Rent A Cabin Next To This Tiny NorCal Lake In The Tahoe National Forest

Located in a remote corner of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Tahoe National Forest is Packer Lake Lodge. This serene lodge is located next to a tiny Northern California lake. This is the perfect place to get away from it all and connect with nature. Packer Lake Lodge has a total of 15 separate cabins. Some are more rustic than others– six are rustic and share bathroom and shower facilities located in a separate building; the others have 1-3 bedrooms plus bathrooms and kitchens for a more comfortable stay.

The small, rustic cabins are called the “sleeping only” cabins. These can be rented on a daily basis, and are great for shorter stays.

The cabins with kitchens and bathrooms can only be rented on a weekly basis (Saturday-Saturday). These cabins come with housekeeping services.

Only one of the cabins, called “Peace and Quiet” has a private laundry facility.

The rustic glampground-like resort has plenty of picnic tables to enjoy your meals outside, as well as barbecue grills.

Packer Lake offers swimming, kayaking, boating, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and more.

Explore the nearby Pacific Crest Trail, the Sardine Lakes, Upper Salmon Lake, or one of the many streams. The closest town is Sierra City, where you can find a small grocery store and a cafe.

Packer Lake Lodge is open throughout the summer all the way until Columbus Day weekend (October) or Veterans Day (in early November)-- whenever it starts to snow.

If you have your eye on a particular cabin, be sure to email reservations well ahead of your planned visit in order to snag the cabin you want on your desired date.

There is no cell phone reception at Packer Lake, but there is a pay phone by the parking lot. And if it’s an emergency, the staff will let you access the lodge phone.

Dogs are welcome at the lodge but must be well-behaved and kept on leash. The cost to bring a dog is an extra $25 per day, with a maximum charge of $75 per week.

So, what should you pack on your visit to Packer Lake Lodge? If you’re using the shared bathrooms and showers, be sure to bring shower shoes or flip-flops. The cabins have bath towels but you’ll want to bring extra towels to dry off after swimming in the lake. You’ll also want to bring sunscreen, bug repellent, water shoes, toiletries, a warm jacket, and cold drinks and food to stock the fridge, plus your fishing license if you plan to fish in Packer Lake.

So instead of heading to Truckee or Lake Tahoe for a summer trip, consider booking a night or two at this lesser-known lakefront lodge.

Compared to other remote lakes in Northern California, the drive to get to Packer Lake Lodge is not too bad. From Sacramento, it takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. From Redding, the drive is 3 hours and 30 minutes; and from Sonoma, the drive takes about 4 hours.

Most Northern Californians do not know about this beautiful resort tucked away in a remote area of the mountains. So reach out to Packer Lake Lodge, and see what dates they have available for the cabin you want to book.