Local Attractions and Adventures.

Kit Carson Lodge is located on the northern side of Silver Lake; with plenty of outdoor activities around both in and out of the water. We encourage you to explore our beach and dock activities, as well as venture further afield for some truly awesome and memorable activities in Kit Carson. Here are some of our favorites below:

Water Sports Galore

Our location on the shores of Silver Lake make it an optimal place to explore all sorts of water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and boating.

We have kayaks, stand up paddle boards, pontoons, and more that are available to rent through our front desk, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

We recommend packing a lunch and then paddling or motoring over to Treasure Island to enjoy the stillness and natural beauty of the largest island in the lake. Or, if you’re looking for a longer day, explorers can enjoy nature’s landscape by boating around the seven miles of scenic lake shore.

A boat on a calm lake faces a shoreline with tall pine trees and a clear blue sky

Hold your horses

The Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters gives you a true chance to ride through the scenic trails all over Silver Lake on the backs of their gentle and friendly horses.

You don’t need riding experience to enjoy this day activity, which will give you a chance to explore quite a lot of the Silver Lake area from a much different perspective, freeing you up to look around and enjoy the scenery more while you connect with nature and your horse.

Click here for more information on Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters. Advanced reservations are required.

A man and a woman posing with a white and brown horse in an outdoor setting.

Water Sports Galore

Our location on the shores of Silver Lake make it an optimal place to explore all sorts of water-based activities such as kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and boating.

We have kayaks, stand up paddle boards, pontoons, and more that are available to rent through our front desk, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

We recommend packing a lunch and then paddling or motoring over to Treasure Island to enjoy the stillness and natural beauty of the largest island in the lake. Or, if you’re looking for a longer day, explorers can enjoy nature’s landscape by boating around the seven miles of scenic lake shore.

Hold your horses

The Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters gives you a true chance to ride through the scenic trails all over Silver Lake on the backs of their gentle and friendly horses.

You don’t need riding experience to enjoy this day activity, which will give you a chance to explore quite a lot of the Silver Lake area from a much different perspective, freeing you up to look around and enjoy the scenery more while you connect with nature and your horse.

Click here for more information on Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters. Advanced reservations are required.

Experience the gold rush for yourself

It wouldn’t be a trip to Kit Carson Lodge without experiencing the gold fever that so many travelers who passed through our doors felt.

We highly recommend exploring some of our local history and the more colorful aspects of California’s past with a visit to Gabby’s Gold Rush Tours, where you can take a three to four hour trip with Gabby visiting the old trails where the rocks are still worn, or even climb Devil’s Ladder. Learn about the history of California’s gold rush and step in the footsteps of the original 49ers.

Experience the gold rush for yourself

It wouldn’t be a trip to Kit Carson Lodge without experiencing the gold fever that so many travelers who passed through our doors felt.

We highly recommend exploring some of our local history and the more colorful aspects of California’s past with a visit to Gabby’s Gold Rush Tours, where you can take a three to four hour trip with Gabby visiting the old trails where the rocks are still worn, or even climb Devil’s Ladder. Learn about the history of California’s gold rush and step in the footsteps of the original 49ers.

A close-up view of rushing water cascading over rocks in a stream or river

Take a hike.

The Carson Pass area is one of the premier wildflower zones of California and one of the best hiking areas for short spectacular hikes. Many trails lead to pristin Alpine lakes that are only accessible by foot and are often covered in flowers. There are trails available for all ability levels in the area. See the front desk for an inexpensive hiking map with all of the local trails with the elevations and distances.

A sunset casts warm light on a mountain peak surrounded by a forest and a body of water

Visit a Living Pioneer Town

Just south of our Inn is one of our favorite attractions; a pioneer town reconstructed to represent what life was like in the 1800s for people living in California, and includes several pioneer homes, schoolhouses, a
blacksmith shop, wagon display, and even part of an original lumber flume.

Fresno Flats is a journey back in time as volunteers in historically accurate clothing guide visitors through the various buildings in the town, explaining what life was like in the 1860’s for the intrepid settlers that decided to make California their home. A simpler type of life that is both charming and intriguing to experience and explore for yourself.