Forget Lake Tahoe, Visit California's Serene Crystal-Blue Escape With Swim Beach Beauty, Camping, And Fishing

The phrase "off the beaten path" has been overused when describing destinations, to the point of being rendered almost meaningless. Most paths have been beaten soundly. Better to say "on a slightly less treaded path", which can be used to describe California's Little Grass Valley Reservoir. The crystal-blue escape offers beautiful swimming beaches, camping, and fishing that'll make first-time visitors forget Lake Tahoe even exists.

Resting on the Feather River in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains and within the Plumas National Forest, Little Grass Valley Reservoir emerged after the creation of the Little Grass Valley Dam, using snowmelt for hydropower and a local water supply. Surrounded by pine trees, the crystal-clear blue waters and accompanying recreation area offer a time portal to a pre-industrial landscape, when gold rush fanatics made frantic attempts to strike it rich in the nearby towns of La Porte and Clipper Mills. The 5,000-foot altitude also gives it a unique climate. "It is usually 10-20 degrees cooler up here compared to down the mountain, which makes the water nice and refreshing," one visitor wrote in a review on Yelp.

The resulting year-round destination is a favorite for outdoorsy types living within driving distance. "Little Grass Valley is awesome in the summer and just as great in the winter," a frequent visitor wrote on Google, lauding the fishing, trails, and nearby businesses. "Great place to spend some time and unwind." The reservoir's wide range of activities makes it a plausible daytrip destination (the reservoir is over two hours from both Sacramento and Reno), though ideally, visitors would shack up in a tent and stay a while longer to get the full effect. "The lake is so blue and clear," one visitor wrote on Google. "It is peaceful to sit and watch the water ripple in and out."

The crystal clear waters of the reservoir betray a bustling life below the surface. Anglers should come equipped. Smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, and catfish all call the water home. Yet it's the frequently restocked trout that draws most fishing fiends, with brown trout serving as the trophy catch, crossing the double-digit weight threshold. You can try to reel in the smallmouth bass from rocky areas. Or better yet, get on the water to access more of it. If you're lucky enough to own a vessel and live within driving distance, put that thing on a trailer and head over to one of Little Grass Valley's three boat launches. Just be sure to plan ahead and check the Forest Service website to see if there are any current horsepower restrictions or seasonal closures. Alternatively, you can leave the rod and reel at home and simply paddle across the surface in a kayak or exploit a windy day to sail.

If you'd rather stick to dry land, the Little Grass Valley Reservoir offers a 13-mile trail circling the lake, open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. You can make the journey even longer by connecting to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, one of the longest hikes in America. A trek to the top of nearby Grass Valley Bald Mountain, about 4.5 miles in total, should lure avid hikers seeking a picturesque view of the lake. Bring binoculars and keep your eyes peeled — bald eagles, beavers, black bears, deer, and marmots live in the surrounding area.

At the end of your trek, you can cool off at one of the recreation area's two beaches, one at the Little Beaver Campground, the other at the Peninsula Tent Campground. Just note that the rocky shore will require water shoes, and the water can be a bit shallow at times. The beaches are also great to have around if you spend the night at the reservoir, as they give you a refreshing way to kickstart your morning routine.

Despite its long list of potential fun, the Little Grass Valley Reservoir doesn't merit booking a flight by itself. There's plenty nearby to see, though — so you could easily rope it in with a larger adventure through the region. For example, the Plumas National Forest, in which the reservoir sits, is a wildly underrated destination with recreation that, like the reservoir, rivals Lake Tahoe. And for a double dose of aquatic fun, head over to the Plumas National Forest's eastern end and add Frenchman Lake to your itinerary. Its cliffs, camping, and fishing in the northern Sierra Nevada offer an adrenaline-packed variation on Little Grass Valley Reservoir.

Finding a place to rest at night shouldn't be difficult, especially if you don't mind sleeping under the stars. The reservoir has eight family campgrounds with 323 sites available. Their mix of trailer and tent sites awaits overnighters ready to rough it just a little. Frequent visitors have lauded the sites' waterfront location and the clean facilities. If you're spending the night, be sure to properly dispose of food and store leftovers, as curious bears have been known to roam the grounds. Be sure you also know how to choose the right "bear bag" for safer camping.  

The reservoir's recreation area is generally most used between the middle of June and autumn, with summers reaching an acceptable mid-80s temperature, though a passing thunderstorm can change the weather quickly. That doesn't mean you can't go on a snowmobile excursion during the winter if you want. Be sure also to load up any maps and bring a paper copy if you can, as cell service is spotty. Sunscreen is a good idea as well.