Gold Lake Lodge

I’ve been to Gold Lake Lodge three years in a row, and plan on continuing to return. Let me tell you a bit about what you can expect:
The Lodge is set off a couple hundred yards from Gold Lake Highway, nestled in the woods at the trailhead to Round Lake. (You’ll see a lot of day-​trippers parked at the trailhead — just hang a right to drive into the Gold Lake Lodge campground.) The campground is made up of three tent cabins, about a dozen small cabins, and the main dining room.
Those who stay in the tent cabins will get a slightly more rustic experience: you’ll have a full bed and a dresser in the tent, but bathrooms and showers are in separate outhouse-​like structures (perfectly clean, hot water, flushable toilets, etc.). Those in cabins will live in luxury with their own bathroom and shower. Both can accommodate 2 – 3 people depending on how much you like one another, but 2 is probably the right number for most. Prices are substantially cheaper for the tent cabins than the cabin-​cabins, but both are reasonable.
The price tag includes a full-​blown breakfast, snacks for lunch, and a gut-​busting dinner. Meals are served family style, and you’ll quickly learn the ins and outs about which dishes to order, but everything will leave you full. Steak features prominently on the menu, but there are many other options too. My favorites? The pork loin with «Gold Lake sauce» (whatever that is!) and the Buffalo burger (also, not coincidentally, with «Gold Lake sauce»). For breakfast, you can’t miss with the «Gold Lake scramble». (See the pattern?) For dessert, the «szarlotka» — Polish apple pie — is the runaway favorite.
The lodge is run by the ever-​helpful John, and ably staffed by a small gaggle of Polish students, who return year after year and add a little bit of cosmopolitanism to the woods.
Perfect for all types, very close to amazing hikes and lakes… pretty hard not to give it 5 stars.

Sorry it has taken so long to comment. I relocated from NY to enjoy nature. I found what I was searching for. The 5 lakes (nothing better than lake swimming), beautiful hiking and fresh, clean air created a most memorable getaway. John, the owner, and his family are wonderful hosts. They are lovely and I’m quite sure guests will enjoy time shared with them. Try to take a break and go visit.

Had visited GLL a few years back but during this visit to the Sierra City area, could not recall the name, only that the facility was on Rt. 49 towards Graeagle. Spotted their sign as we went by and pulled in just in time for the 5:30 dinner seating.
The lovely young ladies behind the desk were from Poland, and welcomed us with smiles.
An excellent meal was served and family-​style side dishes ensured full bellies for all.
Made some new acquaintances at the dinner table and thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
Highly recommended.

This place is awesome!!! It is like stepping back into time into the lodges of yesteryear!!! We have been treated like family and have made new friends. We have gone back 2 years in a row and have already reserved for next summer!!! The Lake Basin Recreational area is stunning, strings of pristine lakes and gorgeous jaw dropping scenery. Meals are yummy — no cooking and no cleaning up!!! S’mores by the campfire to finish the day! Who could ask for more?

Ditto to all that the other reviewers say: I am planning my fourth year at GLL, with grandsons in tow. This is the style of Sierra lodges of 60 years ago, except that the transportation is easier and the food is incomparably better. Tip: try the tent cabins: two beds in each, electricity, and bathrooms/​hot showers fifty feet away. Priced very reasonably, esp for kids under ten, and you have the illusion of real camping. Fishing mediocre but scenery, hiking are magnificent. Bring a kayak and you’ll really have fun on all the little lakes.

We stayed there in June and from reservation to departure it was a real treat. Other reviewer said it best, «whole bunch of old school awesome». People treated you like family and access to wilderness just steps from cabin door was really special. Backcountry full of alpine lakes, granite and pines. Lots of families and dogs on the trails. If you don’t enjoy the get-​away charm — it’s your own d-​mn fault.

We just returned from a three-​night stay at the Gold Lake Lodge and it is a whole bunch of old school awesome. There is a reason they are celebrating 100 summers this year. We loved it and will definitely be repeat visitors.
The location in the Lakes Basin is tremendous for hiking and scenery. It is a forested, lake-​filled wilderness with tons of trails. There are short hikes, 4.5 mile loops, butt-​kickers, and it connects to the Pacific Crest Trail so you can go as far as you could want. Each hike has magnificent views. We even caught a 14″ rainbow trout in nearby Long Lake. The best part is that the trail head is a few steps from your front door. We never got in the car until it was time to go.
John, the owner, is terrific. He runs a first-​rate establishment and is more than happy to share a wealth of information. It is obvious he wants to make sure you have as much fun as he does in his favorite spot. The staff was great as well and took good care of us.
The cabins are rustic, very rustic, but a good, simple, and historic rustic. The old pictures prove they have not changed much over the years. They are clean, comfortable and charming, with fun little tilting windows you open from the outside. The mattresses are comfortable as are the pillows. The bathrooms added on to the backs of the cabins were recently remodeled and are clean and pleasant as well. It was a little chilly by the morning, but two small electric heaters kept us toasty.
We were a little hesitant to be so dependent on the Lodge for food in advance of our first visit – all meals are included with your stay. Not a problem. The food is outstanding. Home-​cooked meets restaurant, served at two long tables in the dining hall. They provide a made-​to-​order breakfast and dinner, as well as simple snacks for lunch on the trail. Breakfast offers a selection of all the standards like eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, oatmeal, juice and coffee. It was always tasty. Dinner starts with homemade bread and a delicious soup of the day, served family-​style. This was followed by salad on a cold plate and the carbohydrate of the day, again served family-​style. You select your entrée from a menu with several daily specials as well as a large regular menu with a surprisingly large number of options. There is even a kids’ menu. Each night we enjoyed one of the three dessert choices before calling it a night. We did not have a single meal we did not like. The dining hall is also available to non-​guests.
Booking was easy. Got all the info I needed online, including rates. Then I called and had no problems making the reservation, though we found early August was pretty busy so we had to wait until later in the month. We also learned September usually has good availability and the weather is still very nice.
Bottom line, we have been telling our friends and family all about it since our return. If you are only comfortable in a standard hotel-​like environment, this might not be the place for you. But if you enjoy old school rustic charm and hiking, you are going to love it. If you time it right you will even be treated to an amazing display of wildflowers. Regardless, John will make sure you have an enjoyable stay.