Silvertip Day Use Area is set on PG&E property around Lake Valley Reservoir in an area with several of the companies hydroelectric projects. The reservoir is in the American River watershed.
Located a short distance off of the Yuba Gap exit of I-80, the day use area has a small parking area with a cement boat ramp that can accommodate smaller motorized boats, along with several picnic benches set in the shade of the pine tree canopy. There is also a short trail that follows the bank of the reservoir around to the dam area at the lake's western end where visitors frequently fish from.
As the reservoir is private property, PG&E requires visitors to pay for entry - $5 for parking or $10 for boat launch - payable at a self-pay station in the parking area beside the vault toilets.
Set in the High Sierra, the day use area, along with the adjacent Lodgepole Campground, are closed during winter conditions. During the summer, the small area tends to fill up on weekends, with most of the benches and prime sitting spots along the lakeshore being occupied early.
Set amidst a backdrop of the Sierra high peaks, during calm waters this area is great for paddle boarding and paddle craft. The water is usually clear enough to see into the depths below.
Reaching Silvertip Day Use Area requires driving the final mile down a graded gravel road that can be pretty rough, but is usually passable by all vehicle types. Lower clearance vehicles may need to drive carefully over this portion.
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