Nestled at 5,400 feet in the Sierra Nevada, Fuller Lake provides a peaceful mountain retreat within an hour of Nevada City. This gem of a lake invites visitors to paddle its calm waters, cast a line for trout, explore forested hiking trails, and spot wildlife amongst tall pines. An inviting escape from the everyday, learn how to get there and what to expect on the water.
Helpful Links:
- CA State Parks Website
- PG&E Website
- USDA Forest Service Website
- CA State Harmful Water Reports
- Paddle Boarding Accessories
- Sunscreen
- Coolers
How to Get There
Fuller Lake sits at 5,400 feet elevation in Nevada County, roughly 24 miles from Nevada City. Take Highway 20 east for about 20 miles, then turn left on Bowman Lake Road (Forest Road 18) and drive about four miles north. The Forest Service describes Bowman Lake Road as winding and narrow with tight corners, but paved, so budget closer to an hour than the mileage suggests. GPS coordinates are approximately 39.35307, -120.66039.
Fuller Lake Dam Trailhead and Lake Access: 13466 Forest Rte 18, Nevada City, CA 95959
Fuller Lake Boat Ramp and Parking: 13776 Bowman Lake Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959
Parking and Hours
Parking is available for day use only, sunrise to sunset. The Forest Service lists the season as May 16 until the first snowfall, but PG&E sets the actual dates each year: in 2026, dam work restricted public access from March 28 to May 15, and the recreation season opened May 22. Check PG&E Recreation before driving up. Day use costs $7 per vehicle.
The lot is small. PG&E warns that larger trailers are not recommended and may be turned away when the parking lot is full.
A vault toilet is available at the picnic area, but potable water is not, so bring your own. For road, gate, and fire status, call the Tahoe National Forest at (530) 265-4531.
Paddle Boarding
The lake’s roughly 70-acre size and typically flat water make it ideal for paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing.
Non-motorized watersports are the best way to enjoy the lake’s peaceful setting, with easy access from the boat ramp. There are no rentals here, so bring your own gear. An inflatable paddle board is the most practical option since the access road isn’t exactly built for roof-racking a rigid board up to 5,400 feet. Keep your phone safe from splashes with a waterproof pouch so you can still grab photos of the granite shoreline.
Before You Get in the Water
Your board counts as a vessel here. Once you are outside a designated swimming area, federal rules treat a paddleboard or kayak as a boat, which means a Coast Guard approved life jacket aboard for each person. California goes further: anyone under 13 has to be wearing one while the vessel is underway. A leash is not required by law, and it is still the piece of gear that keeps your board within reach after a fall.
A fall into cold mountain water triggers a gasp reflex before you have time to swim. Wear the life jacket instead of strapping it to the nose of the board.
Neither PG&E nor the Forest Service posts an invasive mussel inspection at Fuller Lake. PG&E’s rules ask anyone who has visited infested waters to check their boat and equipment, so clean, drain, and dry your board between lakes. Report a suspected mussel to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (866) 440-9530.
Boating Rules
PG&E limits speed on the lake to 10 mph, and to 5 mph within 200 feet of the shoreline.
The Forest Service lists the site under non-motorized boating, and neither agency publishes a motor rule beyond the speed limits, so confirm with PG&E before hauling a motor.
Boat launch fees are $10.
Fishing and Wildlife
Fuller Lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, and PG&E describes it as known for rainbow and brown trout. Fish from the shore, by boat, or from a float tube.
Fuller Lake is known primarily for its trout fishing:
- Rainbow Trout: Planted as catchable fish by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The CDFW planting schedule lists Fuller Lake plants in July and August 2026, with another scheduled for late September.
- Brown Trout: A non-native species that PG&E reports in the lake. CDFW does not stock brown trout here.
Other species include mottled sculpins and crayfish, important parts of the lake ecosystem, and prey for the trout.
The inlet and outlet areas, as well as spots near structures like rocks and logs, are particularly productive fishing locations.
One angler I met said the rock where I was picnicking had been a favorite fishing spot over his 30 years of visiting the lake.
Wildlife encounters include osprey, waterfowl, deer, and forest mammals in the surrounding woods.
Lake Conditions
Fuller Lake’s water stays cool through the season, reflecting its elevation and its supply of mountain water through the Nevada Irrigation District’s Bowman-Spaulding Conduit. No agency publishes a water temperature for the lake, so test it at the ramp and dress for immersion.
Wind Conditions and Waves
Winds are typically calmest in the early mornings and can increase in the afternoon, especially during summer.
Sierra Nevada summer thunderstorms can bring sudden strong gusts, so get off the water when clouds build.
The lake is small enough to keep waves to a minimum.
Paddling Distances
This size makes Fuller Lake ideal for a half-day paddle or a leisurely walk, with calm, scenic water and relatively short distances between beaches, boat launches, and other features. It’s accessible for casual outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore without undertaking a full-day commitment.
The lake roughly spans around a half mile across its widest points.
Paddling from the northwest boat ramp to the southeast shore is approximately 0.45 miles one way.
A full lap of the shoreline makes a leisurely 1-2 hour trip.
Hiking Trails
Trail Around Fuller Lake
There is a walking path that roughly circles Fuller Lake, making it a comfortable loop for visitors.
This trail offers scenic views of the lake and surrounding forest, ideal for a gentle hike or nature walk. The terrain is relatively flat and accessible, perfect for most skill levels and families.
Along the shoreline, hikers can enjoy opportunities for wildlife spotting and peaceful lakeside resting spots.
Rucker and Fuller Lakes Via Spaulding Lake Trail
The Spaulding Lake Trail is a scenic and moderately easy trail located near Fuller Lake. It is approximately 4 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of about 400 feet, which makes for a manageable hike of a few hours.
The trail winds through mixed forest, including pine and cedar, offering shaded pathways with occasional open views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada landscape.
Starting Point: Near Fuller Lake Dam.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7XAom5eP8cqZnGKN7
Take the trail North and curving slightly west around Rucker Lake.
The trail can be combined with longer loops up to 10.1 miles for a full-day outing including Spaulding Lake and back. PG&E has closed its Lake Spaulding campground, day-use area, and boat launch for the entire 2026 season for dam work, so plan on no facilities at that end.
Enjoy serene lake views, wildflowers in spring, and opportunities to see local wildlife such as deer and birds.
The terrain varies from flat lakeshore paths to forested moderate climbs, suitable for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts.
For longer hikes, consider the Grouse Ridge Trail, accessible nearby, and explore the Yuba lake chain and adjacent Rucker Lake, which has its own campground.
Camping
Camping is not permitted at Fuller Lake itself, but campgrounds are available nearby, including Rucker Lake and Carr Lake. Carr Lake Campground, run by PG&E, has 11 hike-in sites at $15 a night from May 27 to October 15. It has vault toilets but no potable water, so purify lake water before drinking it. The last 3 miles are Forest Road 17, an unimproved dirt road the Forest Service does not recommend for low vehicles.
Fire restrictions: Tahoe National Forest Stage 2 fire restrictions run through October 31, 2026. Campfires and stove fires are allowed only in the fire rings or charcoal grills provided at campgrounds listed in the order, which include Carr/Feeley Lake and Rucker Lake. Check the current order before you light anything.
Lake History
Fuller Lake in Nevada County, California, was created as part of a hydroelectric water storage system, fed from Bowman Lake. California’s Division of Safety of Dams lists the dam as built in 1870, 36 feet high, and holding 1,060 acre-feet. The State Water Board’s description of PG&E’s hydroelectric project gives 39 feet and 1,109 acre-feet.
Its creation is linked to the 19th century water management developments in the Yuba watershed for mining and later hydroelectric power generation.
Fuller Lake is currently managed for hydroelectric use by PG&E, receiving water from the Nevada Irrigation District’s Bowman-Spaulding Conduit and releasing it to the Spaulding No. 3 Powerhouse. The area’s infrastructure reflects its historical role in both Gold Rush-era water distribution and contemporary hydroelectric projects.
PG&E owns the dam and operates the day-use area and boat ramp, which sit in the Tahoe National Forest. The Forest Service handles road, fire, and closure questions.
Arrive early on summer weekends for limited parking and enjoy the calm water for paddling. Bring all supplies, especially water and snacks, as amenities are minimal. For hikers and wildlife watchers, bring binoculars and shoes to explore nearby trails.
More California Lakes To Explore
Greater Sacramento
Sierra Nevadas
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Article Updates
September 15, 2026: Corrected this guide against Forest Service, PG&E, CDFW, and Division of Safety of Dams sources. The dam dates to 1870, not 1856, and the lake is fed by a conduit from Bowman Lake rather than springs. No cutthroat trout live here, brown trout are not native, and the brook trout claim had no source. PG&E’s rule is a 10 mph speed limit with 5 mph near shore; the electric-motors-only rule had no source. The drive from Nevada City is roughly 24 winding miles, not 30 minutes. Carr Lake Campground has no potable water. Removed an unsourced water temperature table, wind statistics, and two conflicting 2-mile perimeter figures. Added life jacket rules, cold water and invasive mussel guidance, the 2026 season opening and Lake Spaulding closure, current Stage 2 fire restrictions, and a Forest Service contact number.
August 4, 2026: Added the affiliate disclosure this page should have carried.
