Shaver Lake

Shaver Lake is a Sierra Nevada mountain destination located in Fresno County, California. The scenic reservoir and mountain town sits along Highway 168, making it an easy drive from Fresno, Clovis, and the broader San Joaquin Valley. Visitors from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara make the trip regularly, drawn in by clean mountain air, the promise of a genuine outdoor escape, and the challenge of tackling nearby Bald Mountain.

The lake itself covers 2,200 acres, has 22 miles of shoreline, and reaches an elevation of 5,500 feet. Southern California Edison owns and operates the lake as part of the Big Creek hydroelectric project, which dates back to 1927. The Central Sierra Historical Society, housed in the Museum of the Sierra near Camp Edison, tells that story well and is worth a visit during your stay.

Surrounded by dense pine forests and granite boulders, Shaver Lake is the perfect mountain getaway at any time of the year. Summer brings out Shaver Lake’s full range of water activities, with two major marinas serving as hubs for rentals to get you out on the water. Choose from boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon, and swimming.

If staying on land is more your pace, hiking trails range from the easy two-mile Rancheria Falls walk to the demanding Kaiser Peak summit, a ten-mile round trip with views that make the climb worthwhile. In winter, nearby China Peak Resort offers skiing and snowboarding, while snowshoeing trails wind through quiet, snow-covered forest.

Notably, Shaver Lake is a top fishing destination throughout the year. It is renowned as a high-elevation angling spot, recognized for its kokanee salmon as well as rainbow trout populations. Shore fishing, as well as reaching quieter waters by boat, will keep any fisherfolk in your crew content.

For a relaxing alpine adventure in the Sierras, Shaver Lake provides year-round adventure and crisp mountain air for all to enjoy.