Hiking
A person who loves to hike will never be bored on a trip to Lake Tahoe. Incredible vistas, elevation gain or easy, meandering hikes--it's all here. Good for the body, the mind, the soul--check it out!
Blackwood Canyon Trail
Two miles south of Sunnyside on Highway 89, take Barker Pass Road into Blackwood Canyon. At about the 3-mile point, there is a parking area. The trail head is on the right side of the road.
A view of the Rubicon Peak and Desolation wilderness, from the Blackwood Canyon trail.
Eagle Falls / Eagle Lake
Trail starts at Eagle Falls Picnic
Area, Highway 89 across from from Emerald Emerald Bay. Permits are required on this hike and a self-registration station is at the trailhead. Two miles round trip to Eagle Lake.
Flume Trail
This trail runs from the Spooner Lake parking area on Highway 50 at the junction of Highway 28, to Tunnel Creek Road in Incline Village. It overlooks Spooner Lake, passes by Marlette Lake, and meanders along the ridge above Lake Tahoe on the East Shore. This is a favorite for mountain bikers. End to end is about 14 miles so for bikers, park at Tunnel Creek Cafe, take one of the morning shuttles to Spooner Lake trail head, and ride back to your car. Incredible views.
Emerald Bay - Vikingsholm
Trail starts at the parking area on the north side of Emerald Bay, on Highway 89. Fairly steep, about 2½ miles round trip.
Fallen Leaf Lake
Take Highway 89 north about 3 miles from South Lake Tahoe. Turn left on Fallen Leaf Lake Road. Continue about 2/3 of a mile to Fallen Leaf Lake Campground. Drive through the campground and park just before campsite #75 on the right. There is no fee for day use. Look for the trail head sign (Moraine Trail) near the parking area. Stroll along a relatively flat trail through old growth forest, along the shore of Fallen Leaf Lake.
Glacier Meadow Loop
Short, self-guided nature trail that begins and ends at the Eastbound I-80 rest stop on Donner Summit.
Marlette Lake
Trail starts near Spooner Lake Picnic Area, at the junction of Highway 28 and 50, Nevada (green metal gate on east side of Hwy 28). About 5 miles each way to the lake.
Rubicon Trail
This shoreline route starts in D.L. Bliss State Park, about 13 miles south of Tahoe City on Highway 89. State Park fee: $5 per vehicle. No dogs are allowed on the trails in state parks.
Shirley Lake
At Squaw Valley, the trail starts at the end of Squaw Peak Road. (There are numerous trails which follow the creek up to Shirley Lake; this is one of them.) It follows Squaw Creek about 2½ miles each way to Shirley Lake, passing gorgeous waterfalls and canyon boulders. (Top of tram to Shirley Lake adds considerable distance.) Going uphill, stay to the left of the creek; going downhill, stay to the right. The trail diverges and disappears at times but just keep following the creek and you'll get there. Carry water. The hike is somewhat difficult and takes 2½ - 3 hours.
Summit Lake
From I-80 take Donner Summit rest area exit and park. Just beyond the picnic tables behind the building are trail signs for Summit and some longer trails.
Tahoe Rim Trail North
Take Highway 50 east approximately 1/2 mile from the junction of Highway 50 and 28. Parking is located just beyond Spooner Summit along the north side of the highway. Take the Tahoe Rim Trail north path. Just before Snow Peak (Snow Valley Peak), the trail forks. The left fork leads you down steep switchbacks to the road to Marlette Lake. The right fork eventually leads you to Tunnel Creek Road. This trail provides panoramic views of the Carson Valley as well as glimpses of Lake Tahoe.
Find more information about the Tahoe Rim Trail at: tahoerimtrail.org
Tunnel Creek Station
Trail road starts at Nevada Highway 28, across from
Hidden Beach, about 1 mile past Ponderosa Ranch (no sign, look for gate). A steep trail road, about 1½ miles each way, at the ruins of the western portal of the old log flume tunnel. Limited parking along Highway 28.