Meet Margaret!

Hiking to Margaret Lake in El Dorado National Forest

You have an adventurous side and enjoy lakeside solitude, but you don’t want to be too far from your comfort zone. Time to meet Margaret! Tucked just north of Kirkwood and just off Highway 88, Margaret Lake is an alpine oasis reached via a 4.8-mile (round-trip) hike. The trail’s shorter distance makes it a good day hike or beginner-friendly yet adventurous backpacking trip. Yes, you will have to cross giant fallen trees, traverse some boulders, and wander through meadows. Ready?

From the trailhead the path descends into rocky terrain before transitioning to red fir forest passing by marshy ponds, babbling creeks, and even some gentle waterfalls. Not a quarter of a mile passes without the terrain giving way to new scenery. Three streams cross the trail, with downed trees acting as bridges (and a good balance test). At 2.2 miles you’re getting very close to your destination, and the trail reaches a granite slab that you have to scramble up.

Once you’ve reached the other side you’re only a few hundred yards from the lake, where the trail diverges into two. To the right are giant boulders. To the left you’ll find secluded campsites and tranquil fishing spots.

Margaret Lake calls out for a swim (heed water levels; don’t go cannonballing). Explore several rock islands in the middle of the lake and later, back on land, find granite heights for gorgeous views of the rugged wilds.

Park at the Margaret Lake Trailhead off of Hwy 88. The trail can draw crowds on the weekends, so get there early to have your pick of campsites. There are ten campsites around the lake. Margaret Lake is dog-friendly (but not all dogs want to cross the logs or creeks). Fire permits required for gas stoves and campfires. 

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View