Lake Tahoe gets roughly 15 million visitors a year. Jackson Meadow Reservoir, an alpine lake in Tahoe National Forest about an hour and 20 minutes away, gets around 30,000. That contrast is the whole appeal: 1,000 acres of blue water at 6,045 feet, ringed by pine forest and High Sierra peaks, with none of the marinas, traffic or lakefront development.

What's on offer is simple but genuinely good. Eight campgrounds with more than 280 sites line the shore, and the reservoir supports kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, water skiing and both motorised and non-motorised boating. Anglers get brown and rainbow trout stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, plus kokanee salmon, with the season running from spring snowmelt until the first snows of late autumn. Hikers have direct access to the Pacific Crest Trail, and in winter the lake freezes over, opening up more than 50 miles of snow trails — though you'll need to bring all your own gear, as there are no outfitters on site.

Swimmers should know this is a proper alpine lake: even in July, the warmest month, water temperatures average around 74°F and can be much chillier earlier in the season. There's a swim beach near Pass Creek Campground, and the Nevada Irrigation District, which manages the water, advises life jackets and warns against diving because of cold shock and submerged rocks. Water levels also fluctuate since the reservoir doubles as a storage facility, so check NID notices before you go. One more rule: motorised boats must be decontaminated or quarantined as part of golden mussel prevention.

Camping runs from Memorial Day weekend to the end of October, and reservations open up to six months ahead online. Pass Creek (30 sites) is the pick for water lovers thanks to its beach and boat launch; East Meadow (46 sites) suits hikers heading for the PCT. On the western shore, four more campgrounds sit down an unmaintained road requiring a high-clearance vehicle — Woodcamp has 20 sites and a short nature trail, while tiny Fir Top and Findley are the quiet options. Pack your own water, as taps aren't always running, plus DEET repellent.

For anyone who loves Tahoe's scenery but not its summer crowds, this is an easy swap: under an hour from Truckee and about 90 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Midweek, you may practically have the place to yourself.