Two Lakes, One Perfect Summer Day
There’s a particular kind of joy that only happens on the water — skis cutting a clean line across a glassy morning, a boogie board wipeout that has the whole boat laughing, someone cannonballing off the back deck because the water is just too good to resist. That’s a Trinity County summer day, and it’s waiting for you at either of our two favorite all-sport lakes: Trinity Lake and Ruth Lake.
Both offer boat rentals, lakeside lodging, and a place to eat when you’re done for the day — here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.
Trinity Lake
Trinity Lake is one of Northern California’s premier houseboating and water sports destinations, tucked into the Shasta-Trinity National Forest with 147 miles of tree-lined shoreline and countless quiet coves. It’s known for world-class trout and bass fishing, glassy water perfect for skiing and boarding, and wide-open space to spread out.
Boat Rentals: Trinity Alps Marina, located closer to Lewiston at the Fairview boat ramp on the south side of the lake, rents a full range of watercraft — call (530) 410-2354 or visit trinityalpsmarina.com for current deals. Trinity Lake Marina at Cedar Stock also offers a full selection of watercraft — call (530) 286-2225 or visit trinitylakemarina.com. Both marinas have lodging options too.
Lodging: Pinewood Cove Campground and Marina [(530) 286-2201, pinewoodcove.com] and Trinity Lake KOA [(530) 266-3337, koa.com/campgrounds/trinity-lake] both sit right on the water, and Bonanza King Resort offers private cabins along Coffee Creek for a quieter stay in the Trinity Alps. Then there’s Trinity Alps Resort — the resort where time stands still. Fifty rustic cabins line a mile of the Stuart Fork River, each with its own kitchen, bath, and sleeping veranda, for the kind of unplugged summer getaway that hasn’t changed in generations. Open May 15 through September 30, (530) 286-2205, trinityalpsresort.com.
Food & Drink: Yellow Jacket Eatery in Trinity Center is a locally loved, farm-to-table spot for burgers, salads, and weekend brunch. Trailhead Pizza up in Coffee Creek serves oven-fired pizza on a twinkle-lit patio (seasonal, May–October). Coffee Creek Country Store is the go-to for sandwiches, local beer, and Alpen Cellars wine. Alpen Cellars Winery itself — Trinity County’s original winery, running off its own hydroelectric power — is open for tastings Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 AM to 4 PM. And at Trinity Alps Resort, Bear’s Breath Bar & Grill serves dinner right on the deck above the Stuart Fork River — the char-grilled Stuart Fork Chicken is a house favorite (summer season only).
Ruth Lake
Smaller and more tucked-away, Ruth Lake sits in southwest Trinity County on the Mad River, about 9 miles off Highway 36 on Mad River Road. It’s a great lake for kayaks, ski boats, and fishermen alike — the surface is often glass-flat until the afternoon breeze picks up, making mornings perfect for skiing and paddling before the fish start biting later in the day.
Boat Rentals: Ruth Lake Marina (ruthlakecsd.org/marina), run by the Ruth Lake Community Service District, sits right on Mad River Road. Prefer something quieter? Ruth Rec Campground rents kayaks and canoes and has its own boat launch and camp store.
Lodging & Food: The Journey’s End, just across the road from the marina, is a motel, cabins, restaurant, and general store all in one — known for wood-fired pizza and live music on weekends. Open early April through late October, (707) 574-6441, thejourneysendatruthlake.com. For barbecue, White Stump BBQ sets up at the entrance to Ruth Rec Campground — the pulled pork sandwich is the one to order.
Come Make Some Memories
Whether it’s a full day of skiing behind the boat, a lazy float on a boogie board, or just jumping off the back and swimming to shore, Trinity County’s lakes are made for exactly this kind of summer. Pack the boat, grab the family, and go make a splash.
Special thanks to @toby.kaufmann.7 & Shannon Ross for photos. All rights reserved.
