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.

Boca Reservoir - Water Recreation

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.

Easy Access Camping & Boating

All camp sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. Please ensure fires are permitted before starting a fire. The campground was clean and quiet. Pit toilets were clean and well stocked. Please note that I was there during the week. I imagine that during summer weekends it can get quite noisy with boat and jet ski traffic being so close to Reno. I would definitely stay again.

