I'm not big on camping, but I'll do it. The campgrounds is off the beaten path. We had to take a…read morewindy road to get there. Our group site had plenty of trees that provided shade. There were no showers at this location and only vault toilets, which I was weary of. Even so, it wasn't too bad as we were there only two nights. It got quite dark at night, especially since there was a fire restriction- no campfire. There aren't any hiking trails that I know of, but there is a reservoir close by if you want to swim or do other water activities. Be aware there is very limited cell phone coverage and there are no stores close by.

First time camping trip this past weekend (June) and we selected this campground based on the…read morepositive reviews and it's location near a lake. We brought jet skis and rafts and did not get to use them. Our first night went smoothly, not too chilly and our campsite was clean and dry and we loved our fire pit. However, the weather changed in the early morning the following day and it proceeded to pour down the rest of the weekend. It was 50 degrees or less with wind and we were trying to get on the lake, it's also important to note that there is a bit of a current, so visitors should be careful, especially with children. Our camp host Michael was friendly overall and helpful when we ran out of lighter fluid. I can not stress this enough; create a checklist and pack accordingly!!! There is no store except back in Foresthill, an hour and a half drive up the windy roads. Double up on the essentials like fire wood, lighter fluid, gas for coals, and hand sanitizer! I found it odd that there were some bathrooms with sinks and others without. Also, there are one toilet bathrooms and bathrooms with 2 stalls, but you have to look all over for them. I was grateful we had no wildlife run ins except for the occasional raccoon and giant spider. It's a very remote and quiet campground, I loved that we had no reception because it's forced our group to be present and enjoy the wilderness. I don't know if I would return to this campground because of the bathrooms and it's distance on windy narrow roads, but it was an experience I am glad I had!

I gotta be honest and give credit where due. This is a nice, clean, accesible area that allows for…read moremany different activities and for all sorts of personalities. There are paths for walking and biking. Restroom nearby are well maintained, and with water spots in the area too. Just need to be aware of people who ride motor vehicles in prohibited areas. And the occasional nut discharging guns late at night. Some may even get bonfires going during fire season. Other than that, this is a great spot for all to enjoy.

I have been coming to this campground my entire life! My mom worked for SMUD for over 30+ years and…read morethis has always been our campground of choice. We come every year in the summer time! The campground is private and you must either work for SMUD or know someone that works there in order to camp. It is located on Ice House Road along the manmade Union Valley Reservoir. There are 51 campsites that are well maintained. They allow RVs and camper trailers. Dogs as well and each campsite allows for a maximum of 10 people. We love coming during the cornhole tournament weekend and they also host a bingo weekend. There are showers and toilets as well as a large playground for the kids. It's a great family campground - we love making new memories every year!

Have now done this hike/loop a few times now and it's definitely worth the drive and parking…read morefiasco. The trail is about 4 miles long and takes just a couple hours to do at a slow/medium pace. The trail is pretty wide, there were people with their dogs, a few little kids, and lots of groups enjoying the beautiful day. The majority of the trail is shady and covered by beautiful trees, some spots are under the direct sun so bring a hat or sunnies. You'll see tons of butterflies, wild flowers, birds, and of course will see the spillway. Parking is $10 cash paid to the park. This most recent time that I came it was very difficult to find parking, so if you plan to come on a weekend plan ahead and come early. I would also recommend bringing bus spray and being cautious of the poison ivy along the sides of the trail. Overall it's a beautiful hike and I'd recommend it!

Beautiful hike!! Highly recommend! There is a $10 parking fee. The fee grants you access to…read moreMULTIPLE trails for the ENTIRE day, take advantage and check out different areas to explore the scenery. More info on their website! The hike was moderate. Pretty straight forward, some steep elevation here and there. But worth the experience! As we hiked I was greeted by the buzzing bees at work, different species of butterflies, and watched the birds glide above me. The trail is filled with trees that provided shade, accompanied by drafts of wind. Hearing the water crash as we got closer to the dam was the best motivation to quicken our pace. So stunning! There's a small bench where you can sit to enjoy the view before your hike back. We were wiped because we went at peak heat level, rookie mistake. So definitely check the weather to go at a cooler time to thoroughly enjoy this wonderful scenic hike!

Wow wow wow!! This is a must stop point if you like waterfalls, creeks, rock formations, mountains…read moreand scrambling. Brought my kids 5 & 8 and they can do most of it. Views are incredible. We went to the waterfall (10 mins on the trail) and bridge and then to the vista point. Wanted to do more but the 5 y/o got tired. You can scramble this whole mountain!

The hike was just the right amount of challenging to really appreciate the top and sit and look…read moreover the lake. It took us about 4 hours round trip. Nice clean trail, no bikers. It was great. Would do it again.

White Pines exploring this weekend was insane. My daughter and I had a blast riding some of the…read morefire roads with unreal views. There's miles of roads and trails everywhere that lead down to the river. Super chill people out and about enjoying the weather. Will definitely be back next time in Arnold.

Came up here for 4th of July weekend, and what a cool little gem it is! Lots of nice beach area,…read morehiking, frisbee golf, fishing, and just general fun on the lake with swimming, inflatables, etc. I totally recommend! :)

A diamond in the rough for Sierra lakes. If you want to get away from tons of people, you'll love…read morethis place. Purchase rental cabin from Bucks Marina or Bucks Lake Shore Lodge. Also, Lake Shore lodge has a full bar and restaurant with outstanding food and drinks. Get the tree smacker for the full effect....LOL Enjoy this lake, it's one of kind. I've been going there since 1967...It's the real deal for a mountain experience!!!!! Cools down at night, so you sleep great....Hank D. Sr.

wonderful place! wonderful staff and wonderful people! Bucks Lake is a must visit if you have not…read morebeen yet what a wonderful secret/ destination spot!

The best spot to spend time in quiet and fish, they got picnic areas to be there with your family…read moreand spend some quality time.

This is a bequtiful little trout lake About an hour above…read moreloomis ca. Ive taken my kids here for many years and now take their kids. Grrat plave for a picnik. Some casu a l float or bank fidhing with no noise and few people on weekdays. Easy access but not much parking.

Beautiful and quiet. Nice little trail that goes around the lake. Great little lake for Kayaking.read more

I visited Lake Kirkwood in August. It's a small pristine High Sierra lake off highway 88 west of…read moreKirkwood Ski Resort. The road from 88 goes to a sandy beach and a lovely 12 site camping area. There are several private summer cabins around the lake which can only be accessed by boat or hiking trail. The trail around the lake is an easy 2 or 3 miles. You can launch a boat, however no motor boats are allowed. Swimming and fishing are OK. Mosquitoes might be a problem in the early summer or evening. There's an old-fashioned Girl Scout camp on the lake that operates for just a couple weeks during the summer.

Alpine Lake offers an idyllic retreat for outdoor enthusiasts seeking tranquility and stunning…read morevistas. The surrounding terrain boasts incredible natural beauty and a serene ambiance, making it a popular destination for paddling, relaxation, and wildlife viewing. What many fail to realize is that the lake's true splendor is best appreciated from the water, where visitors can immerse themselves in the serene landscape. Nestled amidst the mature coniferous forests along the shores of serene Lake Alpine, the Lake Alpine Campground is one of five scenic camping destinations within the larger Lake Alpine Recreation Area. It is a superb place to paddle and camp! FOr more info: https://www.paddlingcalifornia.com/Alpine_Lake.html

Beautiful Lake at 7300 feet! I came up to this lake to go kayaking. The water was clear and…read moreperfect for paddling around in Mid-September. Probably a little chilly for swimming, though. There was plenty of irregular cloud cover, and the temperature was in the seventies with a slight breeze. I wore a long-sleeved shirt and PFD and felt comfortable. My paddling companion was wearing a t-shirt initially, but felt cold and had to add layers partway in our circumnavigation of the lake. There are some nearby structures that I guess are privately owned residences nearby. A few others were also kayaking around. I saw one motorized craft tooling slowly around, so it is allowed. Parking was pretty crowded for the number of available parking. Day use parking is $5 available at the store in the lodge building or at the little shack near the boat launch. $10 fee to use the boat launch. The campground host of the Silvertip campground also oversees the camping at Lodgepole campground, about a mile east of the lake where we camped. According to him(Thom), he also patrols the parking in the day use parking and along the shore. If you are staying at the campgrounds and have checked into your site with the host(Thom), the additional $5 day parking fee is waived (wish someone had told us that. We had already paid at the store earlier).