Secret Sierra
Okay, it's secret-ish. A trip to the Lakes Basin is a little like going back in time … It’s the High Sierra, simplified. Just you and the lakes and the mountains, and no cell phone service! Get to this destination about one hour northwest of Tahoe for some chill lakeside camping, miles of uncrowded hiking trails, and a lookout like no other.
Lookout for This View!
Hike to the Sierra Buttes Lookout in the Lakes Basin, Sierra Nevada
Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!
Read the full storyDuck, Duck, Goose!
Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin, Sierra Nevada
Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.
Read the full storySimply Amazing Road Trip
Road Trip to Klamath Basin in Southern Oregon
Don’t overthink it, just go! Southern Oregon’s Klamath Basin is a hidden gem just north of the California border. This adventurous region makes savoring summer and fall easy with abundant outdoor recreation.
Best Southern Oregon Road TripsAll's Well That's Elwell
Hike to the Summit of Mount Elwell in the Lakes Basin, Sierra Nevada
Mount Elwell's peak offers one of the best views of the northern Sierra. With two different routes to hike, it's 7 to 8 miles (round-trip) to the 7,818-foot peak. And it's a challenge!
Read the full storyThe Long and Short of It
Short Hike to Long Lake in the Lakes Basin, Sierra Nevada
The Lakes Basin is, as you’d expect, packed with lakes. And Long Lake is one of its, well, longest. What’s not long is the hike to it—just 1 mile! This oasis is perfect for lounging.
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