Pinecrest Lake Day Use Area — Attraction in Sonora

☀️ Summer Days at Pinecrest Lake ☀️

I absolutely love coming to Pinecrest Lake during the summer—and clearly, I’m not the only one! This beautiful spot is a favorite for so many, and for good reason. If you’re planning a visit and want to snag a parking spot that’s not a long hike away, arrive early. I got super lucky and found a spot in the main lot when I rolled in at 10:00 AM on a Thursday. 🎉

Pinecrest Lake truly has something for everyone: 🚣‍♀️ Boat, sail, kayak, paddleboard, or float 🏊‍♂️ Take a refreshing swim 🎣 Cast a line and enjoy some lakeside fishing 🥾 Hike the scenic trail around the lake

The sun can be intense, and that refreshing water will have you out there for hours—so hydrate often and don’t forget the sunscreen!

If packing snacks isn’t your thing, you’re covered—there’s a snack bar with food, drinks, and the best soft serve ice cream around 🍦.

Whether you’re spending the whole day on the water or just relaxing by the shore, Pinecrest Lake is a must-visit summer...

Pinecrest Lake is fantastic and easy to get to. The absolute best time to go for hiking is October and November. We go often throughout the year and love the various hikes throughout the area! Ranging from easy to difficult, there’s something for everyone! AllTrails has a great variety to choose from or just ask a local at one of the markets.

For summer lake use, definitely avoid the weekends! Parking after 9 AM during the summer is horrendous so arrive early, hike the lake then grab your towels, chairs and paddle boards. The main beach areas tend to fill up and get really loud with people blasting music but the beaches that are to either side of center are great.

This is a no-ski lake so there’s no worrying about your kids if they’re out on paddle boards or canoes. There is a lot of beach area and quite a large designated swim area. Tons of trees provide plenty of shade. It’s an easy day trip and a lot of fun for the...

Pinecrest is a great recreational area all year long. During the summer months it is great for swimming, hiking, boating and fishing. During the fall its great all of the above but may be too chilly for swimming. They drain part of the lake in the fall and more closer to winter so the water is pretty low in the fall. Pinecrest is also a great place to build a snowman in the winter and is right by the Dodge Ridge ski resort. It is beautiful, alot of people take photos here. They have a trail that goes around the lake, its not the easiest trail but it is not...