Forestdale Road

Forestdale Road, also known as Blue Lakes Road on some maps in Alpine County, offers spectacular scenery and brief sections of technical terrain as it traverses from Red Lake to Lower Blue Lake.

Start this dirt route by turning off Highway 88. Head south at Red Lake and ascend Forestdale Road to Blue Lakes. This one-vehicle-wide dirt road begins easy and then morphs into a rocky, rutted-out shelf trail.  There are seasonal shallow water crossings on this trail. Snow can be found as early as September. The trail is closed in winter. Every vista is incredible. This double-track trail is suited for licensed 4WD high-clearance vehicles. It's not recommended for 2WD or low clearance.

There are three designated pay campgrounds along this route. Leashed dogs are okay, and a 14-day maximum stay applies. Blue Lakes (Upper and Lower) campgrounds are lakeside and have lake views. Vault toilets are available, and most camping spaces have fire rings and picnic tables. In July and August, you can reward yourself by swimming in Blue Lakes.