Lower Bear River Reservoir
The 727-acre Lower Bear River Reservoir a few miles off Highway 88 and 40 miles east of Jackson. Fishing, water skiing, and boating are all popular at Lower Bear River Reservoir. The lake is easy to access for day outings or overnight stays. At 5,800 feet, the reservoir is free of snow before any of the other major lakes higher on Carson Pass.
The reservoir is owned by PG&E. Besides the Bear River Lake Resort and several National Forest campgrounds, the lake is home to Camp Winton, a summer Boy Scout Camp, and Camp Ritchie, a summer camp operated the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upper Bear River Reservoir can only be reached by trail. The mile-long lake is at an elevation of 5,876 feet.
Day Hikes at Lower Bear River Reservoir
Upper Bear River Reservoir
Drive out the dirt road toward the upper reservoir and then hike the final mile down to the lake's edge. The trail drops 200 feet. The upper lake is about a mile long and covers 166 surface acres.
Devils Lake
Drive out the road on the east side of the reservoir to Deer Valley. There turn north on the Devils Lake dirt road, following it for 1.3 miles. Park there and continue on the trail to the lake, a 1.6 mile hike, climbing 500 feet. The tree-lined shorelines make great places for picnics. Fishing in the lake is good for brook trout.
Shriner Lake
Shriner Lake's trailhead is a bit of a convoluted drive on dirt roads south of Lower Bear River Reservoir, but the hike itself is only 2 miles, gaining 500 feet in elevation. The scenic lake has great fishing for rainbow trout, and there are good campsites along the southwest shore. Since it is in the Caron-Iceberg Wilderness, you will need a wilderness permit if you plan to stay overnight. At the Ranger Station in Pioneer pick up the Travel Opportunity Guide, a free map with great details of offroad routes, back country roads, and trails. It shows the road to the trailhead via Cole Creek.
Bear River Lake Resort
40800 Highway 88, Pioneer, CA
(209) 295-4868
Bear River Lake Resort
Day Use Rates: (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM) Launch $10, Beach and Picnic Area $5
Resort Amenities
- Restaurant and bar, store, beach
- Campground and cabin rentals, dump station, showers, laundromat, playground
- Marina with boat rentals, launch ramp, gas, and berthing.
Bear River Lake Boat Rentals
- Fishing boat with motor and gas
- Canoe or Paddle Boat
- Kayals, single or tandem
Campgrounds & Lodging
All campsites include power, water, picnic tables, fire fits, flush toilet bathrooms, showers.
Cabins sleep 4, with bedroom and living room, linens and blankets provided, full baths, kitchens.
Lower Bear River Reservoir Campgrounds
South Shore Campground
- 22 camp sites for tents, trailers and RVs up to 40 feet
- Vault toilets, piped water, picnic tables, grills, fire rings
- Boating, fishing, swimming at Lower Bear River Reservoir
Reservations: (877) 444-6777 or Recreation.gov - South Shore Campground
Fees: $28 per night for 6 people and 2 vehicles
South Shore Campground Map
Pardoes Point Campground
- 10 camp sites for tents
- Vault toilets, piped water, picnic tables, grills, fire rings
- Swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking, car-top boat launch
Reservations: None
Fees: $28 per night for 6 people and 2 vehicles
Pardoes Point Campground Map
Sugar Pine Point Campground
- 8 camp sites for tents
- Vault toilets, no water, picnic tables, fire rings
- Swimming, fishing, picnicking
Reservations: None
Fees: $25 per night for 6 people and 2 vehicles
Sugar Pine Point Campground Map
Bear River Group Campground
- 4 group camp sites: Kokanee holds 50 people and Junco, Chipmunk, and Smokey each hold 25
- Vault toilets, piped water, picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bear boxes
- Swimming, fishing, picnicking, hiking
Reservations: Required. (877) 444-6777 or
Recreation.gov - Bear River Group Campground
Fees: $145 for Kokanee (1-50 people), $115 for each of the other sites (3-25 people)
Bear River Group Campground Map