Located in the Tahoe National Forest, only 18 miles northeast of downtown Foresthill, Sugar Pine offers the serenity of a pristine alpine lake without the crowds of Lake Tahoe. The complex, which opened in May 1985, contains two campgrounds, boat ramp, hiking trails, picnic area, swimming beach, and a trailer dump station. Most facilities have been designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Some facilities are available on a reservation basis only. Fishing for warm and cold water species is good. There is a boating speed limit on the lake of ten miles per hour. Pets are allowed in all areas on leash. An easy hiking trail circumvents Sugar Pine Reservoir providing many access points to the shoreline.

Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trails
Well groomed OHV Trails in the Sugar Pine Recreation Area attract off-road riders of trail bikes, dirt bikes and quads. Parker Flat and Sugar Pine OHV Staging are provided primarily for OHV users. Both sites have vault toilets and a loading ramp. Parker Flat is suitable for car and tent campers. Sugar Pine Staging is for RV use and day parking; tent camping is not permitted. Both provide easy access to the Foresthill OHV trail system.

China Wall OHV Staging area, approximately 5 miles further northeast on Foresthill road is also a popular kick-off point to access the many OHV trails that criss-cross the Divide. Open year-round, snowmobilers and sled-dog racers also enjoy the trail system leaving from China Wall. Views of the North Fork of the American River Canyon are magnificent from the China Wall parking lot.