Kayaking Snag Lake
Paddle to your heart’s content on Snag Lake in the Gold Lakes region – you just might have this spot all to yourself
About Snag Lake
Snag is a playful little lake and you might just have it all to yourself. Fairly unassuming, at first, we felt it was only worth a paddle for those camping on its shores.
My boyfriend and I put our boats in the water and began paddling straight across. On Snag Lake’s mirror-like surface, it was easy to build up speed. We noticed piles of dead trees, fallen along the shoreline.
Why were they there? On this dry, windless day, it was hard to imagine, yet the height of our campgrounds fire ring’s alluded to a brisker season. Today, these stumps and logs were fun to maneuver around and made Snag the perfect place to race a friend. We stopped at the far end of the lake and took a dip in the warmest waters we’ve found all season. And on this mid-July Saturday afternoon, we were the only ones paddling Snag. For hours.
As for wildlife, we shared space with a family of ducks with red mohawks. The 9 youngsters were curious and approachable. While Snag is not the best lake to catch a fresh dinner (we hear it’s not stocked), we loved watching the cascade of hundreds of tiny fish leaping away from our kayaks as we paddled along.
Snag Lake is home to a free, first-come-first-serve campground with more fire rings than we could count and room to improvise any night of the week. If you’re into last minute trips as much as we are, you know what a rare find this is. As is the mood at many free campgrounds, if you hang out on the beach long enough you’re likely to spend your evening sharing campfire stories with new friends.
That more kayakers don’t venture near this area is both a shame and a relief. Come for the solitude, stay for the sunset, and be glad you included this quiet spot on your Gold Lakes itinerary.
Recommendations for Kayaking Snag Lake
Kayak Rentals
Bring your own kayak or SUP to Snag Lake. Rentals are not available.
Snag Lake Camping
Snag’s free first-come-first-serve lakeside campground comes equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. It’s most likely what brought you to this spot. Please treat it well so we can all continue to camp here on our last-minute visits to the Gold Lake region.
Kayaking with Kids
This small lake is just the right size for kids of all ages.
When to Go
The access road is plowed & ready for springtime ventures. In summer, the Gold Lakes region offers a friendly, less-developed change of pace for Tahoe enthusiasts. Consider visiting on holiday weekends.
Build Your Snag Lake Weekend
Paddle Sardine Lake for its unraveled views, Salmon Lake for island picnics, or Gold Lake for that big-lake experience. Round out your visit with a hike to the top of the Sierra Buttes and stop for a bite in Graeagal on your journey home.
What's Next?
Keep paddling California’s small, peaceful lakes with visits to Serene Lake and Watson Lake. Or, take a short paddle to a surprisingly quiet beach – putting in at South Lake Tahoe.