Long Lake is a sweet alpine swimming spot near Truckee, perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day. With its rocky shoreline and boulders for jumping, it's a chill place to hang out and soak up some sun. Just a short 2 mile hike in on the Palisades Creek Trail, this lake offers a cool escape but can be crowded on the weekends. Just watch out for those epic backflips off the rocks! This well-loved trail from Cascade Lakes offers an easy, family-friendly hike to Long Lake. The Palisades Creek Trail meanders gently through forested terrain, passing Cascade Lake along the way. After about half a mile, the path forks and leads east toward Long Lake. Nestled among granite outcrops, the alpine lake provides stunning scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Highlights of this area include stunning views, cool lake waters perfect for swimming, and gentle trails ideal for families. However, the access road can be rough and may pose challenges for some vehicles.

NOTE: I recommend driving a 4WD because the long dirt road drive in on Kidd Lake Road from Royal Gorge X-Country Center can be very rutted and technical in spots.