Exploring Lake Van Norden And Serene Lakes

For years, Brian and I had talked about buying a vacation property—a cozy mountain cabin, a second home near Lake Tahoe, or a retreat close to endless outdoor adventures. However, we have never fully committed to the idea. Real estate around Lake Tahoe is incredibly expensive, and we also realized that owning a vacation home would mean returning to the same place every time we traveled.

Instead, we both prefer discovering new destinations and experiencing more of what the world has to offer. So rather than purchasing a getaway property, we began searching for unique vacation homes available for rent.

We had passed by Serene Lakes many times while driving toward Lake Tahoe but had never stopped to explore the area. After discovering some beautiful vacation rentals located there—only about 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe—we decided to take a trip up Interstate 80 and see what this mountain community was really like.

Discovering Serene Lakes

Serene Lakes refers to two mountain lakes, Serena and Dulzura, located on the western side of the Sierra Nevada range in northern California. The lakes are about one mile south of Soda Springs and Interstate 80.

Sitting at an elevation between 6,800 and 7,200 feet, these spring-fed lakes each cover roughly 50 acres and become frozen during the winter months. They are positioned along the edge of Tahoe National Forest and near Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort, the largest Nordic skiing destination in North America.

The surrounding landscape is filled with beautiful mountain forests featuring Tamarack, Cedar, White Fir, and Lodgepole Pine trees. The historic Overland Emigrant Trail, which dates back to the 1840s, also passes through the area.

Located among the forests of Donner Summit, Serene Lakes is also the name of the residential community built around the two lakes. Visitors can find a boat launch, a large swimming beach, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, and volleyball courts.

Boating without motors, fishing, and swimming are permitted at lower Dulzura Lake. However, swimming is prohibited at upper Serena Lake because it serves as the main drinking water source for the community.

Our Visit to Serene Lakes

During our visit, we drove around the neighborhood, explored the lakeside areas, and attempted to go hiking. Unfortunately, rain earlier that week had left the roads extremely muddy, preventing us from traveling very far beyond the entrance to Royal Gorge.

Although we were disappointed that we could not explore more trails, we did manage to stop at a wooden bridge and walk down to a nearby creek where we spent some time enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Compared with the busy and crowded atmosphere of Lake Tahoe, Serene Lakes felt much quieter and more relaxed. Many of the homes in the area were impressive vacation properties.

However, after exploring the community, we realized it was not the perfect vacation destination for us. The lakes are relatively small, swimming is limited to only one lake, and most of the activities we would want to enjoy would require driving rather than walking, hiking, or biking from the property.

The History of Serene Lakes

Serene Lakes was not always known by its current name. Originally, the two mountain lakes were called the Ice Lakes.

Before modern refrigeration technology existed, natural ice was transported long distances to cities along the West Coast, making it a valuable resource. After the railroad reached the area, the Ice Lakes became an important source of ice for the Summit Ice Company, which shipped blocks of ice by train to San Francisco.

This operation continued for several years before production moved to Prosser Lake, where colder conditions and lower snowfall created better ice-harvesting conditions.

Later, the two lakes received the names Serena and Dulzura. Local stories suggest that Mark Twain may have been responsible for naming them. Eventually, the lakes became collectively known as Serene Lakes, a fitting name that reflects their quiet beauty and peaceful mountain environment.

Exploring Van Norden Lake

After visiting Serene Lakes, we continued our adventure to nearby Van Norden Lake and Van Norden Dam. We wanted to explore the wide, shallow lake and enjoy a scenic hike through the surrounding landscape.

Located at the western end of Donner Summit Valley, Van Norden Lake is surrounded by wetlands that support a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The area is also home to birds such as ospreys and bald eagles.

We followed the Summit Valley History Trail, which begins near the parking area by the dam and loops around Van Norden Lake.

From the parking lot, we climbed a short but steep path to the top of the historic Van Norden Dam beside the spillway. Almost immediately, we were rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the lake and surrounding meadow.

Because we visited in spring, the forest was full of fresh green growth, and the bright blue water reflected beautifully under the sunlight.

Hiking the Summit Valley Trail

Water was flowing over the spillway during our visit, so we followed a narrow dirt path along the left side of the dam. The trail crossed the top of the dam and connected with Lake Van Norden Road, a route that was once part of the historic Lincoln Highway.

We continued across Castle Creek Bridge before turning onto another trail that led toward the West Van Norden warming hut, which is used by Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort during the winter season.

The trail continued along former ski routes, but eventually we decided to turn back. We were not prepared for the full loop around Van Norden Lake and its surrounding wetlands.

For those planning the complete hike, the area offers several points of interest, including historic features such as Native American mortar holes. The full Van Norden Lake Historic Trail is approximately 3.3 miles and provides a deeper look into both the natural and cultural history of the region.

A Scenic Mountain Experience

After exploring Serene Lakes and Van Norden Lake, we planned to enjoy a picnic at Donner Lake. However, an unexpected detour led us instead to the abandoned train tunnels near the top of Donner Summit, where we spent several hours exploring and hiking through these historic structures.

The unexpected adventure became one of the highlights of our trip.

Things to Know Before Visiting Serene Lakes

The entire Serene Lakes area offers stunning mountain scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can swim, fish, and use non-motorized boats on Dulzura Lake, although the water is cold, shallow, and public access is limited because much of the shoreline is reserved for residents.

Fortunately, many vacation rentals are available within the community, making it possible for visitors to experience the area without owning property.

Serene Lakes rentals are especially appealing for cross-country skiing enthusiasts who want to stay close to the famous Royal Gorge Nordic ski trails while avoiding the crowds and high prices of staying directly in Lake Tahoe.

If you plan to hike around Van Norden Lake, park near the spillway and allow at least half a day for the full route. This gives you enough time to enjoy the scenery, rest along the way, take photos, and appreciate the surrounding wetlands.

The hike itself is mostly flat and feels more like a scenic walk than a challenging trek. However, depending on the season and recent weather, some sections may be wet or muddy, so bringing extra socks or a spare pair of shoes is a good idea.