01
Best overall pick
Lake Davis
North Of Portola • Spacious Mountain Reservoir Beach • Best Overall Day On The Water
A broad, pine-rimmed lake with easy shoreline access, mellow coves, and room to spread out for a full day by the water.
About a half-hour from Mabie, Lake Davis feels made for classic summer lake days, with gentle sloping shores and plenty of room for chairs and coolers. Head for one of the main day-use areas, where you’ll find picnic tables, vault toilets, and informal beach stretches that work well for swimming and launching inflatable kayaks. Mornings are usually calmest for paddling and fishing, while afternoons draw more families and casual swimmers.
02
Best for camping and a swim
Frenchman Lake
Near Chilcoot In Eastern Plumas County • High-Desert Style Lakeshore With Coves • Top Pick For Fishing And Camping
A windswept blue lake backed by sagebrush hills, with campground-adjacent beaches that invite a cool dip after a day on the water.
Frenchman Lake has a more open, high-desert feel than the forested lakes closer to Mabie, and its broad shoreline gives you options for both boats and blankets. Several campgrounds sit right on the water, so you can wander from your site to a small beachy stretch for swimming or wading. It is especially popular with anglers, so expect boats in the main basin and look to smaller coves if you want a quieter swim.
03
Best for paddling and exploring
Gold Lake
Lakes Basin Recreation Area Southwest Of Mabie • Granite-Framed Alpine Lake • Best For Paddling And Exploring Coves
A large, island-dotted alpine lake with rocky pocket beaches that reward anyone willing to paddle or wander a bit from the road.
Gold Lake is one of the anchors of Lakes Basin, and while the shoreline is more mixed rock and sand than broad sandbar, there are plenty of sunny spots to lay out a towel. A small day-use area near the boat ramp gives easy water access, and paddlers can work along the edges to find quiet inlets with flat rock slabs that function as impromptu beaches. Come early on summer weekends; parking is limited and the lake is a favorite with kayakers and canoeists.
04
Most dramatic mountain backdrop
Lower Sardine Lake
Below The Sierra Buttes Near Sardine Lake Resort • Compact Alpine Swimming Beach • Best For Dramatic Scenery
A small but memorable lakeside strip where cool clear water meets sheer Sierra Buttes cliffs towering directly above the shoreline.
Lower Sardine Lake trades wide sandy expanses for knockout scenery, with the jagged Sierra Buttes filling the sky at the far end of the water. The shoreline by the public access area is a mix of tiny beach pockets and flat rocks, enough for a few groups at a time to swim, sun, and watch the light move across the peaks. It is a better fit for a lingering dip and photo stop than an all-day sandcastle mission.
05
Best for small kids and quick dips
Graeagle Mill Pond
Central Graeagle • Small-Town Swim Pond • Best For Young Kids And Picnics
A managed little pond with a sandy edge, grassy lawn, and low-key swim area right in the middle of Graeagle.
Just down the road from Mabie, the Graeagle Mill Pond offers the most convenient beach-style swimming around, with a shallow roped-off area that suits younger kids. A narrow sandy strip and surrounding lawn make it easy to keep an eye on everyone while you picnic or read in the shade. Summer weekends can be lively with locals, but the easy parking and in-town amenities make it a fuss-free choice for a quick cool-down.