

Plan to arrive by 8am during peak summer months to snag a parking spot so you won’t have to hassle with overflow parking along Highway 89, and bring cash for the $5 parking fee. Eagle Lake is another half-mile ascent beyond that - and worth the extra effort. This portion of the trail is about a half-mile. After a short, gentle ascent, a set of steep stairs built into the granite wall brings hikers to the top of Eagle Falls. This well-trodden path close to Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe is suitable for all levels and rewards hikers with some of the region’s best natural features: granite boulders and mountaintops, a creek, a lake, a waterfall, an evergreen forest and an eagle-eye views into South Lake Tahoe and beyond.

Upper Eagle Falls & Eagle Lake Trail - South Lake Tahoe, California Bring plenty of water and snacks since there will be many miles between amenities. If you bring some extra money, you can tour Vikingsholm Castle. Emerald Bay Beach is noisy with boats and beach-goers who are drawn to its beauty. Families with older kids will especially enjoy exploring the granite outcroppings, sandy coves and opportunities to swim. Some people like to bring two cars and set up a shuttle, but you’ll need to be an early bird to pull this off. One fee will allow access to both state parks. The most popular place to park (for a fee) and start is DL Bliss State Park and then head south to Emerald Bay State Park. You can make this lakeside hike as long or short as you like, and the views will be stunning regardless of your choice.
#Tahoe flume trail full
On weekends, this will be more difficult than during the weekdays.Įmerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe © Michael Marfell / Getty Images Rubicon Trail - South Lake Tahoe, Californiaġ6.4 miles point-to-point, full day, moderate

Though the trail begins at a gated federal Forest Service road off Lakeshore Avenue, cars must park along the street. Informational placards along the way include history about Incline Village and Crystal Bay, their inhabitants and significant industries. The lookout no longer stands having been replaced with bathrooms and picnic tables for visitors. With this one, you can say you began your walk in Nevada and ended in California. The end of the trail is a former fire lookout location strategically placed for its panoramic views of Crystal Bay. It qualifies as family-friendly, though there is a rather steep 400ft in elevation gain. This paved loop (which some might consider a stroll rather than a hike) is popular due to its short distance to amazing views on Lake Tahoe’s northern shores. Whether you’re wrangling toddlers for a spot to play on the lake or strapping on overnight gear for a few days in the backcountry, we’ve got all the best tips to help you hit the trails. Studding the horizon are the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada, and the depths of Lake Tahoe (which doesn’t have a bad angle) sparkle in pristine shimmers of blue below it. The Lake Tahoe basin and surrounding mountains are flush with trails, creeks, coves, shores and alpine lakes.
