Summary
- The Angora Lakes offer a beautiful and picturesque alternative to Lake Tahoe, with stunning views of evergreens and granite cliffs.
- Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, including the Angora Ridge Trail, and swimming in the cool, clear waters of the lakes.
- The Angora Lakes provide a quieter and more serene experience compared to the crowded areas around Lake Tahoe, making it a hidden gem for eco-friendly travelers.
Summer may be winding down, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy one of the many lake vacations in the US. With over 100,000 named lakes in the lower 48, travelers have their pick of freshwater shores to explore. While it may be tempting to run right to popular destinations like Lake Tahoe (or one of the many beautiful towns around it), there are plenty of lesser-known destinations to enjoy.
The two Angora Lakes, just half an hour from bustling South Lake Tahoe, offer many of the same opportunities as its super-sized neighbor. From fishing to hiking to lounging on the beach, there are nearly endless reasons to visit the Angora Lakes before the year is over.
Dreaming of a lakeside getaway? Each reason to visit the Angora Lakes is accompanied by a top-rated hotel recommendation. Be sure to look out for special "shoulder season" (off-season) discounts that are common during Fall.
10 The Angora Lakes Are Just As Beautiful As Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful West Coast destination that definitely lives up to its hype, but it's far from the only scenic snow-melt lake hiding in the Sierra Nevadas. Like Tahoe, the Angora Lakes are surrounded by evergreens, creating a picturesque backdrop for a day on the lake.
Carved by ancient glaciers, the Angora Lakes are fed by the same snow melt that feeds the famously blue Lake Tahoe.
In addition to the clear waters and towering trees, the beauty of the Angora Lakes is further emphasized by the steep granite cliffs that surround the upper lake. Upper Angora Lake is framed by granite on two sides, with one of the cliffs rising 60 feet above the lake, standing in stark contrast from the calm waters and creating truly unique views for its visitors.
- Accommodation: Fallen Leaf Lake is Widely Considered the Most Scenic Place around Lake Tahoe
- Amenities: Kitchen, Towels, Fireplace, Microwave
9 The Angora Lakes Are Surrounded By Scenic Hiking Trails
One of the most popular things to do in Lake Tahoe is enjoy the variety of hikes to scenic views. Thankfully, for those detouring to the Angora Lakes, those scenic hikes are just as accessible. In fact, to reach the lakes at all requires a little bit of a hike, as visitors cannot drive right to the Angora Lakes. The 1.4-mile walk from the parking lot to the lakes is generally considered easy and suitable for all ability levels.
Those looking for a little more of a challenge have plenty of options. The Angora Ridge Trail is a popular trail for both hikers and mountain bikes and spans nearly 5 miles of scenic Angora Lake and Lake Tahoe overlooks. Other nearby hikes, like the strenuous 10-mile ascent of Mt. Tallac, are a great option for those whose day by the lake includes a truly breathtaking mountain-top view.
Popular Angora Lake Hike: Angora Ridge Trail
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Duration: ~2.5 hours
- Accommodation: The Cherry Leaf Lodge & Retreat on Fallen Leaf Lake
- Amenities: Lake view, Mountain view, Kitchen, Washing machine
8 The Angora Lakes Are Ideal For Swimming
There is no doubt that swimming is one of the most popular activities on Lake Tahoe. Since the same snow melt feeds not only it but the surrounding lakes as well, guests looking for a quieter swimming hole can jump right into one of the Angora Lakes.
The crisp, clear water is generally cool, even during the peak summer months. As Fall weather begins to set in, visitors can expect the water to be between the mid-50s and mid-60s, depending on the amount of sunshine the area is enjoying.
Of the two main Angora Lakes, Lower Angora Lake is the more popular swimming destination, with several designated swimming areas and a number of natural shoreline coves.
- Accommodation: Relaxing Tahoe Home Retreat
- Amenities: Kitchen, Terrace/Patio, Washing machine, Fireplace
7 The Angora Lake Shores Are Easily Accessible Via A Short Hike
While the Angora lakeshores are not riddled with the resorts and amenities of nearby Lake Tahoe, reaching these relatively remote lakes is easier than expected.
A large parking area is available at the head of the Angora Lake Trail. The trail itself runs approximately 0.7 miles from the parking area to the lake and gains approximately 250 feet in elevation, making it doable for most travelers.
The short distance of this hike to the lake shore also makes it realistic for travelers to bring their favorite water gear along, including kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing gear.
About the Angora Lake Trail
- Distance: 0.7 miles one-way (1.4 miles round trip)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: ~20 minutes (one way)
- Accommodation: Luxury Custom Home w/ Views, Game Room, Jacuzzi, Close to Hiking
- Amenities: Sauna, Kitchen, Game room, Terrace/Patio
6 The Angora Lakes Are Stocked For A Perfect Fishing Trip
The US is home to several of the best fishing destinations in the world, and while the Angora Lakes may not quite rank with the icy waters of Alaska, it is still one of the best places to go fishing in the Sierra Nevadas.
Rainbow trout are native to many of the lakes in the Sierra Nevadas, including both the Upper and Lower Angora Lakes. To help these relatively small bodies of water keep up with the popularity of fishing in the area, the lakes are also stocked ahead of the fishing season.
Fishing Season at The Angora
- Fishing Permitted: Year-Round
- Best Season For Fishing: May-October
- Best Time For Fishing: around Dawn or Dusk
- Accommodation: 2 Bed, 1 Bath, in law unit
- Amenities: Kitchen, Washing machine, Towels, Fireplace
5 Angora Lakes Are A Winter Wonderland
Can’t make it to the Angora Lakes before the snow arrives? This mountain destination has plenty to offer, even when a dip in the water is out of the question. The snowy mountain region around the lake is perfect for snowshoeing, back-country skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and sledding.
On the lake, visitors can continue the hunt for the perfect rainbow trout by ice fishing (always checking for safe ice conditions first) or capture some truly breathtaking photographs of the snow-covered trees around the frozen lake.
- Popular Winter Activities On And Around The Angora Lakes: Snowshoeing, Back-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Cross-Country Skiing, Sledding, Snow Play
- Accommodation: Bright South Lake Home Close To Fallen Leaf Lake, 15 Min To Heavenly casinos
- Amenities: Balcony, Coffee machine, Fireplace, Grill, Dishwasher
Weather-related road closures are common around the Tahoe and Angora Lakes area. Always check with local postings for relevant weather and traffic information before enjoying a winter day on the Angora Lakes.
4 The Angora Lakes Are Popular For Wildlife Watching
Tourists are rarely the only ones enjoying the beauty of the Angora Lakes. The clear waters and abundant trees make the region a haven for a variety of wildlife, many of which can be spotted along the hiking trails or even from a kayak out on the water.
Small mammals, like squirrels and chipmunks, are almost guaranteed to make an appearance, as long as the frost hasn’t arrived. Larger animals, like mule deer, are also common in the wooded areas around the lake and can often be spotted early in the morning before the crowds move in.
Birds are particularly plentiful around the Angora Lakes, and observant visitors can expect to see mountain bluebirds, chickadees, and perhaps even some burrowing owls on the right day.
- Common Wildlife In And Around The Angora Lakes: Squirrels, Chipmunks, Mule Deer, Chickadees, Bluebirds, Burrowing Owls, Bats, Marmots, Rainbow Trout
- Accommodation: Elk Forest Escape
- Amenities: Kitchen, Terrace/Patio, Washing machine, Fireplace, Coffee machine
3 The Angora Lakes Represent A Significant Part Of California's Pioneer History
The crystal clear mountain water of the Angora Lakes is a joy for visitors to explore, but long before they were a tourist destination, the Angora Lakes served a very different purpose. As pioneers and early settlers began to establish towns in the Sierra Nevadas, they needed clean, reliable water for themselves and their crops.
The Angora Lakes quickly became one of the primary sources of water for these early settlers, providing safe water that was readily available and allowed the region, and particularly South Lake Tahoe, to thrive. Today, even the most casual visitors to Angora Lakes can enjoy knowing they are floating on the same bodies of water that help those before them survive.
- Accommodation: New-build Chalet With Mountain Views & Hot Tub - 3 Bedroom Home
- Amenities: Kitchen, Balcony, Coffee machine, Washing machine
2 The Angora Lakes Are A Great Eco-Tourism Destination
Travel destinations are generally chosen based on what is fun and affordable, and offers the kinds of activities that are seasonally appropriate. One of the less exciting factors to consider when choosing a travel spot is how eco-friendly the area is. In a time when a number of tourist destinations around the world are suffering from over-tourism and should be avoided, finding eco-friendly alternatives is a great way to feel good about one’s travel plans.
The Angora Lakes are a prime example of one of the beautiful eco-friendly travel destinations in the US. With a number of restoration projects and protection measures in place for both the plant and animal life that calls this region home, visitors to the lake can feel good knowing their fees ensure the Angora Lakes are a great place to visit for years to come.
- Eco-Friendly Measures In The Angora Lakes Region: Watershed Protection Measures, Trail Maintenance To Minimize Erosion, Native Plant Restoration Projects, Government Partnerships, Wildlife Protection Measures
- Accommodation: Mountain-View Eden
- Amenities: Kitchen, Washing machine, Coffee machine, Coffee machine
Want to learn more about the eco-friendly projects going on around the Angora Lakes? The Tahoe Resource Conservation District, which is actively involved in many of the projects, offers a rundown of the conservation efforts going on in the area.
1 The Angora Lakes Are Quieter Than Nearby Lake Tahoe
Perhaps the most common reason travelers choose to visit the Angora Lakes is to get away from the high-traffic areas around Lake Tahoe. While even the easiest worthwhile hikes around Lake Tahoe are often crammed with visitors, the Angora Lakes and their rocky shores are relatively quiet by comparison.
Deterred by the distance away from Tahoe itself and the need to hike to the lakes, Angora remains a bit of a hidden gem in this part of the mountains. Since a hike is required to reach the lakes, visitors can also enjoy the absence of motorized boats creating wakes and adding noise to these relatively small, serene bodies of water.
- Permitted Activities On/Around the Angora Lakes: Hiking, Swimming, Fishing, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Canoeing
- Accommodation: Family-friendly home in a quiet location with a w/private sauna, wi-fi, and wood stove
- Amenities: Kitchen, Coffee machine, Grill, Fireplace