Last Updated: January 12, 2022
Best Lakes In California: Swimming, Camping, & Fishing
The Golden State truly has it all – panoramic ocean views, spectacular sandy beaches, towering mountain peaks, and more than 3,000 named lakes. That’s a lot of lakes, so we decided to narrow it down for you with this guide to the best lakes in California.
We’ve covered all the best lakes in northern and southern California, with a special emphasis on those lakes that offer excellent camping and relaxing swimming. From the best alpine lakes to those scattered around Cali’s Wine Country – here are all the best lakes in California!
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Best Lakes In California For Swimming
Mono Lake
With sandy beaches, a spectacular island in the middle, and salt content that’s 2.5 times higher than that of the ocean, Mono Lake is one of California’s most popular lakes for swimming. Or should I say floating? The high salt content guarantees a buoyant swim, but also that you’ll have some serious regrets if you dip your head underwater. The salt will sting your eyes, so just try to keep your head above water at all times.
Also, all types of boating are permitted on the lake, which is great. You can also go hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing (in the winter), and even camping. However, it’s important to note that there aren’t any campgrounds within the State Nature Reserve that’s surrounded by the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area. Instead, you’ll need to go to Lundy Canyon or Lee Vining Canyon to find a good camping spot.
Related: Check out our California captions for Instagram
Lake Anza
Lake Anza is a swimming reservoir in Tilden Regional Park, just outside the city of Berkeley. If you are only interested in swimming, this is definitely the best lake for you. Especially if you’re traveling with kids.
The reservoir is open from May to September and it boasts a nice beach with a lifeguard and a designated swimming area.
You’ll eventually get bored of swimming but that’s fine – the lake is within Tilden Park, which offers many other interesting sights and activities to its visitors. Visit the Little Farm to feed the animals, explore the many different hiking trails, go for a picnic in the forest, or just spend your time golfing on the 18-hole golf course.
Lake Del Valle
Lake Del Valle is a water reservoir popular for swimming and boating in Del Valle Regional Park. There are two swimming beaches with lifeguards, and you’re allowed to go swimming in pretty much any part of the lake you want as long as you are careful.
This is a great place for family vacations because you can rent pedal boats and kayaks for some family water fun! Also, there are equestrian camps in the regional park, as well as quite a few thrilling hiking trails that even veteran trekkers will enjoy. If you enjoy horseback riding, hiking scenic trails, and waking up to birdsong, you’ll have a great time at Lake Del Valle!
There are about 150 campsites near the lake, but not all of them have the amenities you need for a prolonged stay. Consider reserving a place in advance if you want to have water, sewage, and electricity at your campsite.
Shadow Cliffs Lake
Shadow Cliffs Lake is the highlight of the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. This is a very popular lake for swimming, fishing, picnics, and boating, so it’s no surprise that it manages to draw in huge crowds in peak season.
This lake is unique because it’s in a very urban area. You can walk to the closest town, so it’s really a great city escape. But there’s no hiking or camping here, so don’t expect to spend more than a few hours at Shadow Cliffs Lake.
Best Lakes In California For Camping
Lake Berryessa
Lake Berryessa is the largest lake in Napa County. It’s known for the huge hole that’s there to prevent flooding from the Monticello Dam. You probably won’t get sucked into another dimension if you get too close to the hole, but it’s best to keep your distance in any case.
Swimming in the lake is allowed, but there aren’t any lifeguards around so you’re on your own. Fishing is allowed as well, and there are quite a few different species in the lake including catfish. Other fun things to do near Lake Berryessa are hiking, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and many others.
Camping at Lake Berryessa is amazing – not only are you waking up to spectacular landscape views every day, but you’re also in wine country! There are so many fun things to do within driving distance of Lake Berryessa that you wouldn’t get bored if you camped here for a month.
Convict Lake
Convict Lake lies at the foot of Mount Morrison and it features some of the best views you’ll experience in California. If you enjoy waking up in your RV to dramatic vistas of mountain peaks and mesmerizing landscapes, you will certainly love camping near Convict Lake.
This lake is popular for fishing thanks to the abundance of brown trout. But you might not catch any, since they love hiding in the depths of the lake. At some points, Convict Lake is 140 feet deep and it’s one of the cleanest lakes in the state, making it perfect for a refreshing deep-water swim. Just watch out for fish hooks and boats!
There are developed campsites in Inyo National Forest just north of the lake, and it’s possible to reserve a pitch in advance. Apart from picturesque camping and brown trout, Convict Lake is also popular for hiking, horseback riding, boating, mountain biking, and more.
Donner Lake
Head to Donner Memorial State Park for an unforgettable camping trip near Donner Lake. Named after the ominous Donner Party, this lake boasts picturesque views, ample fishing opportunities, and some of the best car camping in the state.
The state park features both RV camping parks and classic campgrounds, so it’s great for all types of camping. There are 154 campsites total in the park, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a spot you love.
Donner Lake is open for swimming between May and September when the water temperature is in the 60s and 70s. It’s great if you enjoy swimming in cold water, especially since the lake is so clean beneath the surface.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a natural freshwater lake in California, and it’s one of the most popular lakes for camping and fishing. It’s also known as the “Bass Capital of the West” thanks to the lake’s large population of largemouth bass, bluegill, carp, catfish, and crappie. If you enjoy camping and fishing, you will certainly enjoy a trip to Clear Lake.
This is also the oldest lake in North America, with an approximate age of 2,5 million years. But the rich history is not exactly a reason to visit Clear Lake. Instead, people come here for scenic views, fishing, hiking, camping, and water fun. There are many different campsites near the lake and you don’t need to worry about reserving a spot in advance.
Swimming is allowed in Clear Lake but it’s not always the best idea. In late summer, the algae in the lake bloom, causing it to appear dirty and smell bad in certain places. This discourages most people from getting in the water. There are hotels with pools in the area and they’re a good alternative for swimmers.
Butte Lake
Butte Lake is great for camping especially if you enjoy being away from the crowds. It’s not very popular with visitors, making it perfect for campers who like solitude. The campground lacks most of the modern amenities but makes up for them with abundant recreational opportunities in the area.
This lake is in Lassen Volcanic National Park, so there’s a lot of fun things to do if you decide to camp in the area. Hiking is very popular and allows you to explore volcanic craters and mountain peaks. Cinder Cone trail is easily the most popular one in the area – it takes you to the top of a volcanic crater for an absolutely astonishing sight.
Best Lakes In Northern California
Shasta Lake
Shasta Lake is actually a water reservoir and the largest of its kind in California. It’s popular for cruises, swimming, and kayaking, so it’s a great lake to visit if you just want to have some fun on the water.
You can rent a houseboat on the lake, which is pretty cool. If you’d rather camp, you’ll be happy to know you can do so pretty much anywhere. Camping at Lake Shasta is allowed outside of the designated areas unless stated otherwise. There aren’t that many developed camping grounds in the area anyway, so this is pretty much necessary to draw in the crowds.
It’s worth noting that it’s possible to fish in the lake, but it’s not recommended to eat the fish. Mercury and PCB levels are quite high in the local species, so there’s a whole routine you need to do if you want to eat the fish caught in this lake.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe lies on the border between California and Nevada and it’s one most popular lakes in both states. It’s popular for winter and summer sports, gorgeous scenery throughout the year, and some of the best vacation resorts in the area. It also doesn’t hurt that the lake is very close to Yosemite, which happens to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of California.
There are a lot of campsites near Lake Tahoe and you can stay at some of them free of charge. It’s worth noting that the free campsites don’t offer any amenities. It’s okay to swim in the lake as long as you’re cautious. The surface temperature is often deceivingly warm and there’s often a significant drop in temperature once you dive below the surface.
Lake Tahoe has some of the best fishing in California so you’ll love it if you’re into fishing! The area is also popular for hiking, bird watching, and skiing – both in the mountains and on the water.
Lake Sonoma
California’s Wine Country is home to several beautiful lakes, and one of those is Lake Sonoma. It’s surrounded by vineyards, so wine tasting is definitely one of the things to do if you’re ever in the area.
Lake Sonoma is also popular for camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, and boating. There’s a variety of things to keep you occupied here, and whether you’re there for a day or a week, you’ll be able to do something you enjoy.
Also, each campsite features a fire pit, a picnic table, and a tent area, so it’s perfect for family vacations. The nice climate and warm water make Lake Sonoma quite popular with swimmers, but it’s worth noting that there aren’t any lifeguards in the area, so you assume all the risk. There’s a designated beach for swimming, and there are a few other nooks where boat speeds are restricted.
Trinity Lake
Trinity Lake is an artificial lake formed by the Trinity Dam in Northern California. It’s one of the state’s largest reservoirs and it’s known for the many inlets and arms. Also, Trinity Lake is very popular for water skiing, thanks to the excellent conditions.
Boating and fishing are also popular here and there are designated areas for swimmers. The lake is also known for excellent wildlife and bird watching, so it’s a great lake to visit if you just enjoy spending time in nature.
If you’re up for some more thrilling activities, you can ride ATVs, go rock climbing, and explore some exciting hiking trails in Trinity County. Trinity Lake is also popular with campers, thanks to the many different campgrounds in the area. Only the Rush Creek Campground is free though, so you might want to consider reserving a spot before you visit.
Collins Lake
Collins Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Northern California. With ample fishing opportunities, abundant campgrounds, and boat rentals, this lake is perfect for family trips. One thing that makes this lake so popular with campers is the sheer amount of lakefront pitches they offer.
Camping at Collins Lake is available year-round, and you can reserve pitches in advance. It’s worth noting that this place is very popular with families, so expect medium-large crowds whenever you visit.
This lake boasts one of the largest trout planting programs in Northern California, which is what makes it so popular for fishing. There are other species in the water and they’re all abundant, despite the high surface water temperature.
There’s also a seasonal swimming area, but there aren’t any lifeguards around.
Best Lakes In Southern California
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is a unique lake that’s worth visiting. It’s the largest lake in California but it has such a high salt content that it’s technically an inland sea and not a lake. Plus, it’s also one of the largest inland seas in the world.
Fishing in the lake is not really a thing since the salt content is so high that most fish species just can’t survive it. There are some fish in the lake, but it could take you a while to catch one of them. Swimming is also not really an option – it’s a possibility but it’s definitely neither fun nor enjoyable.
So, what is there to do in the area? There are interesting hiking trails in the area that are certainly worth exploring. Also, you can visit the International Banana Museum, which is every bit as weird as it sounds. There’s even a casino nearby, but it’s not quite as glamorous as you might expect.
You can camp near the lake in Salton Sea State Recreation Area. The park is also popular with hikers, birdwatchers, kayakers, and photographers. Keep in mind that this is one of the busiest lakes in California, so you might want to reserve a campsite in advance.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is in San Bernardino National Forest, just outside LA. The weather in the area is great year-round and no matter when you visit there will be plenty of fun things to do. This California lake is popular for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Additionally, Big Bear Lake is close to both Phoenix and Las Vegas, as well as the Mojave and Joshua Tree national parks. It’s a great lake for camping because there’s so much stuff to see and do in the area, especially if you’re willing to go on a quick road trip.
Camping is very popular at Big Bear lake and you can camp pretty much wherever you want. Off-site camping is available in the area, as well as developed campgrounds with modern amenities.
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake is another water reservoir formed by a dam and it’s popular for water recreation. Jet-skiing, boating, fishing, hiking, and camping are all popular in the area. You can even go swimming, but it’s not recommended. There’s a lot of blue-green algae in the lake and exposure to them can have a negative impact on your health. Toxicity levels of the water are measured often, so be sure to check whether the local authorities recommend swimming during your visit.
You can camp at Pyramid Lake if you want to – there are a lot of campgrounds in the area that are equipped with most of the amenities modern campers need. Camping at the lake is great because there’s a lot of fun things to do in the area, but also because you can explore places that are a bit further away.
If you enjoy hiking, you’ll definitely want to visit the Slide Mountain Lookout. It boasts a 360-degree view of the northwest part of the Angeles National Forest that is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a long hike and most of the trail is exposed, so it’s best to do a hike before the sun is out.
Castaic Lake
Castaic Lake is just a short drive away from Pyramid Lake, and an excellent alternative if the first one is too busy for your liking. It’s a water reservoir formed by the Castaic dam, and it’s actually the largest water reservoir in Southern California.
The lake is in a state park, so there are a lot of fun things to do in the area. Fishing is very popular at the lake thanks to the abundance of bass in both the upper and lower lake. You can also go hiking, bird watching, swimming (at the designated areas), and boating.
Camping is also possible near the lake, but it’s not one of the more popular things to do here. There aren’t many camping grounds in the area, but the ones that exist are well maintained and equipped with modern amenities.
Castaic Lake is one of the most picturesque spots in Southern California, thanks to the tall mountain peaks that tower over the lake’s azure water. The quiet surroundings and beautiful views are relaxing and very easy to enjoy.
Silverwood Lake
Silverwood Lake is just outside Los Angeles, and it’s a popular spot for a quick city break. The lake is very popular for swimming when the conditions allow it. It was closed for swimming a few times in the past due to high algae toxins in the water, but this usually doesn’t last more than a few weeks.
The lake is in Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area, which lies on the Pacific Crest Trail. There are a lot of great hiking trails in the area, and you can even do sections of the PCT! You can also go boating, kayaking, windsurfing, and ride SUPs here, so it’s a great place for anyone who enjoys some water fun.
This lake is also great if you enjoy fishing. It’s abundant with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie so it’s no surprise why fishing here is so popular. Plus, there are speed limits in the best fishing spots that keep water skiers away.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s not always recommended to eat all the fish caught in Silverwood Lake. Rainbow trout is generally safe, but it’s not recommended to eat other species due to contamination.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
