Lake Tahoe is just 1 hour away from Cisco Grove Campground and offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels of expertise. Whether you're staying at our campground for a week or weekend, or just passing through Lake Tahoe, we recommend checking out one of the many hiking trails this city has to offer. Keep reading for beginner, advanced, and expert hiking trails near Lake Tahoe to find one that's perfect for you!

Hiking Trail #1: Eagle Falls Vista Point Loop — Beginner - 0.5 Miles

The Eagle Falls Vista Point Loop is a short, scenic hike with beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and Eagle Falls. Located near one of the area’s most popular destinations for camping near Lake Tahoe, this 0.5-mile loop is a great option for visitors looking for a quick scenic walk.

Hiking Trail #2: Cascade Falls Trail — Intermediate - 1.3 Miles

Cascade Falls Trail is a scenic hike through the forest that leads to a beautiful waterfall overlooking Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe. This short trail is a great addition to a Northern California camping trip for those looking to explore the area's natural beauty.

Hiking Trail #3: Eagle Lake Trail — Intermediate - 1.8 Miles

The Eagle Lake Trail takes hikers through the beautiful scenery of Emerald Bay, with waterfalls, granite formations, and an alpine lake along the way. At 1.8 miles, it's a great option for a shorter adventure when camping near Lake Tahoe.

Hiking Trail #4: Vikingsholm Trail — Intermediate - 1.7 Miles

The Vikingsholm Trail takes you from the overlook down to Emerald Bay and the historic Vikingsholm Castle. This 1.7-mile hike is a great option for campers staying at campgrounds near Lake Tahoe who want to spend a few hours exploring the area.

Hiking Trail #5: Vikingsholm Trail to Lower Eagle Falls — Intermediate - 2.5 Miles

This 2.5-mile trail combines the scenic Vikingsholm Trail with Lower Eagle Falls. The hike begins with a descent, meaning you'll have an uphill climb on the way back, but you'll get beautiful views of Emerald Bay and the waterfall along the route.It's a great hike to add to a Northern California camping getaway.

Hiking Trail #6: Emerald Point Trail — Intermediate - 5.1 Miles

The Emerald Point Trail follows the shoreline of Emerald Bay and offers beautiful views of Lake Tahoe along the way. This 5.1-mile hike travels through Emerald Bay State Park and provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the lake and surrounding scenery. It's a great choice for Lake Tahoe hiking if you're looking for a trail that combines scenic water views with a longer hike.

Hiking Trail #7: Granite Lake and Maggie's Peaks — Advanced - 4.1 Miles

For a more challenging Tahoe adventure, Granite Lake and Maggie's Peaks offers incredible views of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, Granite Lake, and Desolation Wilderness. The 4.1-mile trail has steep sections and typically takes around 3–4 hours to complete. For experienced hikers searching for the best hiking trails in Northern California, this trail offers plenty of scenery and a more challenging adventure.

Hiking Trail #8: Mount Tallac Trail — Advanced - 9.6 Miles

Mount Tallac Trail is one of the most well-known challenging hikes in the Lake Tahoe area. This 9.6-mile hike climbs to the summit of Mount Tallac, where hikers can take in panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, Fallen Leaf Lake, and the surrounding mountains.It's one of the standout Northern California hiking trails for experienced hikers looking for a challenging route with incredible mountain and lake views.

Hiking Trail #9: Eagle Falls Trail to Bayview Trail Junction — Advanced - 4.9 Miles

This 4.9-mile route takes hikers past Eagle Falls and toward the Bayview Trail Junction. The trail offers beautiful scenery and access to the surrounding Desolation Wilderness, with more challenging terrain as you continue farther from the waterfall.

Hiking Trail #10: Emerald Bay via Lighthouse and Rubicon Trail — Advanced - 16.5 Miles

The Emerald Bay via Lighthouse and Rubicon Trail is a long, challenging route along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe. The 16.5-mile trail travels between Emerald Bay State Park and D.L. Bliss State Park and offers beautiful lake, forest, and mountain scenery throughout the hike.

What are you waiting for?! It's time to explore one, multiple, or all of these Lake Tahoe hiking trails to top off your family getaway. Whether you're searching for hiking near Lake Tahoe, exploring Northern California hiking trails, or looking for some of the best hiking trails in Northern California, there's plenty to explore around the lake. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks! Book your stay now!