These lesser known spots include tucked-away swimming and fishing holes, a historic old mining town, and a lake that’ll take your breath away.
What makes a hidden gem so special is that it’s not off the map entirely, but it’s tucked into a corner just out of range from more heavily trafficked spots. Tahoe National Forest is filled with these secluded hideaways, places you can go to get away, unplug, and appreciate wild, open spaces.
These spots, ranging from a quiet fishing hole to a charming Gold Rush-era town, are just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. While you’re there, remember to engage in responsible practices of Leave of Trace, being mindful of the natural environment, and making sure generations to come can still enjoy these unique locales.
Secret Fishing Hole
First, set up camp at the Upper or Lower Little Truckee Campgrounds. You’re just steps from the banks of the Little Truckee River at these two quiet campgrounds along Highway 89, just 12 miles north of the town of Truckee. For anglers, the “LT,” as it’s known, is a dream spot for catching wild rainbow and brown trout. A tributary of the Truckee River, the Little Truckee is open to anglers from late April to mid November. (Don’t forget your California fishing license.). Even if you don’t fish, this is a great spot to camp: When all of Tahoe’s campgrounds are filled up, this is a place you can likely still score a site.
Best Spot for a Photo
You can’t swim in lower Sardine Lake, but the view alone makes this a worthy visit. Sit at the edge of the lake, which is at the base of the jagged peaks of the Sierra Buttes, and enjoy the serenity—there’s no cell service and nowhere else to be. Snap a few photos, then grab a drink or dinner at the Sardine Lake Resort, which has a dockside cocktail bar. If you want to stay overnight, you can pitch a tent at Sardine Lake Campground. The best places to swim nearby? Take the short hike on the OHV road to Upper Sardine Lake or go for a dip in the nearby Sand Pond, neighboring the campground.
Easiest Lake to Hike To
To reach Long Lake, on Donner Pass, first you’ll need to drive down the rugged dirt Kid Lakes Road, past the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Resort, a Nordic ski center in the wintertime. In the summer, this area tucked away behind the neighborhoods of Serene Lakes and Soda Springs makes for a peaceful getaway that’s relatively easy to access.
From the trailhead at the end of Kid Lakes Road, park by Cascade Lake and follow the Palisades Creek Trail. It’s less than a mile on a flat, meandering dirt path to reach the shores of Long Lake, making this a family friendly destination. You’ll be rewarded with rope swings, picnic spots on granite rocks, and swimming holes. This is a perfect spot to spend a summer day.
Best Lakeside Backpacking Spots
Picture a collection of alpine lakes dotted with granite islands and surrounded by flat campsites tucked into pine forests. That’s what you’ll find at Loch Leven Lakes, which is accessed via a 3.5-mile hike—including 1,600 feet of vertical gain—from the trailhead at the Big Bend exit off Interstate 80 near Donner Pass.
Loch Leven Lakes makes for a great day hike or overnight camping spot as long as you’re willing to put in the effort to get there. If you time it right mid-summer, the meadows on your way in are filled with blooming wildflowers.
Coolest Town to Wander Around
During the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, Downieville, on Highway 49, was the fifth biggest town in the state and was vying to become the state capital when it barely got out voted by Sacramento. Since then, Downieville has maintained its Gold Rush character as a tiny, out-of-the-way town steeped in California history.
The North Fork of the Yuba River flows through town, making for a great swimming spot on a hot day. Mountain bikers flock to this area to ride the legendary Downieville Downhill trail, which descends 15 miles and 5,000 vertical feet from near the top of the Sierra Buttes right into downtown. You’ll find high-quality riverfront camping just outside of town at the Yuba Flat or Loganville campgrounds.
Most Stunning Hidden Waterfalls
It’s a short amble off Highway 20 en route to Nevada City to reach the striking green swimming holes of Emerald Pools, a magically secluded section of the South Yuba River. This spot is well known by cliff jumpers and swimming hole enthusiasts for its emerald waters and gushing waterfalls, but if you don’t know where it is, you’ll have to explore a bit to find it, making it all the more exciting when you do. Park on Bowman Lake Road near the bridge over the South Yuba and look for the trail to the pools downriver. There’s camping nearby at Bowman Lake, Carr Lake, and Rucker Lake.
About the Author
Megan Michelson is a freelance journalist based in Tahoe City, California, who writes about travel and the outdoors for a range of publications. In her backyard forest, she loves going on long trail runs, foraging for mushrooms and wildflowers, and forcing her kids to go on hikes.
Our Forests Need Us Today.
Your donation powers critical, on-the-ground conservation—from wildfire recovery to watershed restoration—protecting forests for the future.
