The Salmon Lakes let your group choose its level of adventure. Lower Salmon has road and launch access for a straightforward lakeside outing. Upper Salmon rewards a short forest-and-granite hike with swimming rocks and a quieter basin. Visit either on its own or combine them without trying to rush both.

At the water: Lower Salmon is the practical paddling lake. Salmon Lake Lodge offers seasonal rowboat rentals to the public; its kayaks and paddleboards are for overnight guests, so bring your own if that is your plan. Upper Salmon is primarily a hike, swim, and picnic outing.

Getting there: The guidebook describes the Upper Salmon walk as approximately 1.8 miles round trip. Use an offline map and confirm parking and trail access for your chosen starting point.

Host tip: Hike and swim at Upper Salmon first, then return to the lower lake for an unhurried picnic or seasonal rowboat outing.

Before you go: Confirm the lodge’s rental operations directly. Snow, mountain weather, and lake access change with the season; Sierra County watercraft self-inspection applies.

Details for your plan

Location

Southern Lakes Basin

Type of outing

Two ways to the water

From the Lodge

About 1 hour

Getting started

Roadside lower lake; hike to upper lake

Swimming

Swimming at both lakes

Paddling

Lower lake for rowboats & paddling

The idea

One easy shoreline, one short hike, and two versions of a mountain day.

Keep exploring nearby

• Packer Lake

• Upper Sardine Lake