This Gorgeous Lake Is Sandwiched Between California's Tahoe And Plumas National Forests

Whenever the temperatures rise, it gets harder to escape the crowds to find relief in the summer, but the Lakes Basin Recreation Area in northeastern California is dotted with secluded, peaceful lakes. Gold Lake just might be the prettiest of them all, so it's time to start planning your next summer roadtrip.

Gold Lake is very remote. Reno, one of the best U.S. vacation spots if you're on a budget, is an hour and a half to the east across the Nevada border, and frequent flights from all over the country arrive at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO). From the airport, it is an easy drive into Graeagle, California. The charming old mill town is a good home base for exploring the area if you did not book a campsite. It has lodges, restaurants, and stores to stock up on groceries and outdoor gear.

From Graeagle, follow the Gold Lake Highway south into the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. Though not open in the winter and only 15 miles long, the winding road is considered one of the most-scenic drives in the Golden State. It passes lakes that were carved by glaciers, rushing waterfalls, and trailheads to start hiking. The whole area is part of the Plumas National Forest, which covers more than one million acres at the northern end of the Sierra Nevada. You will find Gold Lake just before you reach the adjacent Tahoe National Forest, which extends all the way to Truckee, a picture-perfect mountainside couple's vacation.

The Lakes Basin Recreation Area has more than 20 lakes. Gold Lake is its largest, and it covers nearly 500 square acres. It has a rocky shoreline and a small island, and it's surrounded by pine trees and granite mountains. Its water flows into Frazier Creek, which eventually meets the Middle Fork of the Feather River, the largest river in the Sierra Nevada. The best part about all of this is that you'll have this gorgeous lake practically to yourself.

Despite being so quiet, there is plenty to do at Gold Lake. All types of water sports are allowed. You can go swimming, of course, but you can also bring kayaks and paddleboards. You can even launch motorized boats from the loading dock, for a daily use fee of $10, to fish or waterski. Off the water, there are plenty of picnic tables around the campsites and more than 30 miles of trails. These trails are used by both hikers and horseback riders. Reid Horse & Cattle Co. offers day trail rides (from $90 per person) at Gold Lake Stables on the northern tip of the lake.

To truly appreciate Gold Lake's beauty, it's worth exploring the hiking trails. For an easy path, follow the three-mile Gold Lake Trail. The out-and-back trail starts at the Round Lake Trailhead, passes ponds and wetlands, and emerges at the edge of the lake. 

A more difficult hike starts at nearby Upper Salmon Lake, which passes Horse Lake and Deer Lake, and briefly connects to the epic Pacific Crest Trail, one of the longest hikes in America. It then descends down to the water on the Gold Lake Shore Trail. Though the steep, challenging trail is nearly nine miles long both ways, the views over the pine trees and the sparkling water are breathtaking and well worth it.

The same could be said about the entire Lakes Basin Recreation Area. You could spend each day exploring a new lake and different trails along the Gold Lake Highway, you can enjoy the cooler temperatures in the shady Plumas National Forest, and also, you get to avoid the crowds by heading this far north in the Sierra Nevada.