Independence Lake is one of the most pristine alpine lakes west of the Rockies. The lake and surrounding alpine forests offer exceptional recreation, including hiking, fishing, kayaking and bird watching in the beautiful Sierra Nevada.
Cottonwood Creek Campground is located on the seasonal Cottonwood Creek along Highway 89, four miles south of Sierraville. Its location makes it a great base camp for a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, hiking and biking.
At 8,587 feet, Sierra Buttes is the tallest peak in the Lakes Basin region, the northernmost section of the Sierra. The peak is a commanding geologic feature, rising 4,500 feet above the North Yuba River Canyon and 2,800 feet above Lakes Basin.
The Tahoe National Forest is located northeast of Sacramento in the central Sierra Nevada mountains and extends from near Lake Tahoe to north of the prominent Sierra Buttes.
