Loon Lake Day Use and Boat Launch
Campground · Lake Tahoe corridor
Loon Lake Day Use and Boat Launch sits at 6,549 feet in the Lake Tahoe corridor, offering boat and day-use access to a Sierra reservoir. Morning conditions typically calmer than the exposed ridges to the east.
Wind builds predictably from afternoon onward; mornings are the stable window. The 30-day average wind of 9 mph masks afternoon gusts to 20 mph. Water remains cold year-round. Crowding stays light relative to Highway 50 corridor sites.
The past month averaged 37 degrees Fahrenheit and 9 mph wind, with a NoGo Score of 13 (moderate) and light crowding at 6 out of 10. The week ahead follows the same spring pattern: morning windows before wind ramps, afternoon exposure requiring caution. Track the trend chart below to catch the calmest launch and day-use windows in your planned visit.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Loon Lake Day Use and Boat Launch
Loon Lake Day Use and Boat Launch is a US Forest Service facility on the north shore of Loon Lake, a high-Sierra reservoir in Amador County. The lake sits in the transition zone between the wet western slope and the drier rain-shadow eastern Sierra. Primary access is via Highway 88 from Jackson or Highway 89 from the Tahoe basin. The launch ramp and day-use parking occupy a small developed area; the surrounding forest is dense lodgepole and fir. Elevation is 6,549 feet, placing it above the valley snow line but below the highest alpine passes.
Spring and early summer bring reliable morning calm, shifting to afternoon wind as air heats and funnels down the lake axis. Summer water temperature rarely exceeds 60 degrees Fahrenheit even at peak solar heating, making immersion hazardous without a wetsuit. Crowding typically peaks on weekends following holiday weekends and after Highway 88 reopens to full seasonal traffic. Winter snowpack can close access for 6 to 12 weeks depending on year; call ahead before November and after March. The 30-day average of 37 degrees reflects late spring conditions; winter lows can drop to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and summer highs reach 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
Loon Lake Day Use and Boat Launch suits anglers targeting Kokanee and rainbow trout, small-boat anglers, and paddlers seeking quiet water before wind. The parking area fills by mid-morning on summer weekends; arrive by 8 a.m. to secure a spot. Motorboats are permitted; electric engines only above 5 mph in designated zones. Experienced boaters plan launches for 7 to 10 a.m., before the 20 mph wind maxima typical of afternoons. The site has no overnight camping; use nearby Loon Lake Campground or dispersed camping on adjacent Forest Service land.
Highway 88 is the primary scenic route; it climbs steadily from Jackson and connects to Highway 89 near the lake. Highway 50 to the north is faster but less scenic. Visitors combining Loon Lake with Tahoe-corridor activities should allow 45 minutes to one hour drive from South Lake Tahoe or two hours from Jackson. The lake is quieter than Tahoe proper and less crowded than Highway 50 day-use areas, making it a good choice for visitors seeking solitude without extreme remoteness.