Is there cell service at Lake Alpine?
Service is found by some near the water, most out on the water or a short trip back up the hill at Silvertip campground. The service is better when the area has less people. The lodge and cabins are extremely spotty at best.
Is there wifi?
We now have a paid public wifi network at the Lodge! It does not reach the cabins.
Is There a day use fee at Lake to go to the lake?
There is a $5 day use fee to use the facilities at Lake Alpine. The funds collected from day use fees help to pay for waste removal, restroom, maintenance, employees, fire prevention, and general improvements.
The day use fee can be paid on site at Lake Alpine Day Use Areas, at Lake Alpine Lodge, or by using the link below. Please note, the Day Use Fee is not a parking pass, it is for use of the Day Use areas overall. Prepayment of a Day Use Fee online in no way guarantees a parking space.
is it smoky up there?
We have an air sensor attached to the lodge so you can see our air quality in real time
if the widget does not load please click here
alternatively, please click here to use airnow.gov, a federal air quality organization. Please be sure you are seeing Bear Valley in Alpine County, not Bear Valley in Mariposa County.
But is the smoke, like, bad?
We understand that we are remote and it can be a commitment to make the trip but the answer to this is often extremely subjective. The air quality links provided above truly are the best answer we can give.
Are dogs allowed?
We love dogs! Leashed dogs are welcome in every area of Lake Alpine excluding our restaurant dining room. The cabin pet fee of $60 covers up to two dogs in a cabin for an entire stay. 3 dogs = $90. >3 dogs = too many dogs for one cabin. These fees cover a reasonable amount of cleaning due to pets and excessive amounts will necessitate an extra $100 fee. No pet fee in a tent cabin.
What is your cancellation policy?
Details on our cancellation policy can be found at https://lakealpinelodge.com/policies. The gist of it is that all deposits are non-refundable and we do not process refunds for any guest-initiated cancellation. Ever.
We are not a city hotel, our cabins are open for an average of 100 days per year and take an extraordinary amount of effort to maintain and fill for that short season. If you are not comfortable taking on the numerous risks associated with reserving a vacation in the high alpine California wilderness, of which there are many, please buy travel insurance and/or consider booking a vacation somewhere with a more stable environment, like Sandals Omaha.
What time is check-in/out?
Check-in is 4pm, check out is 11 am. We are unable to accommodate early check-ins or late check-outs.
Are there cabins available in winter?
Lake Alpine Lodge is operational for the summer and autumn seasons. Usually June-early October. It may be extended in either direction if snow conditions allow. The entire area is inaccessible by vehicle for the winter and spring months, as Highway 4 is closed.
Is the restaurant open for breakfast/lunch/dinner?
The exact bar and restaurant hours fluctuate each season based on all sorts of wacky variables. It's best to call. On a "normal" year, the gist of it is limited hours Memorial Day weekend to Father's Day weekend, then open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner until Labor Day. After Labor Day we return to limited hours for 4-5 weeks and close for the season in early October.
Can I make restaurant reservations?
We do not take reservations. All seating is open.
Boats?
BOATS. BOATS. BOATS.
Where do we rent boats/paddleboards? Can we make reservations?
Watercraft are rented daily, first-come first-serve from the store.
How much do boat rentals cost?
Please contact us directly for current pricing.
Are life jackets included with rentals?
Life jackets and oars are included with rentals. Life jackets must be worn at all times with rentals.
How much does it cost to launch a boat?
It costs $10 to launch a boat. This includes the day use fee (there is not an additional $5 due when launching a boat." Kayaks, canoes, motorboats, air mattresses, sailboats, and all other boats using the boat launch must pay the day use/launch fee. Please note there is always a 10 mph speed limit on Lake Alpine. Big/expensive powerboats are permitted, though not recommended due to countless unmarked hazards.
Is the water in the cabins potable?
Our water is potable and delicious for any use. Cases of water are unnecessary and we prefer our guests drink from the tap. We are always striving to reduce our environmental footprint, especially in the area of single use plastics.
Are the cabins heated?
Most cabins have a gas fireplace operated by thermostat. Quaking Aspen, White Pine and Jeffrey Pine have electric heaters. Tent cabins are not heated.
Am I able to have a campfire while staying in a cabin?
No. If you'd like to have a campfire, you must book a tent cabin or campsite.
Any cabin guests building unauthorized fires will be asked to immediately leave Lake Alpine Lodge without refund and may be placed on our black list.
Am I able to bring a self contained fire pit?.
If it has an on/off switch. Propane = ok. The charcoal/wood/bowl type = absolutely forbidden.
Do the cabins have full kitchens?
All cabin kitchens (except Quaking Aspen) have basic appliances: Refrigerator, range, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. Ponderosa, Sequoia, Jeffrey Pine, and White Pine also have an oven. Quaking Aspen has a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. All cabins have basic cutlery and dishware.
Are the tent cabins heated?
Tent cabins are only heated by your bodies! Inside is a simply a light and 4 beds. Unique to the tent cabins, however, they each have their own fire pit outside.
Do I need bedding for a tent cabin?
You will need bedding to stay in a tent cabin.
Can we have a fire at the tent cabin?
Each tent cabin has a fire pit, picnic table, and bear box. Fires must be completely contained inside the fire pit. Tent cabins are the only place on property where fires are permitted. If you would like to have a fire we recommend renting a tent cabin or campsite, or using the day use area located on the west side of the boat launch.
Do the campsites have RV hookups?
RVs are welcome in all our campsites except Backpackers Campground, but there are no utility hookups available.
Does my RV fit in this site?
Maps of sites with lengths are available here.
Please note that lenghts of driveways do not mean an RV less than that size will definitely fit. There are sharp turns, boulders and trees all over the place. These campgrounds were designed and built many, many centuries ago, when the technological behemoths of today's RV landscape were but a twinkle in Bill Motorhome's eye.
If you have not been here and own a large RV, an expoloratory recom mission is probably in order.
Is there an RV dump station on site?
There is not a dump station at Lake Alpine.
Do the campsites have potable water?
Every campsite offers shared water supplies. The water is regularly tested by the public health department and completely safe to drink. Containers to bring water back to your campsite are necessary. Cases of water are unnecessary and we prefer our guests do not bring them, instead bringing containers to fill. We are always striving to reduce our environmental footprint, especially in the area of single use plastics.
Do the campsites have restrooms/showers?
All campgrounds have vault toilets and/or portable toilets. Showers are available at Lake Alpine Lodge. Coin operated showers/laundry are located 350 feet up the hill directly behind the lodge.
Are these... are these my hands?
Yes, I assure you. Those are in fact your hands.
Are the campsites full?
All campsites are reservable at recreation.gov. There are no additional first come first serve sites beyond what is reservable at recreation.gov.
The way recreation.gov works, it may show many sites as FF (first come first serve) for the next two days. This is due to the fact that all sites must be booked at least 48 hours in advance. This means the sites showing "FF" were not reserved by that 48 hour window. It does not necessarily mean that the site is open, as someone may have taken that site as a walk-in. All sites that have not been reserved may be taken by walk-in guests, and this may not be visible on recreation.gov.
Are there camp hosts?
We have many camp hosts living onsite. They are happy to answer questions you may have, help find the most enjoyable campsite for your group, and ensure that all campers can enjoy their time at Lake Alpine.
How do I pay for a walk-in site?
All occupants must be checked in with the camp host. Please find a camp host to determine if there are any sites available. It is highly recommended that a site is booked for reservation through recreation.gov.
Can I pay for a campsite with a check?
Cash is the only accepted payment for walk-ins. An ATM is located in the store a Lake Alpine Lodge, though spotty interenet means it might not be working. Payment by card is necessary for online reservations.
There is a fire ban in effect. Can I have a fire at my campsite?
The majority of fire bans in our area do not apply to fires built in permanent campsites with permanent, dedicated fire rings. Be sure to check the specific language of any fire bans in effect, but it will most likely not apply to campsites at Lake Alpine.
Note: All fire must be contained within the fire ring. Logs which extend out of the fire ring are dangerous.
All fires must be extinguished properly. Campfires left unattended or improperly extinguished face a $350 US Forest Service fine.
Are dogs allowed in the campsites?
Leashed dogs are welcome in every area of Lake Alpine with exception to the restaurant dining room. Dogs must also be attended, i.e. not left tethered alone in a campsite.