Gold Lake is the largest lake in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area, a cluster of glacier-carved lakes in the northern Sierra Nevada managed by the Plumas National Forest's Beckwourth Ranger District. The lake sits at about 6,400 feet in Sierra County, covers roughly 510 acres, and drains out its north end into Frazier Creek, which drops over Frazier Falls on its way to the Middle Fork of the Feather River. "Lakes Basin" is the name of the whole recreation area, which holds more than 20 lakes. Gold Lake is the big drive-up lake in it, and this listing points at the free day-use area beside the dam on its north shore.

From Graeagle, drive about 1.5 miles southeast on Highway 89 and turn south onto Gold Lake Highway, then follow it roughly 7 miles to the lake. From Sierra City, take Highway 49 east to Bassetts and follow Gold Lake Highway north over the summit. The main boat launch has a large paved lot. The Forest Service warns that the road running north from the boat launch toward the campground is narrow and rough, so take it slowly if you are heading for the dam end. Most of the area and the highway are snowbound in winter.

Swimming is a listed activity at Gold Lake, with one firm rule: no swimming or fishing near the boating facilities, meaning the two-lane concrete ramp and its loading dock. Swim instead at the Gold Lake Dam Day Use Area (the Forest Service calls it the cartop launch and day use area), which has a gravel hand-launch ramp for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, vault toilets, and no drinking water. Don't expect a groomed beach. The Forest Service doesn't list a marked swim zone or lifeguards anywhere on the lake. At this elevation the water stays cold even in midsummer, and July and August are the realistic swimming months.

The dam day-use area is free and open 24 hours a day. The main boat launch charges a $10 daily launch and day-use fee, and campground hosts sell an $85 annual pass. The Forest Service ends fees, services and the boat dock at the launch in mid-October, when the 37-site Gold Lake Campground closes for the season. Bring your own water, since there is no potable water at the lake.

Gold Lake is open to every kind of boat. Water-skiers, jet skis, sailboats and windsurfers all share the lake with swimmers on summer weekends, so stay close to shore and carry a bright float if you swim out where boats run. Keep away from the dam outlet, and use care along Frazier Creek downstream, where the current runs fast above the falls.

The lake makes a good base for the rest of the basin. More than 30 miles of trails connect dozens of smaller lakes and reach the Pacific Crest Trail. The short paved Frazier Falls trail starts off Frazier Falls Road, back toward Graeagle, and Goose Lake, next door, bans motorboats if you want calmer water. Besides Gold Lake Campground, campers can use Lakes Basin Campground on Gray Eagle Creek or the primitive Gold Lake 4x4 Campground on the far shore, which is reached only by a boulder-strewn off-highway road and has no water or toilets.