- Blue Lakes are worth a side trip to enjoy the Sierra wilderness
- Just a short drive from Lake Tahoe
- Accessible all year
- Hike to Grouse Lake on a challenging 11-mile trail
- Fish Upper or Lower Blue Lake or nearby Twin Lake
- Camp at any of the 5 campgrounds
Overview
Blue Lakes CA is located in Alpine County, only a short drive from Lake Tahoe on Highway 88. Visitors find they can relax here, surrounded by the lovely Sierra Nevada wilderness landscapes, with tons of outdoor recreation opportunities for the whole family.
Location & Information
Blue Lakes California can be reached by taking Highway 50 from South Lake Tahoe, then jogging over to Highway 88 on California Highway 89. The lakes are west of the 88/89 junction and 6.6 miles east of Carson Pass.
Although the lakes are accessible all year, the best time to come is from spring through to the end of the summer.
Contact Information: 209-295-4251
Activities
Besides the magnificent scenery, Blue Lakes offers many choices for outdoor fun.
- Hiking
On the Mokelumne Wilderness Trail, you can hike 11 miles on a challenging point-to-point trek to Grouse Lake. You’ll pass Granite Lake on the way, and you can enjoy fishing at either of these lakes. The Granite Lake and Upper Blue Lake Trail is an easy to moderate trail of 4.6 miles roundtrip. This one will reveal to you some stunning views. - Fishing
Blue Lakes fishing is popular with anglers from all over the state. You can also access other great fishing spots nearby, if you want to wander a bit. Catch rainbow, lake and cutthroat trout. - Boating
Canoeing, sailing or windsurfing, you’ll enjoy the summer sun on the Blue Lakes. Unimproved ramps are available. - Camping
Enjoy Blue Lakes camping for a real nature experience in the Sierras. There are 5 campgrounds to choose from, all first-come, first-served. Modern restrooms are here as well as fresh water.
Fun Facts
At an elevation of 8,200 feet, Blue Lakes consists of an upper and lower lake connected by a little stream. The lower lake is regularly planted with thousands of pounds of fish, including rainbows and brookies. The upper lake is actually the better lake for fishing, with thousands of rainbows and cutthroat planted every year. Twin Lake is above Upper Blue Lake and is also planted with many trout.
