California has a weird obsession with naming things "Lost Lake." If you pull up a map right now, you’re going to find at least half a dozen of them scattered from the high Sierras down to the Colorado River. It’s confusing. Honestly, it’s a mess for anyone trying to plan a weekend trip without ending up three hundred miles away from where they intended to be.
Most people looking for Lost Lake in California are actually searching for one of two very specific spots: the resort on the edge of the Colorado River near Blythe, or the alpine gem tucked away in the Lakes Basin of the Northern Sierra. They couldn't be more different. One is a desert oasis where you’ll probably see a jet ski and drink a lukewarm beer; the other is a literal hike into a granite-rimmed bowl where the water stays ice-cold even in August.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: What You Actually Need to Know About the Map UAE
Let's get the geography straight before you pack the wrong shoes.
The Desert Version: Lost Lake Resort on the Colorado River
If you’re driving down Highway 95 near the California-Arizona border, you’ll hit the most "famous" version. This isn't a natural lake in the traditional sense. It’s an offshoot of the Colorado River, located about 30 miles north of Blythe.
It’s dusty. It’s hot. It’s also a total blast if you’re into the river lifestyle. This Lost Lake is primarily a private resort and campground that sits on the Riverside County side. People come here for the "Lost Lake" experience, which mostly involves long-term RV sites, a boat launch, and some of the best catfish and bass fishing in the lower desert.
The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) land surrounds much of this area, so you have to be mindful of where you're wandering. Most of the "lost" feeling comes from the fact that cell service is spotty at best once you dip down into the river valley. You're basically in a sun-bleached pocket of the 1970s.
You’ve got a general store, a bar, and a lot of people who have been parking their trailers in the exact same spot every winter for thirty years. It’s a community. It’s not "lost" to the people who live there, but for a city person from LA or Phoenix, it feels like the end of the world.
What to actually do at the River
Don't expect hiking. You go here to be on the water.
The current of the Colorado River near Lost Lake can be deceptively fast. Locals will tell you to watch out for the sandbars. One year the water is ten feet deep in a specific channel; the next year, you’ll bottom out your prop in eighteen inches of silt. If you're bringing a boat, talk to the guys at the resort store first. They know where the river shifted during the last high-flow release from the Parker Dam.
The Mountain Version: Lost Lake in the Lakes Basin
Now, if you hate the heat, you’re likely looking for the Lost Lake in Northern California. This one is near the Sierra Buttes, specifically within the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. This is the "Instagrammable" one, though it takes a lot more sweat to get there than the desert version.
👉 See also: Taj Mahal When Built: The Real Timeline Most People Get Wrong
The trailhead usually starts near Gold Lake or Sardine Lake.
The hike is short—maybe two miles round trip depending on where you park—but it’s steep enough to make you regret that extra slice of pizza. You’re looking at an elevation of roughly 6,500 feet. The water is crystal clear. Because it’s a cirque lake (formed by glaciers), it’s deep and surrounded by massive talus slopes.
The wind usually howls through the gap in the mountains here. Even on a 90-degree day in the valley, Lost Lake will feel brisk. The fishing is mostly small brook trout. They aren't huge, but they're hungry.
Why the High Sierra Lost Lake is better (and worse)
It’s crowded. Well, "crowded" by mountain standards. Because it’s relatively accessible compared to the deep backcountry of the Desolation Wilderness, you’ll see families and day-hikers.
The real secret?
Most people stop at Lost Lake and head back. If you keep pushing uphill toward the Sierra Buttes Lookout, you get a bird’s eye view of the entire basin. From the top, you can see why they named it Lost Lake—it’s tucked so tightly into the folds of the granite that you can’t see it from the main road at all.
The "Other" Lost Lakes (The Ones You'll Forget)
California also has a Lost Lake in Fresno County, inside a regional park. It’s right below Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River.
It’s fine.
It’s a park. There are picnic tables. There are playgrounds. If you are looking for a rugged wilderness experience, this is absolutely not it. This is where you go for a family BBQ on a Tuesday. It’s "lost" because the river used to overflow into this basin, creating a permanent ponding area, but today it’s a very managed, very manicured recreation site.
Then there’s the one in the Eldorado National Forest. And the one in the Trinity Alps.
The Trinity Alps version is the "hard mode" Lost Lake. It requires a grueling multi-day trek into one of the most rugged parts of the state. If you find yourself looking at a map of the Trinity Alps, make sure you have a bear canister and a sturdy pair of boots. This isn't a casual stroll. It’s a granite fortress.
The Logistics: Don't Get Stranded
California's geography is unforgiving.
If you're headed to the Lost Lake in California near the Colorado River, check your tires. The desert heat eats rubber. I’ve seen more blown-out tires on the road to Blythe than anywhere else in the state. Also, bring more water than you think you need. The humidity off the river makes it feel like a swampy oven.
📖 Related: Buffalo NY to Canada: Why Crossing the Border is Kinda Tricky Right Now
If you're headed to the mountain versions, check the snowpack. In heavy years, the road to the Lakes Basin doesn't even open until late June or early July. I’ve seen people try to hike to Lost Lake in May only to find six feet of slushy "onion skin" snow covering the trail. You'll post-hole up to your waist and have a miserable time.
A Quick Reality Check on "Secret" Spots
None of these lakes are truly secret anymore. Thanks to satellite imagery and social media, the "Lost" part of the name is purely historical.
- Permits: Most mountain sites require a campfire permit even for a small backpacking stove. Get one online from CalFire; it takes two minutes and saves you a massive fine.
- Waste: Pack it out. Especially at the Lakes Basin site. The ecosystem is fragile, and the soil doesn't break down waste quickly at that altitude.
- Dogs: The desert resort is pretty dog-friendly (keep them on a leash because of coyotes). The mountain trails are great for dogs, but the granite can be brutal on their paws if they aren't used to it.
How to Choose the Right One
Look at your gear.
If you have a cooler full of cold drinks, a motorized boat, and a desire to tan, head to the Colorado River. It’s a desert party. It’s loud, it’s social, and it’s a classic California "river rat" experience.
If you have a pair of boots, a fly rod, and a camera, head to the Lakes Basin in the north. It’s quiet. It’s beautiful. It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear the wind in the pines.
If you're in the Central Valley and just want to let the kids run around for two hours, go to the Fresno County park.
Just please, for the love of all things holy, check the GPS coordinates before you put the car in gear. You don't want to realize you're at the Mexican border when you meant to be near the Oregon one.
Actionable Steps for Your Lost Lake Trip
- Verify the County: Before setting your GPS, confirm if you are going to Riverside (Desert), Sierra (High Mountains), or Fresno (Regional Park).
- Check Water Levels: For the Colorado River location, check the Bureau of Reclamation’s daily water release schedules for the Parker Dam. Low water means dangerous boating.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service is non-existent at the Sierra and Colorado River locations. Use OnX or Gaia GPS to download the tiles for the area before you leave home.
- Arrive Early: The Lakes Basin parking lots fill up by 9:00 AM on summer Saturdays. If you aren't there early, you'll be parking a mile down the road.
- Buy a Pass: If you're hitting the mountain lakes, have a stash of $5 and $10 bills for the "iron ranger" fee tubes found at many trailheads.