01
Best alpine escape
Lake Sabrina
Bishop Creek Canyon, West Of Bishop • Rocky Alpine Lakeshore With Small Coves • Best For Cool Summer Afternoons
A classic Eastern Sierra lake with granite peaks, cold clear water, and plenty of shoreline to spread out along.
Drive straight up Highway 168 from Bishop and you end at Lake Sabrina, a compact alpine reservoir ringed by granite and pines. The shoreline is more rocky ledge than powdery sand, but there are plenty of little pockets to lay out a towel, sun on warm granite, and dangle your feet in the water. It’s a great pick when the valley is baking and you want crisp air, big views, and an easy lake day without committing to a full hike.
02
Quiet high-country retreat
South Lake
Upper Bishop Creek Canyon • Tranquil Alpine Lake With Informal Beachy Spots • Best For Peaceful Picnics
A higher, quieter lake where low-key shoreline pullouts become your own little high-country “beach.”
South Lake sits at the end of a side road off Highway 168, a bit higher and quieter than Sabrina. You won’t find a developed swim beach here, but the margins of the lake offer flat, sandy-and-gravel pockets ideal for camp chairs, picnic blankets, and dangling boats on a rope nearby. Come for the mellow vibe, mirrorlike morning water, and the feeling that you’ve tucked yourself into a corner of the Sierra far from the crowds.
03
Wide-open water playground
Crowley Lake
Crowley Lake, North Of Bishop Along Us-395 • High-Desert Reservoir With Broad, Open Shoreline • Best For Boating And Big-Sky Views
A sprawling lake where beachy coves, boat launches, and open vistas make for a classic all-day outing.
Crowley Lake is where Bishop locals go when they want more room to roam, with long stretches of shoreline and easy access to the water. Around the marina and day-use areas you’ll find gravelly, beach-like edges that work well for launching paddleboards, letting kids play in the shallows, or setting up a day camp with shade shelters. Expect a breezier, more open feel here, with big-sky sunsets and boats speckling the water rather than tight alpine walls.
04
Most classic sandy beach
June Lake Beach
June Lake Loop Off Us-395 • Family-Friendly Sandy Swim Beach • Best For Swimming And Sunbathing
A genuine sandy beach on a clear Sierra lake, complete with shallow water, mountain views, and room to spread out.
About an hour north of Bishop, June Lake Beach is the spot that feels closest to a traditional beach day, just with snow-capped peaks framing the scene. A broad stretch of sand slides gently into shallow water, making it ideal for wading, floating, and letting kids splash around. Arrive early on summer weekends for easier parking, then settle in for a full day of sunshine, swimming, and paddling on one of the prettiest lakes in the region.
05
Best flexible lake-day base
Horseshoe Lake
Mammoth Lakes Basin • Casual Forested Lakeshore With Open Sandy Patches • Best For Mixing Beach Time With Short Walks
A laid-back lakeshore where sandy stretches, forests, and trails all start from the same easy-to-reach spot.
Horseshoe Lake, just above the town of Mammoth Lakes, offers a loose, easygoing take on the beach experience. The shoreline includes sandy and pumicey patches where you can park a chair, toss a frisbee, and wander in and out of the water without feeling crowded. With short trails radiating from the lake and other basin lakes a quick drive or walk away, it’s a great choice if your group wants a little bit of everything in one stop.