Roth Lake, Bavaria, Germany

Also known as:  Rothsee

Children play at the beach on the shores of Roth Lake, while harried parents let the sun melt their cares away. In the background sailboats glide across the surface of the lake, and windsurfers dart back and forth trying to catch any available breeze. Roth Lake (Rothsee in German) is part of the Franconian Lake District in Bavaria. The lake is a popular weekend getaway for German…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Roth Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Roth Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About Roth Lake, Germany

Lake Locations: Germany - Bavaria Region, Germany -

Children play at the beach on the shores of Roth Lake, while harried parents let the sun melt their cares away. In the background sailboats glide across the surface of the lake, and windsurfers dart back and forth trying to catch any available breeze. Roth Lake (Rothsee in German) is part of the Franconian Lake District in Bavaria. The lake is a popular weekend getaway for German families and a destination for tourists from across the world who come to experience the beauty and culture of Bavaria.

Rothsee is the largest natural lake in the District of Roth with 544 surface acres of water. The lake serves as a storage reservoir for water pumped from the Danube River by way of the Main-Danube Canal. A dam with a small hydroelectric power plant generates electricity as water is discharged into lower lakes and rivers. Rothsee is divided into two parts, with 124 surface acres of water before the dam and the remainder on the main lock side. The lake includes a marina and is the popular site to boat, sail and windsurf. There are several public recreation areas around Roth Lake, including one at the lock with a viewing platform. A 7.5-mile riverside walk wraps around the lake’s shore for walking and cycling, and a 1.25-mile “fish walk” along the lake’s southern shore provides access to the lake and information on the fish species. Perch, roach, bream, carp, catfish and pike can all be found in Rothsee.

The northwest corner of Roth Lake is a designated Nature Reserve. The 25-acre reserve was established to protect the birds and wildlife that use the lake. Viewing areas let visitors bird watch, and an observation pavilion houses exhibits on the lake’s habitat. There are also outside display areas sometimes used by area school children. Rothsee is a family-friendly lake with activities and playgrounds accessible to families with small children.

Waterfront cafes, holiday cottages and villas dot the area around Roth Lake. Its proximity to the city of Nuremberg makes it the ideal weekend destination, and Nuremberg provides visitors with all the cultural amenities of a major city. Rothsee is part of the Altmuhl Valley and near the Altmuhltal Nature Park. In addition to the historic architecture including Roman towers and medieval castles, the park is also known for its fossils. Families can go fossil hunting in some of the area’s limestone quarries, and museums display the fossils found in the valley – over 800 species in total. Perhaps the most important find to date is the Archaeopteryx, nine of which were found in the valley. The small reptile-like bird might provide the link between dinosaurs and birds. The search is under way for the tenth Archaeopteryx, and budding paleontologists will find plenty of treasure to fascinate them around Roth Lake.

With its beautiful water, charming countryside and ample public recreation opportunities, Rothsee is the perfect place for a weekend family getaway. Add the rich history of the Altmuhl Valley and the fascinating fossils of Altmuhltal Nature Park, and Rothsee becomes an extraordinary destination for anyone who wants to experience all that Bavaria has to offer.

Things to Do at Roth Lake

These are some activities in the Roth Lake, Germany area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Biking
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • Museum
  • Playground

What Kind of Fish Are in Roth Lake?

Roth Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

  • Carp
  • Catfish
  • Perch
  • Pike
  • Roach
divider

Find Places to Stay at Roth Lake

If you’re considering a Roth Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a Roth Lake Vacation

Our interactive Roth Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

Roth Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

Surface Area: 544 acres

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,276 feet

Average Depth: 26 feet

Maximum Depth: 51 feet

Water Volume: 9,323 acre-feet

Completion Year: 1992

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop Roth Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More Roth Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The Roth Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New Roth Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this Roth Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: