Lake Valley Trailhead

Facility · California ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Raymond Peak Roadless Area (Roadlessarea Rule (2001)) · Open Access

8,742 ft
Elevation

This trailhead provides access to Lake Valley and Camp Irene. It is 5.1 miles to Camp Irene. Very steep trail with many slopes and switchbacks. Mokelumne River access/pools. No water until you reach the river. No cows. In Mokelumne Wilderness.

Trailhead is accessible for highway-legal 4x4 high clearance vehicles only, very rough road (not all wheel drive accessible). Parking for non-4x4 vehicles is available at Round Valley SNO-PARK.

Elevation: 7548 feet.
Lat/Long: 38.4847, -120.0195

Getting there

From the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines, California, head east on highway 4 for approximately 32.5 miles and turn left when you see the sign for Highway 207 Bear Valley Ski Area. Follow this for .2 miles then turn right into the Round Valley SNO-PARK. Staging and hiking out from here is possible, but keep in mind between November 1 and May 31 a SNO-PARK permit is required.

If you have a highway-legal high clearance 4x4 vehicle it is possible to drive 2.6 miles to the trailhead. Very rough road (not all wheel drive accessible). Parking for non-4x4 vehicles is available at Round Valley SNO-PARK.

38.50740, -120.01602 · 38°30'26.6"N 120°0'57.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in7.66.96.34.12.20.80.50.30.72.24.17.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Lake Valley Trailhead

Can you reserve a site at Lake Valley Trailhead?
No. Lake Valley Trailhead is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Lake Valley Trailhead

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.