7 Best Hiking Trails in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is a stunning blue lake around the California and Nevada border, typically surrounded by snowcapped peaks. The best way to experience this beautiful place is to hit up the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe, which are accessible year-round.

Why You Should Hike in Lake Tahoe

With miles and miles of trails, several wildernesses, various mountain ranges, state parks and numerous national forests, Lake Tahoe hiking is any outdoor adventurer’s dream. A trip to this beautiful region isn’t complete without exploring the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe like Emerald Point Trail, Cascades Fall Trail, Five Lakes Trail, etc.

Is there hiking in Lake Tahoe?

Yes! You’ll find everything on the Tahoe hiking trails, from a simple stroll to a challenging trail to a multi-day hiking excursion. Many of the trails are both conveniently accessible and offer breathtaking sights.

Hikers, outdoor lovers, explorers, and simply those wishing to spend some quality time with friends and family during holidays will enjoy visiting Lake Tahoe, thanks to the large range of hiking trails available in and around the lake. Trekkers can find the best hikes in the Lake Tahoe area because it offers several trails with stunning views of the lake.

Can you hike in Lake Tahoe right now?

Yes! After a tough beginning of the COVID pandemic and recent fires, most Lake Tahoe trails are now fully open. All South Lake Tahoe trails are open.

After the winter, you may need to check on conditions if you do not have the right winter hiking equipment like snowshoes and/or crampons.

For more on my favorite hikes in Lake Tahoe, keep reading this guide for the 7 best hikes in Tahoe!

What Season to Hike in Lake Tahoe

Although trails in Lake Tahoe are open all year-round, summer season is considered the best time to go hiking because of plenty of warm sunshine, snow-free trails, and radiant summer colors. If you are a more novice hiker, definitely try hiking in the summer. It will be a lot easier from a gear perspective, and it is typically more family and child friendly.

However, I personally love winter hiking in Lake Tahoe. While most people are skiing, you can find me snowshoeing the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe.

How to Get to Lake Tahoe

The closest airport from Lake Tahoe is Reno Airport. Although it is a smaller airport, there are many cities that will have a direct flight to Reno. This takes you to the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, and from there you can decide if you will be staying in South or North Lake Tahoe.

Lake Tahoe is also fairly close to the Bay Area and San Francisco International Airport, making the traveling journey easier for tourists. Pets like dogs can also be taken along for hiking as the trails have dog-friendly options. You will also find that different restaurants and rental companies also cater to animals.

If you are from out of state, my recommendation to get to the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe is to fly to Reno Airport and then take your home base in South Lake Tahoe.

What to Pack for the Best Hiking Trails in Lake Tahoe

Whether you are a beginner hiker or a more advanced hiker, it is important to pack well for a good trip. Aside from the 10 essentials (including important safety gear like a map), you will want to make sure you are optimizing for good hiking boots, water, and sun protection. When you decide on which of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe to go on, you will want to make sure you are comfortable! Uncomfortable gear can make any beautiful hike less fun.

Hiking Boots / Shoes

The trails in Lake Tahoe are generally pretty moderate in terms of footing. However, there are some Lake Tahoe hikes where you will have some more rock or boulder climbing. Therefore, shoes with good grip are recommended. Hiking boots typically will give you a much better grip than sneakers, so it just depends on your comfort level when you are hiking.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is super important when you are outdoors. Even if it is winter, the sun can be very harsh on your skin. Some of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe have a lot of sun exposure, so it’s best to be safe.

Water Storage

Once you leave your accommodation in Lake Tahoe, you will likely be out for the whole day. While there are some gas stations, there aren’t always a lot of water refill stations at the parks. Therefore you’ll want to make sure you have enough water for your entire trip while heading to some of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe. The MSR Drom Bag has been my go-to water carrier for years now.

In the summer, I will bring around 1L per hour of hiking. In the winter, I will lessen that to around 0.5L per hour of hiking.

Summer Hiking Clothing

Some of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe can get very hot in the summer. I always like to have sweat-wicking clothing. For more information on why this is important, check out my blog post on Essential Hiking Clothes!

7 Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe

1. Eagle Lake Trail

1.9 miles | Dog Friendly

This is among the most famous hikes in Tahoe, as well as one of the finest in terms of spending time and efficiency. You may see an alpine lake, waterfall, and enjoy panoramic lake views and the stunning granite scenery of Desolation Wilderness just with a little effort.

The distance of the trail is 1.9 miles with an elevation gain of 450 feet. Eagle Lake shows its natural beauty of golden fall larch and summer flowers. This multi-use trail is classified as a National Recreation Trail and is part of the famous Sawtooth Lakes Loop.

The trail of the Upper Eagle Falls Trail may be found by following the signs. You’ll have to climb a set of granite stone steps that are quite steep. Eagle Creek Bridge crosses above the flowing Upper Eagle Falls. This is an excellent place to stop for photos and enjoy the scenery. It also offers a lot of campsites and is a great place to go fishing, swimming, exploring, and climbing. It is one of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe, especially for beginners due to its short distance and easy trekking.

2. Cascade Falls Trail

1.5 miles | Dog friendly

Cascade is one of the most enjoyable short trails in the Emerald Bay area. From the Bayview Campground, it’s only 1.5 miles roundtrip. Moving along the trail, you can see the scenic beauty of both lake Tahoe and Cascade waterfall from the top. The waterfall is around 200 feet tall and rather magnificent.

Because this is one of the most popular areas, parking spots are limited. If you want to go out and see some lovely nature but don’t want to commit to a full day trek, this is a wonderful option. It’s a great spot for a picnic so you can relax, enjoy the scenery, and take a rest near the falls. Trees grow out of little crevices in the adjacent massive rock outcroppings.

This “not too lengthy hike” with roaring falls and a beautiful creek would be perfect for kids. The creek is at its most active in early summer and late spring, and it gradually slows down in the fall.

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3. Rubicon Trail

16.4 miles (turn around any time) | Not dog friendly

The famous Rubicon Trail winds its way from D. L. Bliss State Park around Emerald Bay, providing a variety of hiking opportunities. Rubicon Trail has a fairly long total mileage of 16.4 miles distance, but you can turn around at any time and make it as long or short as you want. This trail dips and dives along South Lake Tahoe’s west shoreline, providing some of its most breathtaking vistas of the lake.

This is a moderate climb that is ideal for active kids who wish to cool off in the lake by swimming. The trail is best used from April to September and is mostly used for hiking, camping, running, and nature visits.

4. Emerald Point Trail

4.4 miles | Not dog friendly

At 4.4 miles, Emerald Point in my opinion is the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe for a short afternoon. The trail is located immediately south of Jakes Peak and facing Emerald Bay, is one of its most beautiful sights. Panoramic views, sport climbing under the Mayhem Cove, infinite bouldering on magnificent stubby golden granite, and even numerous thrilling long traditional and adventurous climbs over the south pillar are all available.

The hiking trail is surrounded by pines and junipers and makes the hike also smell amazing! (Ah nature!). As an added bonus, Emerald Point trail is also well-marked which makes it easier for more beginner hikers. This Emerald Bay hike is absolutely stunning and I highly recommend it.

5. Mount Tallac Trail

10.5 miles | Dog friendly

The Mount Tallac Trail will take you to the highest altitude along Lake Tahoe’s California coast. This tough climb leads to the summit of Mount Tallac, which stands at 9,735 feet high above sea level. Bring everything you’ll need to trek to the peak of a mountain to be ready for this adventure.

It is 10.5 miles trail that is mainly used for hiking in the summer and then snowshoeing in the winter. If you want to avoid snow, it’s best to hike Mount Tallac Trail from May to October. Although this is one of the longer trails, it is definitely one of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe.

If you have an active dog, you can also bring your dog along on this hike! Even though it is a long trail, it is generally well-marked. Hiking Mount Tallac Trail will let you see the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe, fields and peaceful forests. The view at the top of the trail makes it one of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe.

6. Five Lakes Trail

5 miles | Dog friendly

The Five Lakes Trail, located in the Granite Chief Wilderness’s hills near the west shore of Lake Tahoe, is an exceptionally magnificent and quiet journey that features five beautiful alpine lakes. The lakes provide some seclusion, even though this is a fairly popular spot. It’s a moderate out-and-back hike of 5 miles round trip.

The trail begins with a hard elevation, but it gradually levels out in the latter part of the trek. Reaching the edge of Granite Chief Wilderness, you can see the beautiful streams flowing down in lakes in summer and spring. These unknown forest lakes are ideal for having a picnic, swimming, and sunbathing. Kids can also enjoy their fun activities here.

For beginner hikers, this trail can be best visited from June till October when there is no snow. After that, it is mostly used for snowshoeing. It is considered one of the best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe due to its natural beauty and scenic views.

7. Tahoe Rim Trail to Picnic Rock View

3 miles | Dog friendly

Picnic Rock is one of the best hikes in North Lake Tahoe because of the breathtaking views and serene rock outcropping at the peak. This hike is perfect for tourists and kids because it is shady, only 3 miles long, and gives spectacular views along the route.

The trail follows the 165-mile-long Tahoe Rim Trail, that traverses Lake Tahoe. There are numerous trekking options from this trailhead, and you can travel as far as you like. The trail is a single-track path and quite easy to navigate. Right away, you’ll be inspired by the lake and mountain sights. This trail runs through the Tahoe National Forest and thus is shady, making it ideal for hot summer days. Always prepare your hiking kit with all the trip essentials such as hiking apparel, water, first-aid, fuel, sunscreen, etc.

Final Thoughts on the Best Hiking Trails in Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe has long been a searched holiday destination, with its brilliant blue waters and spectacular mountain landscape consistently exceeding visitors’ expectations. Lake Tahoe invites outdoor enthusiasts all year, from lake activities in the summer to beautiful foliage tours in the autumn and global skiing in the winter.

The best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe will take you to sandy beaches nestled away in little coves, large rocky mountains, and wide fields of wildflowers. It offers the world’s best hiking trails, some of them are Eagle Lake trail – 1.8 miles short and sweet trail with stunning lake Tahoe views, Five Lake trail – 5 miles beautiful trail with scenic views of different lakes, Cascade Falls trail- a great spot for a picnic.

On the harder side of things, there is Mount Tallac trail – 10.5 miles challenging trail famous for snowshoeing and hiking, and if you want it to be that long, the Rubicon trail – 16.4 miles moderately trafficked trail which allows visitors see the epic views of the Lake Tahoe. These are only some of the best hikes in Lake Tahoe, and there are a lot more to explore!

Some other hiking trail options in Lake Tahoe not mentioned here are Fallen Leaf Lake and Mount Rose.

Do you agree with these best hiking trails in Lake Tahoe? Which ones are your favorites?

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