01
Best in-town swim spot
Graeagle Mill Pond Beach
Central Graeagle • Small-Town Swimming Beach • Easiest Place To Cool Off After Lunch
A compact, grassy swim beach with calm water, picnic tables, and a relaxed village feel just steps from Graeagle’s main street.
This is the spot locals point you to when you ask where to take the kids on a hot afternoon. The shoreline is small but well-kept, with a gentle entry, nearby snacks, and easy parking. Show up early on summer weekends if you want a shady patch of grass close to the water.
02
Wide-open lakeshore
Lightning Tree Beach, Lake Davis
North Of Portola On Lake Davis • Open Lakeside Day-Use Beach • Best For Spreading Out With A Group
A broad, breezy stretch of Lake Davis shoreline with room for chairs, coolers, and kayaks, plus easy water access.
Lightning Tree offers a wide ribbon of shoreline where groups can spread out without feeling crowded. Expect classic Sierra reservoir scenery: scattered pines, big skies, and plenty of space to launch inflatables or paddlecraft. Afternoons can get gusty, so plan your swims earlier in the day if you prefer calmer water.
03
Classic mountain lake
Gold Lake Day Use Beach
Lakes Basin Recreation Area • Alpine Lake Sand-And-Gravel Beach • Best For Pairing With A Hike
A scenic alpine shoreline with clear, cold water and a simple beach area that pairs perfectly with Lakes Basin trails.
Gold Lake feels like the mountain-lake picture you have in your head: blue water, granite ridges, and pines right to the edge. The small day-use beach works well as a base camp for a quick dip before or after hiking nearby trails. The water stays brisk even in midsummer, so plan on refreshing rather than lingering swims.
04
Scenic postcard view
Lower Sardine Lake Shoreline
Below The Sierra Buttes • Rocky Lakeshore With Small Coves • Best For Photo-Worthy Swims
A dramatic lake setting with the Sierra Buttes towering above, dotted with small access points for quick dips and paddles.
Lower Sardine Lake is more about the view than wide sandy beaches, but the few access spots feel memorable and intimate. Expect rocky entries and small clearings where you can slip into the water or launch a paddleboard. Bring water shoes and a camera—the backdrop alone makes this one of the most striking swims near Blairsden.
05
Worth-the-drive reservoir
Frenchman Lake Swim Beach
North Of Chilcoot In Plumas County • Reservoir Beach With Big-Sky Views • Best For Warm, All-Afternoon Swims
A gently sloping reservoir beach with relatively warm water, plenty of shoreline, and room to spend the whole day.
Frenchman Lake tends to warm up earlier and stay swimmable later in the season than the higher alpine lakes closer to Blairsden. The swim beach offers an easy walk-in entry, lots of open space, and a laid-back feel that suits all-day lounging. Shade can be limited, so most locals bring pop-up canopies or umbrellas along with their coolers.