Established Camping
Boca Reservoir - Water Recreation
About
USDA Forest Service
Boca reservoir is a popular spot for water recreation of all kinds. Heavy motorized boat and personal watercraft use, and water skiing on summer weekends. Also popular for wind surfing on the east shore. Kayaking and canoeing when the water is calm (morning and evening). Swimming and fishing too. Year round fishing. Ice fishing during winter depending on conditions. Camping on both the east and west shores of Boca Reservoir. A boat ramp is located near Boca Campground on the southwest end of the reservoir, but may be subject to closure during low water levels. Most single family sites and group campgrounds can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or (877) 444-6777. NO CAMPING OR CAMPFIRES ALLOWED OUTSIDE OF DEVELOPED CAMPGROUNDS. Directions: From Truckee take Interstate 80 east for six miles to the Hirschdale exit. Go north and under I-80 for approximately one mile to Boca Reservoir.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
GuideEasy Access Camping & Boating
Boca Reservoir can be accessed quickly and easily from Highway 80, just north of Truckee. Access is via paved road, but an additional portion of the reservoir may be accessed by dirt road (easy, flat dirt road).
Water levels are down quite a bit - the concrete ramp is many feet from the water's edge. The good news is that there are multiple access points where you can drive down to the water's edge to insert your small boat (kayak, canoe, jet ski). There is one steeper spot by the dam that allows larger hulled boats, but I'll call and check on its status before banking on that.
Stampede Reservoir is just 5 miles further norther, and Prosser Reservoir is just a couple miles to the west. In terms of size, Boca is in the middle, with its larger brother to the norther offering more access points and attracting larger crowds.
When the winds pick up (as the do in the mountains), the wind tends to come from the south to east.
Many camp sites are spaced well apart from each other, while others are side by site. Some have awesome views overlooking the water from hilltop (now, with water levels down, even higher!). A few hiking trails are in the area.
The spinoff from Boca Reservoir goes into the Little Truckee River at a spot that is popular for whitewater kayakers. It isn't an overly technical area, but they seem to be having fun.
Campgrounds are quite at night and all facilities were clean and well maintained.
Location
Boca Reservoir - Water Recreation is located in California
Coordinates
39.3978553 N
120.10838336 W