El Dorado County is a treasure trove of natural beauty and a fantastic location for anybody who enjoys spending time outdoors. The area has vast and diversified scenery, ranging from the roaring Sierra mountain ranges to small lakes’ sandy, white beaches. You’ll find some of the most beautiful lakes you’ve ever seen in the midst of it all. While Lake Tahoe is the most well-known body of water in El Dorado County, several lesser-known jewels are hidden among the lush forests and towering mountains that make for fantastic vacations. Continue reading to find out more.
1. Loon Lake
Loon Lake is the place to go if you want natural, calm and serene locations with fewer people. At the height of about 6,500 feet, the Crystal Basin recreation area has this relatively unknown lake. It’s a fantastic location for a fun camping vacation with family and friends. While the lake itself is beautiful, especially at sunrise and sunset, it also includes various camping facilities such as RV campsites and restrooms.
2. Jenkinson Lake
A vacation to El Dorado County would be incomplete without a stop at Jenkinson Lake. If you want to spend a calm and enjoyable day outside in the sun, this is the place to go. The lake is the go-to location for nature and water sport enthusiasts alike because it is located in the middle of the magnificent Eldorado National Forest. If you’re the latter, take a romantic stroll along the nine-mile-long scenic hiking routes, relax with a deep dip in the crystal-blue lake or simply have a romantic lunch by the shore. A few of the activities offered include fishing, swimming, water skiing, kayaking, boating and paddleboarding.
3. Echo Lakes
Echo Lakes are two elongated glacial lakes nestled amid the immense expanses of Desolation Wilderness near Lake Tahoe, under the El Dorado National Forest. They provide unmatched panoramic viewpoints, surrounded by huge lodgepole pines and granite cliffs. You may go for a day trek along one of the numerous routes, but the paths that go along the lake will provide you with more spectacular sights. Echo Lakes is a 15- to 20-minute trip from South Lake Tahoe and a 45-minute drive from Placerville.