Alpine lake surrounded by pine forests and granite peaks, offering recreational access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic vistas in a high-elevation basin.
General Information
Best visited during daylight for safety and visibility
How to Get There
From Lone Pine, CA (107 mi): Drive north on US-395 for approximately 90 miles, then turn west onto CA-168 and follow South Lake Road to the trailhead and lake access.
Overview
The South Lake area near Bishop, California, is a gateway to the Eastern Sierra’s most breathtaking alpine scenery. Nestled at over 9,800 feet in elevation, the lake serves as a trailhead for popular hikes into the John Muir Wilderness, including routes to Bishop Pass and the scenic lakes of the high country. The lake itself is a reservoir, surrounded by granite cliffs and dense pine forests, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and photography. In summer, wildflowers bloom along the trails, and the clear mountain air makes for invigorating outdoor adventures.
Historically, the region was inhabited by the Paiute people, who traversed these mountains long before the arrival of settlers. Today, South Lake is a beloved destination for hikers, anglers, and nature lovers seeking solitude and grandeur. The lake’s proximity to Bishop makes it accessible yet remote enough to feel like a true wilderness escape. Whether you're embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip or enjoying a peaceful picnic by the shore, South Lake offers a pristine alpine experience that captures the essence of California’s Sierra Nevada.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the South Lake Tahoe, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.