Skip to main content
FacilityFacilityRecreation.gov

Lake Valley Trailhead

Kirkwood, California · Alpine County · Facility

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, v…

Advertisement
38.50740, -120.01602
Open in OpenStreetMap

About Lake Valley Trailhead

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

How to Get 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.

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Plan Your Visit to Lake Valley Trailhead

Heading to Lake Valley Trailhead? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Lake Valley Trailhead?

No central reservation system listed for Lake Valley Trailhead. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10057821) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Lake Valley Trailhead?

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…