Lake Tahoe is a beautiful summer hiking destination with stunning shoreline scenery and opportunities to see some unique features. Here are the top hikes in Lake Tahoe.
Top Hikes in Lake Tahoe
Cave Rock
Head to the top of Cave Rock to enjoy a birds-eye panoramic view of the Lake Tahoe. The sunset views from Cave Rock are especially incredible.
If you are visiting for sunset, be sure to arrive early as parking for the trailhead is limited. Parking is free here.
The hike to Cave Rock is about 1 mile round trip. The final climb to the top is steep and rocky so we recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes.
Vikingsholm
Vikingsholm is a historic Scandinavian-inspired summer home that sits along the shore of Emerald Bay. The impressive mansion was constructed in the 1920’s by Lora Josephine Knight, along with the “Tea House” on nearby Fannette Island. Tours of the home are available.
To get here, park in the Vikingsholm parking lot or in one of the designated spots along Highway 28. From there, it’s a 1-mile hike down to the Vikingsholm mansion. The hike is steep so wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. The hike back to the parking lot is all uphill.
Rubicon Trail
The Rubicon Trail is a coastline hike that extends between Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay and D.L. Bliss State Park.
The trail is 6.5 miles long one-way. Some groups hike out-and-back and others arrange a shuttle for a one-way hike, but most visitors opt to hike a smaller section of the trail rather than the whole length.
The trail can be accessed from various points including Rubicon Trailhead North in D.L. Bliss State Park, Vikingsholm, and Eagle Point Campground.
Secret Cove
Secret Cove is one of the most scenic beaches in Lake Tahoe. Round granite boulders are scattered throughout the bright blue, crystal clear water.
To get to Secret Cove, park along side of Highway 28 and hike about 1 mile round trip. You can also opt to park at the Chimney Beach parking lot for a 2.5 mile round trip hike. Parking is free at either location. The hike is fairly steep so we recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes.
Note: Secret Cove is a nude beach. Clothing is optional so families beware, you may get more views than you expected!
Chimney Beach
Chimney Beach has a unique feature that happens to be its namesake – a chimney! The stone chimney is a remnant of a cabin that once stood there along the lake shore.
To get here, park at the Chimney Beach parking lot and hike about 1 mile round trip. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes for the hike since it’s fairly steep.
Bonsai Rock
Bonsai Rock is unique boulder that stands alone in Lake Tahoe and, against all odds, has small trees growing from its cracks.
The iconic Bonsai Rock can be reached by hiking or paddling boarding. To paddle board here, rent a SUP at Sand Harbor and paddle about 1 mile to Bonsai Rock. To hike here, park along Highway 89 and hiking down the footpaths to the shoreline. The hike is steep so we recommend wearing sturdy shoes.
Eagle Lake and Eagle Falls Trail
Located near Emerald Bay, the Eagle Lake & Eagle Falls Trail is about 2 miles roundtrip. This is a great hike to do after watching sunrise at Emerald Bay while waiting for the sun to fully come up and illuminate the blue water of Lake Tahoe.
If you visit Lake Tahoe in early summer, keep in mind that the upper part of the trail that leads to Eagle Lake may still be snowed out, though the lower potion of the trail that leads to the falls is likely clear. Check AllTrails for updated trail conditions before your hike.
Insider Secret: The most scenic view of Eagle Falls isn’t from the main trail – it’s the view of a lower portion of the falls from just below Highway 28! Seeing Eagle Falls from near the highway is a quick and easy must-do. After a very short scramble down from the highway, you’ll have stunning views of the lower falls and Emerald Bay.
Monkey Rock
Monkey Rock is a fairly steep 2.6 mile round trip hike near Incline Village on the northern part of Lake Tahoe. The trail is known for its namesake, a carved granite boulder that looks like a monkey, but there are also other interesting rock formations here as well. From the top, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Lake Tahoe.
East Shore Trail
East Shore Trail is a beautiful multi-use trail that runs along the eastern coastline of Tahoe. The 3-mile long trail is paved and provides access to Hidden Beach, Memorial Point, Emerald Cove and other points along the shore.
The views of the lake along the entire trail are beautiful. This trail is not to be missed!
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That concludes our list of the top hikes in Lake Tahoe. For more information to help you plan your Tahoe trip, check out our other posts:
- Lake Tahoe Packing List: Summer Vacation Edition
- Lake Tahoe 2 Day Itinerary: How to Spend a Long Summer Weekend on the Water
- Best Sunrise & Sunset Photography Spots in Lake Tahoe
- Top 10 Things to Do in Lake Tahoe This Summer
- The Best Beaches in Lake Tahoe for Your Summer Vacation