Highland Lakes

Area Status: Open

Lake with wide beach and trees and mountains in background

Lake with grass in foreground and trees and mountains in background

Meadow with trees and mountain peak in background

Mountain peak towering above lower Highland Lake with meadow in foreground

Closeup view of lower Highland Lake surrounded by meadow with trees and mountains in background

Distant view of lower Highland Lake surrounded by meadow with trees and mountains in background

View down into canyon with trees and mountains in background

Creek cascading down steep, rocky canyon into bushes below with plants in foreground

This page is for the Highland Lakes area; visit the Highland Lakes Campground page to view campground status.

The lakes are set in a spectacular high alpine valley, close to the top of Ebbetts Pass at an elevation of 8,600 feet. These two lakes are unique in that they are headwaters for two different watersheds: the eastern lake flows into the Mokelumne River drainage, while the western lake flows into the Stanislaus River drainage. Maximum boat speed on both lakes is 5 mph, and gas powered motors are discouraged. Highland Lakes visitors enjoy camping, hiking and horseback riding.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Calaveras Ranger District (HWY 4)
Fees:	No fee for day use. Fee for camping.
Best Season:	Summer and Fall
Busiest Season:	Summer
Water:	Potable water at campground in summer season only; hand pump
Restroom:	Vault toilet at campground
Operated By:	US Forest Service

General Information

General Notes:

No garbage service or dumpster; Pack it in, Pack it out.

Three trailheads are in the area. The Garder Meadow Trailhead is above the upper lake, on Road 8N01C (left turn just before the first lake when heading into the lakes basin). The Highland Creek Trailhead is at the end of Highland Lakes Road (8N01), adjacent to the lower lake. The Tryon Meadow Trailhead is about a mile north of the lakes on Highland Lakes Road. All of theses trails lead into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness.

Directions:

Highland Lakes are located at the end of Highland Lakes Road, five miles off Highway 4. Highland Lakes Road is a narrow, steep and winding dirt route where safe travel speeds average 20 mph or less.