Lost Lake Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Lost Lake Recreation Area is located in the Eldorado National Forest in California.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for a fun and relaxing getaway. The park is known for its picturesque lake and stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
One of the main reasons to visit Lost Lake Recreation Area is to enjoy the lake. Visitors can swim, fish, and paddle in the lake, or simply relax on the beach and enjoy the scenery. The park also offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a campground for overnight stays.
Some specific points of interest in the park include the Lost Lake Dam, which was built in the 1920s to create the lake, and the campgrounds, which are situated in a beautiful wooded area near the lake. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, and birds, making it a great destination for nature lovers.
Interesting facts about the area include that Lost Lake is actually a man-made lake, created by the damming of a creek. It is also home to a rare species of frog, the mountain yellow-legged frog, which is endangered due to habitat loss and disease.
The best time of year to visit Lost Lake Recreation Area is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the lake is at its most inviting. However, visitors can also enjoy the park in the spring and fall, when the foliage is colorful and the crowds are smaller.
Overall, Lost Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful and peaceful destination that offers something for everyone. With its stunning lake, scenic hiking trails, and abundant wildlife, it is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy the great outdoors.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Selma Layne Park
Keith Tice Memorial Park
Woodward Park
Williamsburg II Park