest near Mt. Elwell, with more than 30 miles of maintained trails (including a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail) threading between Gold Lake and neighboring lakes in the basin. The adjacent Lakes Basin Campground sits on the site of the historic Lakes Center Lodge (built 1912), and old stonework from the lodge, including steps leading into a pool on Gray Eagle Creek, remains at the site.
Swimming at LAKES BASIN
Recreation.gov, the official federal booking/information site for this Forest Service facility, lists swimming as an available activity both at Lakes Basin Campground (via Gray Eagle Creek on site) and at the Gold Lake Campground on the lake's east shore. Gold Lake itself is described as a cool, clear glacial lake also used for boating, paddling, sailing, and trout fishing (brown trout, rainbow trout, and Mackinaw). Sources did not provide first-hand detail on entry point, water depth, or bottom type.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Graeagle, CA: at the junction of State Route 89 and Forest Route 24, follow Route 24 for 6.9 miles, then a single-lane road for 0.3 miles to the Lakes Basin Campground entrance. Gold Lake's own campground and boat launch sit on the lake's east shore, also accessed via Gold Lake Highway off SR 89. An alternate route from Reno: US-395 north to Highway 70 west (32 miles) to Blairsden, then Highway 89 south 3.5 miles to Gold Lake Highway.
The hike in
Round Lake Trail (aka 'Bear Lakes Loop')
Difficulty: Moderate, described by Gold Lake Lodge as getting 'strenuous at some parts', bring water and sunscreen.
Trailhead: Starts directly from the Gold Lake Lodge/camp area on the west side of Gold Lake off Gold Lake Highway, not a separate drive-to trailhead.
This is an optional bonus loop for reaching OTHER swimming lakes in the basin, not required to swim at Gold Lake itself. Gold Lake Lodge describes it as 'about 4 miles long, with 5 beautiful lakes for swimming', Big Bear Lake, Little Bear Lake, Cub Lake, Silver Lake, and Round Lake, plus views of Long Lake.
Gold Lake itself requires no hike: Gold Lake Lodge states the lake is 'less than a five minute drive down the road,' and both Recreation.gov-listed campgrounds (Lakes Basin Campground and Gold Lake Campground) have swimming directly on site with drive-in access and a boat launch on the shore.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Water is cold (glacial-fed lake, ~6,445 ft) with no lifeguards on duty and no shallow sandy-beach entry documented; the adjacent Gray Eagle Creek swim pool at Lakes Basin Campground is entered via old stone steps into a 'deep pool,' not a gradual wade-in. Gold Lake itself sees active boat traffic and gusty afternoon winds that can kick up chop. Drive-up access (no hike) makes it easy logistically for families, but adult supervision and care around entry points is warranted.
Parking
Paid
Campsites generally accommodate 2 vehicles (first vehicle included in site fee, additional vehicle charged daily); a fee-area lot exists at the Gold Lake Boat Launch/day-use area. Gold Lake 4x4 Campground has limited/no dedicated parking and visitors are directed to use the Gold Lake Boat Launch fee parking instead. Exact dollar amounts for parking/day-use were not published on the pages checked.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets at Lakes Basin Campground (shared with drinking water/trash service) and vault toilets/porta-potties at Gold Lake Campground on the lake's east shore. No restrooms exist at the Gold Lake 4x4 Campground nearby, old facilities were removed and campers there must pack out solid waste (e.g., waste-alleviating gel bags).
Water clarity
Clear
Recreation.gov's official Gold Lake Campground listing describes Gold Lake as a 'cool, clear' glacially carved lake. No first-hand visitor water-clarity reports could be retrieved, so this rating rests on the official description only, not eyewitness accounts.
On the water
Gold Lake has a two-lane boat launch ramp, loading dock, and day-use area, plus a hand-launch gravel ramp for small craft at the Gold Lake Dam Day Use Area; boating, paddling, and sailing are listed alongside swimming as on-lake activities. No explicit motor horsepower/no-wake/electric-only restriction was found in the sources checked, but strong, gusty afternoon winds are repeatedly flagged as a hazard for small watercraft. Additional boat-launch fees apply separately from campsite fees.
Rentals nearby
Rowboat rentals (2- and 3-person, includes oars and life jackets) available to anyone, self-serve via a phone posted on a tree to call the lodge and arrange pickup, cash payment. Kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are provided complimentary but ONLY to overnight lodge guests, not rented to day visitors.
Prices: $40/day for rowboats
On Salmon Lake, immediately adjacent to the Gold Lake/Lakes Basin cluster (Salmon Lake's boat ramp is about 0.6 mi from Lakes Basin Campground on Gold Lake per Recreation.gov facility listings). Contact: (530) 852-0874 / salmonlakereservations@gmail.com · 8 am, 5 pm (rowboat rentals), operating under a Tahoe National Forest special-use permit
Boat rentals, available with or without an electric trolling motor; reserve by calling ahead.
990 Sardine Lake Rd, Sierra City, CA 96125, on Sardine Lake, a few miles from Gold Lake within the same Lakes Basin recreation cluster. Phone: (530) 862-1196 · Daily, 8 am, 4 pm, Memorial Day weekend through mid-October
Backstory
Lakes Basin Campground occupies the site of the Lakes Center Lodge, built in 1912; ruins including stone steps leading into a pool on Gray Eagle Creek remain at the site.
LAKES BASIN: FAQ
Does LAKES BASIN charge a fee?
Campground/day-use fees apply (exact amounts not listed on the pages fetched); boat launch fees apply separately at the Gold Lake facility; America the Beautiful, Senior, and Access passes are accepted for individual campsites only.
Is LAKES BASIN kid friendly?
Water is cold (glacial-fed lake, ~6,445 ft) with no lifeguards on duty and no shallow sandy-beach entry documented; the adjacent Gray Eagle Creek swim pool at Lakes Basin Campground is entered via old stone steps into a 'deep pool,' not a gradual wade-in. Gold Lake itself sees active boat traffic and gusty afternoon winds that can kick up chop. Drive-up access (no hike) makes it easy logistically for families, but adult supervision and care around entry points is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach LAKES BASIN?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for LAKES BASIN?
Campsites generally accommodate 2 vehicles (first vehicle included in site fee, additional vehicle charged daily); a fee-area lot exists at the Gold Lake Boat Launch/day-use area. Gold Lake 4x4 Campground has limited/no dedicated parking and visitors are directed to use the Gold Lake Boat Launch fee parking instead. Exact dollar amounts for parking/day-use were not published on the pages checked.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to LAKES BASIN?
Gold Lake has a two-lane boat launch ramp, loading dock, and day-use area, plus a hand-launch gravel ramp for small craft at the Gold Lake Dam Day Use Area; boating, paddling, and sailing are listed alongside swimming as on-lake activities. No explicit motor horsepower/no-wake/electric-only restriction was found in the sources checked, but strong, gusty afternoon winds are repeatedly flagged as a hazard for small watercraft. Additional boat-launch fees apply separately from campsite fees.
What are the rules at LAKES BASIN?
Leashed pets only; no off-road vehicles at Lakes Basin Campground; food must be stored in bear-resistant containers at all three nearby campgrounds due to bears and raccoons.
What water body is LAKES BASIN on?
LAKES BASIN is on Gold Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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