Watanda Lodge at Lake Vera

Watanda Lodge at Lake Vera

Photo gallery for Watanda Lodge at Lake Vera

View of lake from lodge
Watanda Lodge
Drone View of Watanda Lodge
Driveway coming into lodge
Snow at Watanda

Overview of Watanda Lodge at Lake Vera

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Check out the area

Map
Nevada City, CA
  • Popular LocationTahoe National Forest Headquarters5 min drive
  • Popular LocationNevada Theatre6 min drive
  • Popular LocationScotts Flat Lake18 min drive
  • AirportSacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.)81 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 8)

Bunk Area

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Watanda Lodge at Lake Vera


LAKE: Dam has been opened Oct 1, 2022.

If rainfall does not improve, our lake will continue to have low water levels by August. Be sure you understand that the lake may be low in late summer but there is plenty to do, Yuba River is close by as is Rollins Lake, Collins Lake and Scotts Flat. We are open regardless of lake level and not offering refunds for low water.

PET FRIENDLY: Please read entire description for information and Pet Policy.

WINTER NOTE: During the winter we can only take 6-8 people in the Lodge. The camping cabins (Kiosks) are not winterized.

COVID 19 UPDATE: We know travelers are anxious about COVID 19, Camp Watanda would like to assure you that we follow hygienic hygiene and sanitation practices as a regular routine including wiping down all surfaces as a final clean with disinfectant again as the housekeeping staff exits. We are open for business, if you chose to change or cancel your reservation, we understand, and credit will be given to apply to another date as long as we have 48 hours' notice.

FINE PRINT: This is a nonsmoking lodge; smoking is permitted at the fire ring on the waterfront. The use of cannabis is not permitted. Medical cannabis must be consumed at least 50 feet away from all buildings.

SEE ALSO CABIN LISTING AT VRBO #33191.
CABIN RENTS SEPARATELY FROM THE LODGE.

Looking for a romantic weekend for 2 or large family vacation? Watanda Lodge, located 2 miles from downtown Nevada City is the perfect get-away for families or friends who vacation together. Our 10-acre site is a retired resident camp renovated for family enjoyment. Watanda Lodge alone can be rented by your family or a couple for a romantic weekend or both lodge and cabin (VRBO #33191). Watanda Lodge sits on Lake Vera which is shared by 3 seasonal working camps.

The non-smoking lodge contains a large stocked, gourmet kitchen for meal preparation for up to 30 persons. The lodge bathroom one toilet and one tub/shower. Adjacent bath house has 3 toilets and 3 showers. The Great Room has a large ten-foot fireplace with wood burning insert for chasing away the winter chill. Heat and A/C throughout lodge. Direct-TV/VCR/DVD & wireless DSL, phone for local calls. Large video/DVD collection, books & puzzles for your enjoyment. **Maximum in the lodge is 8 for overnight sleeping, additional guests use the camping Kiosks. Kiosks are not suitable for Fall/Winter use. Day guest use is 30 maximum.

Lodge sleeping accommodations for 8, rest of guests use the Camping Kiosks (not suitable for winter use). The large dorm style Lodge bedroom contains one king bed, (linens provided for king bed only), two twin bunk beds and one twin bunk bed in the great room. Only the king bed will be made up, linen sets will be provided for the bunks depending on the number of guests in your reservation. Additionally, there are 12 pillows. Portable crib/playpen & high chair available upon request. Toiletries and towels are provided for groups of 4 only, larger groups will need to bring own towels. Cabin rents separately from the lodge.

LAKE VERA is a small private lake, there are a variety of watercraft for your use including 6 canoes and 3 kayaks. Life jackets are provided and required for all boaters. No fishing license is needed. A picnic area and large fire ring are located on the waterfront, accommodating 40. There is little shade on the waterfront, we do provide shade canopies, but you might consider bringing one. The lake is drained from about November 1 (depending on rainy season) to mid-April; water level begins to drop in August and can be quite low in dry summers. There is an ALL-Lake quiet from 9:30 pm-7:00 am in which only quiet activities that do not create a disturbance.

Minimum stay is 3 days from Memorial Day to Labor Day and Holidays, 2 day minimum the rest of the year. Kiosks and waterfront use included in rental. Small cabin on the property may be also rented at the same time if the entire site is not rented by your group. Motor Homes and school buses can navigate our entrance, but not large Coaches. We do not have RV hook-ups or the capacity to run extension cords.

NEVADA CITY: Nevada City has many year-round events, and the Fall colors and weather are not to be missed. December has Victorian Christmas and Grass Valley has Celtic Christmas; both are weekly events thru December. The fairgrounds are close by with many antique and quilt shows. There are also several wineries in the area and many fine restaurants and antique stores. Grocery stores, consumer services and hospital, are less than 5 miles away.

SUMMER USE: Great for families large or small, or friends who vacation together. The Yuba River is 3 miles away. Equestrian trails and staging areas along Hwy 20. Many developed bike trails in the area. We do not permit motorized biking on our 10 acres.

WINTER USE: Nevada City and Grass Valley both have weekly Christmas Fairs in December offering many local artisans. Great location for Tahoe skiers who do not want to pay resort prices. Cross country skiing 45 minutes away on Hwy 20, snow play less than 20 minutes up Hwy 20. We are at 2500 ft elevation and is located off main road which is plowed but has long driveway that is not plowed. There is parking at the road entrance if snow is a problem, but rarely is. Saucer sleds available. We can only accommodate 8 total in the winter.

PETS: Well behaved owners with good citizen dogs are welcome, however dogs are not allowed in the kitchen or on furniture. Please help us to remain pet friendly by observing this.

Dogs must have current rabies vaccination. It is recommended that dogs be treated 3 days before your arrival with a topical flea and tick medication.

Dogs are not allowed to roam the property and must be under the direct control of the owner. Any dog showing aggressive behavior or interferes with guest enjoyment will be asked to board the dog(s) off site.

Check out our website for additional pictures and information. Online calendar is kept up to date daily.

** Directions and 'What to bring list' are on our website.

Keywords: Lodge, large groups, reunions, vacation rental

Property manager

Kathryn McNitt

Amenities

Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed
Maximum 2 dogs.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside at camp fire ring only

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
Property Registration Number 1012

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Nevada City

Located in Nevada City, this lodge is on a lake. Ol' Republic Brewery and Double Oak Vineyards and Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or check out other outdoor activities such as sledding and snowmobiling.
Map
Nevada City, CA

What's nearby

  • Tahoe National Forest Headquarters - 5 min drive
  • Nevada Theatre - 6 min drive
  • Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum - 9 min drive
  • Nevada County Fairgrounds - 13 min drive
  • Scotts Flat Lake - 18 min drive

Getting around

  • Colfax Station - 28 min drive
  • Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) - 82 min drive

Restaurants

  • Northridge Of Nevada City - 6 min drive
  • The Willo - 8 min drive
  • Three Forks Bakery & Brewing - 6 min drive
  • Treats - 6 min drive
  • Jernigan's Tap House & Grill - 8 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 17 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ingrid H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family getaway.
Fantastic week of swimming and relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary H., San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful, peaceful, fun!
We had such an amazing time this past week for spring break. Pictures don't do it justice, lodge was very well appointed, beds were amazingly comfortable and the property was just beautiful. Can't beat a fire by the lake. It was fun because we were there the week the lake was filling up so everyday our paddling experience on the lake was different! Loved the wildlife - saw several types of birds, a couple of turtles, and heard the frogs. Great hikes in the area, we easily found a few that worked for our 4 year old and dog. We liked to go for a hike in the am and then come back to the lake to relax in the pm. Kathyn's communication was top notch - responsive and proactive. We hope to come again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steven H., Citrus Heights, CA USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet and secluded.
The location was easy to get to and you're close to any amenities in Nevada City. It was nicely tucked away and perfectly secluded. The inside of the lodge was clean and tidy, and the bed was super comfortable. Very large grassy area was great for our two dogs. Definitely plan on bringing anti-tick topical treatment for your dogs; we dealt with at least 4 to 5 ticks on our golden retriever. He's also on combo-guard but we got a nice routine of always double and triple checking the dogs after any walks or play time. The internet is definitely slow but we didn't mind. We used the time to play lots of board games and watch movies. It's been a long time since I got to watch a VHS! (But they had a nice collection of DVDs too)
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

jerry v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Stay!!!!
This was an excellent place to visit and stay. Great communication, cleanliness, amenities, the pictures don't do it justice. Will definitely be back!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christine B., Rocklin, ca

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Restful!
We found the place relaxing. You can see lots of stars including the Milky Way and a shooting star. There is a lot of land to run around. It is about 45 minutes from Malakoff Diggins, which was great family excursion for hiking and social distancing. The price is a bargain compared to a hotel. It only has one bedroom, but the kids can sleep in the bunks in the living rooms and we moved a twin mattress from the bedroom to the living room to accommodate them. The kitchen is big. It is fairly clean, almost like as a hotel. An added bonus for us is it was not booked for 5 days, which gave us added assurance it was safe. We rather it been vacant for a few days, and know we can’t get COVID-19. All high-touch surfaces looked very clean. I highly recommend it!!!

About the host

Hosted by Kathryn McNitt

Host profile image
John and I love the sierras and could not be happier as caretakers of this wonderful piece of property. As our grandbabies come along they have enjoyed the great outdoor experience at grandma and grandpa's lake.

Why they chose this property

After working at the summer camp next door for 20 years, I knew this is where I wanted to retire to, so when the opportunity to purchase Camp Watanda became available, we bought it! We restored the site with modern amenities making it suitable for family use.

What makes this property unique

The abundant wildlife and quiet elements of nature after all the kids have gone home after the summer. We have 22 acres for you to prowl around in.
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