Loon Lake, Eldorado National Forest

Name: Loon Lake
Address: Eldorado National Forest, United States

#4 among attractions in Eldorado National Forest

Nature, Natural attraction, Top attraction, Lake

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Facts and practical information

Loon Lake is a reservoir in the Eldorado National Forest of El Dorado County, California, United States. The 76,200 acre⋅ft lake is formed by Loon Lake Dam, completed in 1963 as part of the Upper American River Project by Sacramento Municipal Utility District to conserve spring snow melt runoff for use during the summer and autumn for hydroelectric power production. Loon Lake Dam impounds water at the headwaters of Gerle Creek which, prior to the dam, flowed intermittently through Loon and Pleasant Lakes. But most of the water now stored in Loon Lake arrives from Buck Island Reservoir in the adjacent Rubicon River watershed by way of the Buck-Loon Tunnel. Nearby is Loon Lake Chalet, a popular winter recreation destination. In summer, a boat ramp for water sports and camping are available, but the area is less popular than nearby Union Valley Reservoir and Rubicon Trail. ()

Length: 3.5 miElevation: 6381 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 38°59'50"N, 120°18'36"W

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Eldorado National Forest United States

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Day trips

Loon Lake – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Hell Hole Reservoir, Silver Peak, Francis Lake, Tells Peak.

7 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Hell Hole Reservoir, Eldorado National Forest
180 min walk • Hell Hole reservoir is an artificial, crescent-shaped lake in the Sierra Nevada mountain range 10 miles west of Lake Tahoe in California, United States. The lake is about 3.5 miles long when at full capacity.
6.1 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Silver Peak, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
156 min walk • Silver Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at the north end of the Crystal Mountains, to the east of Lake Tahoe. It is located in the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California.
1.6 miW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Francis Lake, Eldorado National Forest
42 min walk • Francis Lake is a small backcountry lake in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, to the west of Lake Tahoe in the Eldorado National Forest. There are no trails to this lake. This lake is very near Loon Lake.
4 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Tells Peak, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
101 min walk • Tells Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada at the very north end of the Crystal Range, to the west of Lake Tahoe. It is located in the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California. The origin of the name is not certain.
4.9 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
McConnell Peak, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
126 min walk • McConnell Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at the north end of the Crystal Mountains, to the west of Lake Tahoe. It is located in the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California.
6.9 miSE
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Red Peak, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
176 min walk • Red Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at the north end of the Crystal Range, to the west of Lake Tahoe. It is located in the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California.