When you need to get away from it all, Rollins Lake and its natural beauty are awaiting you. Set off on a paddle adventure. Enjoy some sailing or even go water-skiing through its many coves and long stretches of open water. Cast a line and catch the “big one.” Even its shoreline has miles of hiking trails for you to enjoy.
Quick Facts
Sitting at an elevation of 2,100 feet in the Gold Country of the Western Sierra near Grass Valley, California. Fed by the Bear River, it has a surface area of 900 acres, with 26 miles of shoreline. A reservoir, it’s managed by the Nevada Irrigation District and can be found easily off of Highway 174.
Camping
Rollins Lake features four developed campgrounds offering a mix of tent and RV sites, with a total of 250 sites to choose from. To learn more about what each campground offers and what to expect when camping at Rollins Lake, be sure to visit the Rollins Lake Camping page.
Public Access to the Lake
In addition to offering campsites, each of the four campgrounds also provides public access for day-use visitors. On the northern shore, Greenhorn Campground is the only privately owned campground near Rollins Lake. It also features day-use facilities, a boat ramp, and picnic areas.
On the western side of the lake, you’ll find two campgrounds, each with its own unique vibe. Long Ravine is a local favorite, known for its boat launch and peaceful picnic spots. Orchard Springs offers similar amenities but also includes a snack shack and rentals for boats and kayaks.
Finally, Peninsula Campground lives up to its name—located on a peninsula, it boasts nearly 270 degrees of waterfront views, along with designated day-use areas.
Fishing
Due to its lower elevation, Rollins Lake provides anglers the opportunity for great year-round fishing. You can expect to catch rainbow trout, German brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. In the summer due to its popularity for boating, it’s a good idea to fish in the early morning hours or late afternoon. Concentrating on the more peaceful coves. Then in the winter, Rollins Lake becomes a bastion of solitude allowing you to bank fish and troll it. Anglers often enjoy the challenge of fly fishing for bass during winter months even though the trout fishing can be productive as well. To get the local’s scoop on all of Nevada County’s bounty of fishing, be sure to read the owner of Reel Anglers Fly Shop Tom Page’s “Tips on Fishing In Northern California’s Nevada County.”
Water Sports
Note: For summer 2025 boating season Rollins Lake water levels will drop significantly below average. For more information, see Damaged PG&E infrastructure impacts NID water supply – Nevada Irrigation District
As mentioned earlier, Rollins Lake is one of the popular lakes in Nevada County that allows motorboating. If you’re bringing your own boat, as of March 2025, be aware that due to the detection of the invasive golden mussel in nearby waters, all motorized watercraft must check in with on-site staff to be enrolled in the Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination (WID) program.
Once your boat is approved for entry, there are several launch points, including Greenhorn Campground, Orchard Springs Campground, and Long Ravine Campground—each equipped with boat ramps. For the most up-to-date information on day-use fees and seasonal passes, visit the NID website.
If you’re looking to rent a boat or kayak, Sierra Pontoon Rentals operates out of Long Ravine Campground from May 1st through September 15th.
Additional Excursions
You may come for all the fun water activities but the landscape surrounding Rollins Lake offers a tranquil escape via a quick stroll. Just south of the Orchard Springs Campground is a short but sweet 2.2 mile out-and-back excursion called the Rollins Lake Dam Trail which offers great opportunities for bird watching and glimpses of the mountains surrounding it.
Sample The Local Flavor
This part of Nevada County is reminiscent of the geography and climate of the hills of Italy. As such, many who came here focused on their passions from the old country. Less than five minutes from the shores of Rollins Lake, you’ll find one of the stops on our Italian Food Tour – Montoliva. Part of the Sierra Vintners Trail founded in 2000, they focus on creating Tuscan inspired wines such as Teroldogo that is rarely seen outside of the South Tyrol region in Italy.
