Free Camping Collection
Dispersed Camping
Loch Leven Lakes
About
USDA Forest Service
Tahoe National Forest
The Loch Leven begins at Placer County Road Pla-9140-2 and ends at High Loch Leven Lake.
At the south end of lower Loch Leven, a trail junction continues left to middle and high Lochs, or right to Salmon Lake.
Fishing is generally good, and camping is dispersed throughout the basin. Campfire permits are required for campfires, backpacking stoves, BBQs, and lanterns.
Access
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Loch Leven lake
We took Salmon lake trailhead which is shorter trail.
Quiet dispersed camping
We backpacked up to the high loch levens lake where we found many available campsites. But also a lot of the nice view spots were occupied since we didn’t start our hike up early, we started at 5:30pm. The middle lake is very large and had many beautiful spots to camp. But we headed to the upper lake since a lot of day hikers go to the middle lake and don’t always pack out what they pack in. All the sites are very dispersed and you have so much privacy. We saw some people even camping on the boulders! It was very serene and quiet with very respectful campers. The trail up is a bit confusing if you don’t pay absolute attention to where you are going. You can find some orange markings or stacked rocks that help you stay on the path. Reaching our destination was amazing. We swam in the lake and napped in our hammocks. I will say that there was a lot of mosquitos. Even with bug spray I left with 7 bites. But, it’s the outdoors what do you expect? Overall very beautiful area to camp!
- (7) View All
Location
Loch Leven Lakes is located in California
Directions
The trail begins one-eighth mile east of the Big Bend Fire Station on old U.S. 40 (Big Bend exit off I-80). A restroom is available at the trailhead. The trail begins across the road from the parking area. Trail Length: 1.1 miles to railroad tracks 2.5 miles to 1st lake Salmon Lake trail 2.8 miles to 2nd lake 3 miles to Cherry Point trail 3.6 miles to Upper Loch Leven
Coordinates
39.28567488049433 N
120.49747371503742 W