Address: 23333 Scotts Flat Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
Phone: +15302655302
James Hill Real Estate
If you are looking for a place to spend the day and have fun with your children and grandchildren, Scotts Flat Lake is a great place to do it. We visited again 7/24/22 at around 4:00 pm. The crowd factor was low, there is plenty of shade areas to hang out and soak in life. Bring your SUP, (or rent one) kayak and sunscreen and enjoy the scenery. Hike around the lake shore and enjoy the views. Get a camp site if you are so inclined to do so. I'm sure I could find a reason to rate SFL lover than 5 stars but if I did that I feel like I would be nitpicking. This area of California is off the hook with beauty and that's why we go there. Take time to smell the coffee and live in the moment at SFL, you won't be disappointed.
Sarah Norris
The best way I can think to describe Scott's Flat Lake is a smaller, rockier, and less awe-inspiring Lake Tahoe (which probably makes it sound worse than it actually is). The views are beautiful and the water is clean and warm enough to hop right in. Very family friendly, which is great - but also meant space at the "beach" area was a bit cramped, and we were sandwiched between speakers blaring roughly 6 different music genres which made it hard to completely unwind. Also worth noting: bring water shoes/sandals! The floor of the lake is entirely rocks (and very shallow).
Cameron Thomas
We visited in July 2021. First time being there but you could tell the lake was pretty low. Was a pretty decent hike out to the water from the day use parking area. Since the lake is so low there's no shade to speak of near the water so bring your own! Lots of cool rocks to find along the shore but also a good amount of nasty mud next to the water so be careful of that. My son nearly lost his shoe. Looking forward to coming back here after we've had some rain.
Marissa Weingarten (Yo)
This place has some awesome views and a great beach area, also has showers, which is a plus if you tent camp. Sites here are good size and tend to fill up fast, especially for holiday weekends. Downsides are during holidays, it gets pretty noisy until about 1am and even if you have a lakefront site people crowd the beach area early in the day and we had multiple people right in front of our site set up and stay all day. People also walked through our site to get to the beach area, which wasnt too annoying bc our site was pretty big but later on in the day I just wanted to relax which we found difficult with all the people still out. Also, the sites we were at are infested with termites now, I've went here almost every summer for the last 5 years and never seen them before this last weekend but multiple trees had to be cut down, assuming because of termites, and there were more bugs, all kinds of weird ones I've never seen before, and yes I know, we're in the outdoors and that's a given, but we camp a lot and never had an issue like we have here this year, we were literally attacked by bugs all day, with bug repellent sprays, candles and lights up! Another issue was the bathrooms, they used to be well maintained but I noticed this time we were here for 3 days and they didn't seem to get attention once, ran out of supplies and were pretty gross. We stayed at site G4, and I do not recommend it at all! Like I said, views were great, but this site is the last in a loop and very hard to get in and out of with trucks or trailers, unless you have 4wheel/all wheel drive, they recently laid new gravel and we kept getting stuck! This site is also on a steep hill so needless to say, we got a good leg work out after the first day and by the time we left our entire bodies were sore and everyone was more exhausted than anything, so it was hard to enjoy anything for long. It was also hard finding a spot for our tent, we still slept on a bit of a slant on the flattest part! Hope this helps someone looking into staying here.
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There are trails that you can bike. Yes. I do not personally think that they are very good bike trails. There is a better bike trail nearby at the harmony ridge market on route 20.
Sadly it doesn't work there, my mom tried and it didn't work :(
Non lakeside is $40, lakeside $45. Each extra car is $5, two per site. Plenty of overflow parking.
There are restrooms with running water, they flush and have a sink. If you'd like to take a shower you will need to pay. The shower coin machine accepts quarters only. There is a tiny store that has quite a bit of things: matches, fire wood, ice, candy, ice cream, milk, eggs, boxed food and misc. clothing, shoes, water toys, etc. The store can give you cash back and change as well. The bathroom/shower building has electricity outlets. You can use them to inflate mattress, charge cell phone, etc. They might limit use. Also there is water supply near each campsite. I'd recommend taking a water hose or a bucket to carry water for dishes, etc.
On upper scotts flat yes. They have a full boat launch and marina
I believe check in is at 3pm and check out is 11am.
I don't know for sure if they're open this weekend but absolutely no fires or briquettes, propane only it's posted everywhere we were just there last weekend and the showers are closed
Probably rough. The air all around us is smokey. If you have any upper respiratory issues don't go. If you are young and healthy then go.
July 1st they say.
The boat ramp is open 9-7 for locals. They hope to be fully open July 1st..
I live close and I was almost there before I saw the sign that said 4000 feet
Yes. There are camping sites depending on what side of the lake you are on
Yes they are and so are paddle boards
Many of the campsites are a short walk to the water, the ones with lake views are very popular & need reservations. Fishing is free, except for a license. The bait shop near the second campground is very helpful they track and post what people are catching, where and recommending what bait/lures to use.
Comment above shows two different places. When you arrive at the main gate they will also let you know. There is also a map you can find in the website. If you google search the camp grounds.
I dont know where rattlesnake bar is. I went there by way of willow springs off of 49/20
I believe you can but not sure when they close the main gates
They have paddle boats, canoes, aluminum dingies and i think stand up paddle boards. But not many of each. You need to check on rates and availability before making to mich in the way of plans. The rates vary
While day use is one option, there seems to be another road near the gate 2 enyrance (not sure if it is strictly a private road throughout), from which you can access the lake as well and fish...
Yes in designated fire pitsJust be aware of red flag days ..no burn or charcoal cooking allowed
$11 unless they are handicap/disabled then they get thier discount.
I think the largest space is 40 feet
They rent both kayaks and canoes, as well and snall fishing boats from the boat launch. Prices change per season. During the summer they also rent kayaks at the day use area by a 3rd party renter
There are only a few that big, and most are very had to get into and not level
Premium is set next to the lake And is normally $5 extra
It's dry camping and during fall or winter, you may be unable to get there.
Given the recent fires in that area and wanting to go there so late in the fall, I would suggest contacting them directly about availability. There is very limited access to Scotts Flat Lake.
That's a negative. No jet skis, but there are plenty of fast boats on the water.
There is a phone booth but cell signal is bad
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