Lake Davis is less about one famous beach and more about choosing your own stretch of water. Pine forest, open meadows, and a broad shoreline create space for paddling, picnicking, birdwatching, fishing, or a relaxed summer swim. It is an especially useful choice when you want a substantial outing with a short drive home.

At the water: Motorboats are allowed, while waterskiing and jet skis are prohibited. Explore sheltered coves by kayak or paddleboard; morning often brings calmer water. J&J’s Grizzly Store offers seasonal rentals—confirm the current selection before leaving.

Getting there: Choose a launch or day-use area before leaving reliable cell service. Water levels change the shoreline; look for a firm entry and keep swimming away from boating facilities and launch traffic.

Host tip: Get on the water early, bring binoculars, and save the afternoon for a shoreline picnic.

Before you go: Wind can build quickly. Launch fees, docks, water, and services vary by site and season.

Choose your Lake Davis access point

Start with a particular cove, ramp, or trailhead. Match it to your fishing plan, boat, and group: a campground name is not necessarily the name of its nearest launch. The Lodge's roughly 20-minute drive estimate reaches the lake area, not every point around the shoreline.

Grasshopper Flat — camping beside Honker Cove

Best fit: camping, with boating and fishing nearby. This shaded southeast-side campground has paved access, campsite tables and fire rings, and seasonal toilet and shower facilities. The neighboring launch is Honker Cove, rather than a separate Grasshopper ramp. Day visitors should use the public launch or day-use area, rather than an unoccupied campsite. Confirm current services.

Honker Cove — a developed east-side launch

Best fit: launching a fishing boat near Grasshopper Flat. The Forest Service lists a concrete ramp, seasonal loading dock, parking, and toilet facilities. Camping is next door at Grasshopper Flat, not in the launch parking area. Leave room for trailers and launch traffic; choose a separate stretch of shore for casting or swimming.

Camp 5 — a west-side launch and accessible fishing route

Best fit: boat access, shore fishing, and picnicking. Alongside the concrete ramp, seasonal dock, large parking area, and vault toilets, the site has a separate accessible fishing trail. This is day use, not a developed campground. Fishing, swimming, and diving are prohibited near the ramp and loading dock. Use the designated fishing access and check the route's actual condition on arrival.

Lightning Tree — boating with camping nearby

Best fit: an east-side boat departure or a camping-based fishing trip. The launch has a concrete ramp, seasonal dock, paved parking, and a vault toilet. Lightning Tree Campground is a separate neighboring facility with tent and RV sites. Check its season, services, and accessible-site availability directly; bring a weather-aware plan for small craft.

Mallard Cove — small craft and a picnic

Best fit: smaller-watercraft outings and a day-use pause. The current Forest Service description lists a single-lane concrete ramp without a loading dock, unpaved parking, a vault toilet, and picnic tables. Check ramp and water conditions for your craft before committing to a trailer launch. This is not listed as a developed campground.

Grizzly Campground — a south-end camping base

Best fit: shaded tent/RV camping with fishing and lake walks nearby. Sites have tables and fire rings, with seasonal campground services. Grizzly is not itself a launch; Recreation.gov places a boat ramp about half a mile north. Reserve or confirm camping directly, and check current water, toilet, and shower availability.

Lake Davis Dam Picnic Area — a scenic meeting place

Best fit: a picnic, reservoir introduction, or meeting the group. The Forest Service lists covered tables, unpaved parking, a vault toilet, and interpretation about the lake. Treat this as a picnic facility, rather than a developed launch, campground, or designated accessible fishing platform.

Catfish Cove — a short viewpoint walk

Best fit: a scenic walk and viewpoint picnic. The Forest Service brochure describes an accessible trail to a knoll and table overlooking the lake. It does not identify a developed ramp, campground, or accessible fishing platform here. Check the route's present condition before relying on mobility access.

More places to fish from shore

The Forest Service brochure identifies these nine shore-fishing access points. They are separate from the developed launches and campgrounds. The brochure's amenity listings are a planning reference; facilities and access may have changed.

• Bluff Cove: shoreline fishing; no amenities listed.

• Coot Bay: shoreline fishing; toilet listed.

• Cow Creek: shoreline fishing; vault toilet listed.

• Eagle Point: shoreline fishing; no amenities listed.

• Fairview Point: shoreline fishing; toilet listed.

• Freeman Creek: shoreline fishing; no amenities listed.

• Jenkins Point: shoreline fishing; toilet listed.

• Long Point: shoreline fishing; no amenities listed.

• Mosquito Cove: shoreline fishing; no amenities listed.

For shore fishing, look for firm footing and enough casting space. Changing water levels can leave mud, vegetation, or a longer approach. Ask locally which access suits the day's wind and your method; this access guide is not a catch report. Open the Lake Davis fishing guide →

Check the day, not just the map

Docks, gates, ramps, toilets, and campground services are seasonal. A ramp can remain physically present when its dock or services are unavailable; current agency notices take priority. Bring drinking water, download the route, and choose a backup access point. Strong lake winds can make small-craft outings unsuitable. Check current fishing regulations for Lake Davis and any tributary you intend to fish.

Forest Service sites and current notices →
Forest Service area brochure and map (2020 reference) →
Lightning Tree camping information →
Grizzly camping information →
California fishing regulations and licensing →

For current facility questions, contact the Beckwourth Ranger District at (530) 836-2575. Access descriptions checked October 2026; they do not promise that a site or service will be open on your travel date.

Details for your plan

Location

North of Portola

Type of outing

Easy shoreline

From the Lodge

About 20 minutes

Getting started

Choose a day-use site

Swimming

Natural shoreline swimming

Paddling

Kayaks, canoes & quiet boating

The idea

Room to spread out, quiet coves, and a lake day close to the Lodge.

Go straight to the source

Official information ↗

Keep exploring nearby

• Graeagle Mill Pond

• Frenchman Lake