01
Best high-country escape
Medicine Lake Recreation Area
Medicine Lake Highlands • High-Elevation Forest Lake Beach • Best For Cool Summer Escapes
A clear, shallow shoreline backed by dense pine forest makes Medicine Lake feel like a classic mountain beach day without the crowds.
Set high in the Medicine Lake Highlands, this lakeshore offers pockets of sandy and pebbly beach where you can wade out gradually into clear, surprisingly swimmable water. Picnic tables and nearby campgrounds make it easy to turn a quick dip into a full-day outing. Afternoons can bring a stiff breeze, so early or late in the day is when the lake is at its calmest and most inviting.
02
Quiet forest cove
Blue Lake at Blue Lake Campground
South Of Likely • Small, Sheltered Lakeside Beach • Great For Unplugged Weekends
Blue Lake tucks a small swimming area into the trees, giving you a sheltered, low-key spot to float, paddle, and listen to the wind in the pines.
Down a forest road south of Likely, Blue Lake feels hidden in the best way: a compact lake rimmed by evergreens, with a simple beach area and easy water access. It is an ideal choice if you prefer a mellow swim, a canoe instead of a speedboat, and a campsite within a short walk of the shoreline. Bring what you need for the day, because once you settle into the quiet, you will not be in a hurry to leave.
03
Best for boating and fishing
West Valley Reservoir
East Of Likely • Open Shoreline Reservoir Beach • Top Pick For Anglers Who Like To Swim
With long stretches of accessible shoreline, West Valley Reservoir lets you split the day between casting from shore, launching a boat, and cooling off with a swim.
East of Likely, this broad reservoir has a rugged, open feel and plenty of spots where the shoreline flattens into informal beaches. The water is popular with boaters and anglers, so expect more activity here than at tucked-away forest lakes, especially on summer weekends. If you want a place where the kids can splash while the adults keep an eye on rods or a moored boat, this is the local go-to.
04
Family-friendly day trip
Lake Britton
Near Burney • Family Swimming Beach On A Large Lake • Best Combo With Burney Falls
Lake Britton offers designated swimming areas, gentle entry, and classic reservoir views, making it a natural add-on to a visit to McArthur-Burney Falls State Park.
A bit farther from Daphnedale Park but worth the drive, Lake Britton serves up a more developed beach experience with marked swim zones and nearby picnic spots. The water warms up nicely in midsummer, and the sandy and gravelly edges are easy for kids and casual waders. Many locals pair a hike and photo stop at Burney Falls with an afternoon of swimming, paddling, or renting a small boat on the lake.
05
Big-sky shoreline
Eagle Lake Recreation Area
West Of Susanville • Wide Reservoir Beach With Long Views • Best For Sunset Strolls And Birding
Eagle Lake's broad, shallow edges and sweeping basin views create a spacious beach feel that is all about sky, water, and slowly changing light.
West of Susanville, Eagle Lake is one of the region's signature waters, ringed by low ridges and pockets of shoreline where you can spread out a blanket and wander along the edge. The lake is known for fishing and boating, but quieter coves double as relaxed swimming and wading spots on hot days. Stick around into the evening and you will often catch dramatic sunsets and frequent bird activity moving across the open water.