California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Devils Lake

2.0 mi
round trip
279 ft
climb
7,317 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Devils Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Eldorado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Devils Lake is an easy out-and-back hike in California's Eldorado National Forest, within the Amador Ranger District. The trail is about 2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 279 feet, and it rises from a low point of 7,016 feet to a high of 7,317 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, and only about two wet days a month from June through September. Bikes are allowed on the trail. The Bear River, a canoeing spot, lies about 0.6 miles away, and the Pardoes 4WD Trail for mountain biking is about 1.5 miles off. Tinka Dome, a climbing area, is about 1.7 miles away, and Bear River Group Campground is about 3 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Bear River Group Campground (Eldorado National Forest, CA)

    Campground

    Campground · 3.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Blue Bear Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 11 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Devils Lake

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 32.4 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

      Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Nov 2, 2026 · Forest Service

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