Blue Lakes (Alpine County)
- Status
- Seasonal; usually early summer to mid-October
- Owner
- PG&E
- Ramps
- Unimproved, Upper and Lower lakes
- Boats
- Small boats
- Boat launch
- Fishing
- Camping
- Restrooms
About this lake
Status: seasonal. Blue Lakes Road opens after the snow is plowed in early summer, and the lakes are usually open until mid-October, depending on snow.
Upper and Lower Blue Lakes are PG&E reservoirs about 12 to 15 miles south of Highway 88 at Hope Valley, reached by Blue Lakes Road.
On the water
Both lakes have unimproved boat ramps, and small boats are allowed. The state boating directory lists the Lower Blue Lake ramp at 12000 Blue Lakes Road with about 25 trailer spaces.
Camping
PG&E runs five campgrounds: Lower Blue Lake (16 sites), Middle Creek, Upper Blue Lake, Upper Blue Lake Dam and an expansion area, at $25 to $27 a night. All have vault toilets, piped water and bear boxes. In 2026, reservations opened in April, with some first-come sites.
Mussel rules
The Forest Service asks boaters to arrive clean, drained and dry.
Getting there & access
Getting there
From Highway 88 at Hope Valley take Blue Lakes Road south about 12 to 15 miles.
Season
The road opens once it's plowed in early summer; check PG&E before going late in the year.
Golden mussels
The Forest Service asks every boater to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and gear and to check the lake's launching rules before visiting. California also requires a Mussel Fee Sticker on motorized boats used in fresh water.
- Camping
- 5 PG&E campgrounds, $25-27/night
- Ramp phone
- (209) 295-4251
What's here
Launch
Unimproved ramps at Upper and Lower Blue Lakes
Fishing
Trout fishing
Camping
Five PG&E campgrounds
Restrooms
Vault toilets at the campgrounds
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Small boats are allowed; ramps are unimproved; the lakes are usually open early summer to mid-Octobercarsonpass.com ↗
- The Forest Service asks boaters to clean, drain and dry boats and gear and to contact each lake's managing agency for its launching and inspection rules before visiting; it lists no inspection station for this lakefs.usda.gov ↗
- A current California Mussel Fee sticker is required on motorized watercraft operated in fresh waterwildlife.ca.gov ↗
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