California's Underrated Campground Is A Secluded Sierra Nevada Gem For Alpine Lake Views, Fishing, And Hiking

Camping up in the mountains with views overlooking pristine lakes, thick forests, and lush meadows is always a worthwhile experience, especially when you've found a place that's not well known and is far from the crowds and cities. Grouse Ridge Campground is exactly this, with abundant fishing, gorgeous trails, and views of deep blue waters all around you as you camp at an elevation of 7,400 feet in the sublime Tahoe National Forest.

This secluded campground in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a quiet gem, remote enough that the bumpy route there often requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle to access it. For those who can make it, the visual reward is worth it, as a Google reviewer confirms, saying, "The road to get up the 6-mile road is very rocky and unpaved but other than that the views were superb and campgrounds were clean!" The road and remoteness help keep this hidden treasure uncrowded, making it less popular than many other sites.

The campground's season runs from Memorial Day to mid-October, and camping is absolutely free. Campflare claims that the nine primitive sites have fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes, and a single vault toilet serves the campground. As this unsung site is out of the way, please be sure to take out all that you bring in — be prepared, as there is no piped water.

Grouse Ridge Campground is surrounded by a variety of water bodies, including Milk, Sanford, and Round lakes. While they may remain unappreciated by most, those who venture to these alpine pools will not only get stunning views but will also get to enjoy some of the most serene fishing spots one could hope for. Although the fishing at the nation's oldest lake, Lake Tahoe, is great, the crowds can be a bit much. Before starting your trip, don't forget your fishing license.

While most of these lovely alpine lakes may not have boat ramps or amenities due to their seclusion, they do make for wonderful trout fishing. Shore fishing would be best as it would be difficult to lug a kayak to these lakes. Sanford and Milk lakes are accessible from the campground by moderate hikes under an hour. After catching a few trout, trek back to the campground and cook them over the fire while enjoying a sky filled with stars for a satisfying, self-caught meal at a largely unnoticed mountaintop campground.

You can access several of the lakes along the numerous hiking trails that surround the Grouse Ridge Campground. The moderately difficult Glacier Lakes Trail starts just north of the campground and follows the ridgeline east for about 7.5 miles, out and back, with spectacular valley and lake views along the way. An AllTrails reviewer says, "Beautiful day on Glacier Lake Trail! Perfect weather, nice breeze, no other people, amazing views!"

A more strenuous, yet exceptionally scenic hike is the 10-mile Grouse Ridge Trail, encompassing the Grouse Ridge Lakes region. It connects to several other trails, including the Round Lake Loop Trail, which traverses the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, close to the High Sierra mountain town of Graeagle. The Grouse Ridge Trail ends at Sawmill Lake to the north, where you can get more fishing in. A hiker on Google praises the scenery, saying it is a "Beautiful trail with views and access to lakes, and wildflowers in bloom."

If you're looking for a quick out-and-back hike, the Sanford Lake from Grouse Ridge Campground Trail is a little over a mile, and you can take your time fishing, enjoying the gorgeous surroundings, and relaxing at the lake that's just a short way back to your tent. After camping at this underrated site, get in a refreshing swim at the ethereal Emerald Pools near Lake Tahoe, just over a half-hour drive south.