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Hell Hole Reservoir

Lake·Foresthill·Inland lakes·No reviews yet
Type
Remote reservoir (PCWA)
Size
1,253 acres
Elevation
About 4,630 ft
Fish
Brown and rainbow trout, mackinaw, kokanee
Hell Hole Reservoir
Hell Hole Reservoir
Hell Hole Reservoir
1 / 4
  • Boat launch
  • Fishing
  • Camping

About this lake

Hell Hole Reservoir is a remote Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) lake on the Rubicon River at about 4,630 feet, covering 1,253 acres among rock outcrops.

On the water

The reservoir has an easy-to-reach boat ramp and parking area. It's deep and holds brown and rainbow trout, mackinaw and kokanee; the state stocks it each year. The Forest Service asks boaters to clean, drain and dry and to check launching rules before visiting.

Camping

Hell Hole Campground is about a mile from the reservoir and Big Meadows about 4 miles; Middle Meadows is a group camp. Upper Hell Hole is a hike-in camp, about 5 miles. The area is usually open from Memorial Day weekend through early October and is snowbound in winter.

Off-road

The 4-mile Hell Hole Trail, rated difficult, runs from Tahoma via the Rubicon or from Foresthill.

Getting there & access

Season

Usually open Memorial Day weekend through early October; snowbound in winter.

Golden mussels

The Forest Service asks every boater to clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and gear, never drain bilge or ballast into the lake, and check the lake's launching rules before visiting. California also requires a Mussel Fee Sticker on motorized boats used in fresh water.

Season
Memorial Day weekend to early October
PCWA
(530) 823-4850

What's here

  • Launch

    Boat ramp and parking area

  • Fishing

    Brown and rainbow trout, mackinaw and kokanee

  • Camping

    Hell Hole, Big Meadows and Middle Meadows campgrounds

  • Trails

    Hell Hole OHV trail

Rules & official resources

  • California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
  • 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 ↗

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Questions boaters ask

Yes, with a parking area.

Brown and rainbow trout, mackinaw and kokanee.

Usually Memorial Day weekend through early October; it's snowbound in winter.

No inspection station is listed for this lake. The Forest Service asks boaters to clean, drain and dry and to check launching rules before visiting.
Sources: pcwa.net · pcwa.net · fs.usda.gov · Last checked Oct 13, 2026 ·
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