Lake Alpine

Lake Alpine is a wonderful place to come in the Sierras.  It offers just about everything you could ask for at a mountain lake and then some.

Lake Alpine is located right on Highway 4, just a little past the turnoff for the Bear Valley Ski Area.  It is located at 7400 feet and is past the gate where they stop plowing snow in the winter so Summer and Fall are the best times to visit unless you bring snowshoes or cross country skis.

The lake is open to swimming and boating but boats have to stay at trolling  / no wake speeds so it’s a great place to go canoeing and kayaking.

There are also numerous hiking trails around the lake and some awesome fire trails great for mountain biking.

There are four campgrounds, two located at the west end of the lake and two more located at the east end.  Silvertip and West Shore campgrounds are at the west end.  Pine Martin and Silver Valley are at the east end.

There are several nice picnic areas on the North Shore of the lake as well as several bathrooms, some with running water.  Also on the North Shore is a well maintained, almost level, paved, wheel chair accessible walking trail that stretches all the way from the West end of the lake to the East end.

There is a Boat Ramp and ample parking at the West end of the lake.  There are also numerous places along the lake where you can pull out and walk to the shore, launch a kayak, or just enjoy the view.  At the East end of the lake there is another, smaller parking lot and easy access to the shore.

The Lake Alpine Lodge is located just across the street from the lake at the West End.  The lodge has a small general store where you can buy everything from groceries to fishing tackle.  They also have a very nice restaurant with indoor or outdoor seating.

You can also rent cabins at the lodge if you’d like to stay for a while but don’t want to camp.

In addition to the Lodge, right down the road, a couple miles west, is Bear Valley Village.  Here you can rent bikes or Kayaks , or fill up your gas tank at the Bear Valley Adventure Company do some grocery shopping, eat at the Bear Valley Lodge, or any number of things a this great year around resort.

On your way up the mountain from the west you can also stop in Arnold at Sierra Nevada Adventure Company and rent a Kayak or Canoe.  Also make sure you stop at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods to stock up on any camping or fishing gear you might need.  It’s also a great place to go to get the latest fishing report for the area.

So, Come on up and enjoy the mountains!  Lake Alpine offers you the opportunity to take it as you please with everything from relaxing on the deck at the Lodge with your favorite beverage watching the clouds roll by, to heart pounding adrenaline fueled mountain bike trails.

Directions.

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