From the clear cobalt-blue waters of the natural lakes, to the remarkable enchantment of the mountains, the incomparable beauty of the Lake Tahoe area is unforgettable. Located on the border between California and Nevada, near Carson City, it is a premier destination for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.

Coordinates:  39° 06'15.61"N 120° 01'40.56'W

Google Earth - Get a bird’s eye view of Lake Tahoe. If you have Google Earth installed, you can double-click on the linked Placemark file and it will fly you to Lake Tahoe. If not, you will need to install Google Earth first (available at http://earth.google.com).

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Lake Tahoe Area Map

North & East Shore Hiking Trail Map

South Shore Hiking Trail Map

West Shore Hiking Trail Map

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Contrary to popular belief that Lake Tahoe is of volcanic origin, the Lake Tahoe Basin was actually formed by geologic faults.

During the Ice Age, huge glaciers grew in the surrounding mountains carving the broad U-shaped valleys of Emerald Bay, Fallen Leaf Lake and Cascade Lake.

Sixty-three streams flow into Lake Tahoe, but only one river (The Truckee) flows out of it.

The water in Lake Tahoe is very cold.  Depending on depth and season, the temperature ranges from 41 to 68 degrees F. At 600 feet below the surface the water stays a constant temperature of 39 degrees F.

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Tahoe region camping map

Tahoe region list of campgrounds

Historic Camp Richardson Resort

Campground by the Lake

Tahoe Pines Campground

Resorts & Lodges

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The Lake Tahoe region has hundreds of hiking trails.  Here are a few of our favorites:

• Moraine Trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Moraine Trail—located at the Fallen Leaf Campground near
  campsite #75.
• Elevation: 6,360'/6,410'
• Distance: 2 miles round trip

Easy trail through the forest and along the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake. No permit is required for day use.


• Glen Alpine Trail

• Difficulty: Easy to Strenuous
• Trailhead: Glen Alpine trailhead on Fallen Leaf Lake Road
• Elevation: 6,560'/9,735'
• Distance: 4 – 12 miles Round Trip
• Various hikes may be taken from this trailhead. View link for access:
• Permits required year-round for both day and overnight use.

Easy:  Grass Lake (2 miles), Susie Lake (2 miles), Gilmore Lake 3.9, Heather Lake (5 miles), Half Moon Lake (5.5 miles).

Moderate: Alta Morris Lake (5.5 miles), Lake Aloha (6 miles): Views of small waterfall, beautiful meadow and three alpine lakes.

Strenuous:  Mt. Tallac (6 miles)

• Mt. Tallac Trail
• Difficulty: First 2.5 miles is moderate, Strenuous beyond that
• Trailhead:  Mt. Tallac trailhead--located on Hwy 89, approximately 3.5 miles north of South Lake Tahoe. Look for the Mt. Tallac Trailhead sign directly across from the entrance to Baldwin Beach. Turn left down the dirt road and continue to the trailhead parking.
• Elevation: 6,480'/9,735'
• Distance: 10 miles Round Trip  .7 miles to Floating Isle, 2½ miles to Cathedral, 5 miles to Tallac

Spectacular views of Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness. The trail leads to Floating Island and Cathedral lakes and up the front face of Mt. Tallac. A wilderness permit is required and may be picked up at the Mt. Tallac trailhead.  Overnight permits must be acquired ahead of time from one of the following:

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - Visitor Center
Located three miles north of the Highway 50/89 junction at South Lake Tahoe, on Highway 89. Phone: (530) 543-2674

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - Forest Supervisor's Office
Located two miles east of the Highway 50/89 junction in South Lake Tahoe on Highway 50. From Hwy 50 turn right on Al Tahoe Blvd. and then turn right at first signal.
Phone: (530) 543-2600

Helpful hiking links:

Several other trails are located around Fallen Leaf Lake and can be accessed from Fallen Leaf Campground or from Fallen Leaf, Cathedral or Angora Roads.

- Hiking trail guide

- Desolation Wilderness Trail Destinations

- South shore cross-country skiing map

- South shore hiking trail map

- Nature Trails

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Entering Desolation Wilderness requires a hiking permit. Permits may be obtained year round at the Forest Service main office in South Lake Tahoe or during the summer at the Forest Service Visitor Center off of Highway 89. Day hikers may fill out a permit at the trailhead.

Printable guides:

Permits and quotas for the Desolation Wilderness.

Wilderness regulations

Wilderness zone and trailhead map

Zone quota list

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Weather conditions can change rapidly. Be prepared with the proper clothing and equipment, no matter how short the hike.

The Weather Channel:  Lake Tahoe, CA

Chamber of Commerce:  South Lake Tahoe Weather

Forest Service: Current Conditions (weather, fire, river, etc.)

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Tom Harrison’s Desolation Wilderness Trail Map, $8.95—available at Adventure 16

Hiking the Sierra Nevada by Barry Parr, $19.95—available at Adventure 16

Tahoe Screensaver

Vacation Planner

Backcountry Work Camps

Jobs

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Avalanche advisory (winter months)

Guidelines for visiting bear habitat

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Forest with a Future - Protecting old growth trees, wildlife and communities in the Sierra Nevada.

Pathway 2007 is a collaborative planning process working to chart a vision for the Tahoe environment for the next 20 years.

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Hiking, backpacking, and other wilderness activities, are potentially dangerous and unpredictable. Adventure 16 assumes no liability for injuries associated with the use of information provided on this site. The trails, activities and areas described on this site are to be used for informational purposes only and should not be your sole source of guidance. Always thoroughly research any outdoor area you plan to visit using various resources--including contacting local ranger stations--to obtain the most up to date information for your destination. Contact your physician if you are unsure about your health or physical abilities.