A great way to experience a bit of all the scenery the area has to offer is by going hiking in Lake Tahoe. While some of the trails are best for experienced trekkers, there are plenty that are suitable for beginners and even those hiking with kids (whether they can walk themselves or not).
If you’re ready to hit the trails, keep reading for our favorite Lake Tahoe hiking trails to experience with kids.
Best hiking trails for kids in South Lake Tahoe
Pope-Baldwin Bike Path
Trail length: Approximately 6.8 miles out and back
The Pope Baldwin Bike Path is paved, smooth and about six feet wide. It’s also one of the best hiking trails in South Lake Tahoe for strollers and wheelchair users. The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path is mostly flat, meandering through evergreen forests near the lake. There are tables and benches along the way for picnics or for resting. Try not to be in a hurry because you’ll pass by points of interest like Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina and the Tallac Historic Site. Perhaps best of all, the trail provides access to two of Lake Tahoe’s best public beaches, Pope Beach and Baldwin Beach.
Find it: Park at Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Visitor Center Road, State Route 89 North, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150; 530-543-2674
A woman and her daughter pick wild blueberries while hiking in the forest.
pluto_art_lab/Getty ImagesEagle Falls Trail
Trail length: About one mile out and back
The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority calls the hike to Eagle Falls a great one for beginners, while its length and sheer beauty make it a good one for young kids on their first trails. The tourism bureau says the trailhead starts from the parking lot of the Eagle Falls picnic area. The first quarter-mile slopes gently uphill past rocky peaks, tall forests and rich vegetation. For the last quarter-mile of the hike, hikers will climb granite stairs carved directly into the rock face until they reach two beautiful waterfalls.
Please note that if you plan to continue past the falls to the spectacular Eagle Lake, the trail becomes significantly more challenging and you’ll need to pick up a free Desolation Wilderness permit at the trailhead.
Find it: Follow Highway 89 North approximately eight miles from South Lake Tahoe to the Eagle Falls picnic area to reach the trailhead. Parking fees apply.
Getting kids out into nature is not a chore when the destination is Lake Tahoe — the best hiking trails reveal the beauty of the region’s lakes, mountains, waterfalls and forests.
AshleyWiley/Getty ImagesAngora Lakes Trail
Trail length: Approximately one mile out and back
Angora Lakes Trail leads to two small lakes flanked by stone cliffs. It offers a dramatic view and makes a popular place for cliff diving and swimming. You’ll also find a sandy beach for picnics and sunbathing. From June through September, the historic Angora Lakes Resort operates a small restaurant famous for its fresh-squeezed lemonade that any little hiker will love. The resort also offers boat rentals: kayaks, rowboats and paddleboards. It’s free to visit the lakes but be aware there’s a $10 parking fee, currently payable via cash or check.
The mile-long out-and-back trail is generally considered to be an easy hike, but the approach is uphill the entire way. The trail is soft and sandy with a few rocky spots, so sturdy shoes are a must. The lakes are extremely popular in summer. so it’s best to arrive before 10 a.m. to snag a parking place and a spot on the beach before it gets too crowded.
Find it: Angora Lakes Resort, Angora Ridge Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150; 530-541-2092
Vikingsholm Trail
Trail length: Approximately two miles out and back
The Vikingsholm Trail has some of the most breathtaking views in all of Lake Tahoe — and that’s saying something. To find it, park at the Harvey West parking lot at Emerald Bay State Park (there’s a fee to park) and walk to the stone overlook. From the top, you’ll be afforded sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Fannette Island. The hike to Vikingsholm Castle is steep and downhill, with a 500-foot drop in elevation (in other words, it’s a steep trek back to the top), making it a tough one for young kids but great for bigger ones. Tours of the castle are available all summer into September.
Find it: Vikingsholm Trail, Highway 89 South, Emerald Bay, CA 96142
Imagine a path through a forest full of chickadees singing. Now imagine experiencing that with your kids along the Jessie’s Peak/Chickadee Ridge trail in North Lake Tahoe.
lauraag/Getty Images/iStockphotoBest hiking trails for kids in North Lake Tahoe
Jessie’s Peak/Chickadee Ridge
Trail length: Approximately four miles out and back
One of the most unique hikes in Lake Tahoe comes with ethical issues. Referred to by locals as Jessie’s Peak or Chickadee Ridge, the hike leads to a forest filled with mountain chickadees. The birds are so accustomed to human visitors that they frequently descend onto your shoulders and eat birdseed from the palm of your hand. It’s the type of magical experience normally reserved for Disney princesses. However, this is where the ethical dillema comes in.
Although it isn’t illegal to feed wild birds, it obviously isn’t natural for them to lose their fear of humans. There are legitimate questions to be asked about whether or not this is good for the birds and if the chickadees might be better off if we just admired them from a distance. A forest awash with tiny birds is still pretty enchanting, after all, even if they don’t treat you like Cinderella. Another cool thing? You’ll also be treated to panoramic vistas of the lake when you get to the ridge.
Find it: You can take several routes to Chickadee Ridge. The easiest way to find it is to leave Incline Village and drive towards Reno on Mount Rose Highway/Nevada State Route 431. After approximately 6 ½ miles, you’ll see a large meadow to your right (in winter it’s likely to be full of cross-country skiers, while in summer, it may be covered with a patchwork of colorful wildflowers). There is plenty of free parking along the road.
You’ll see Chickadee Ridge on the far end of the meadow, poking from the side of a hill that’s like a long finger. Make your way across the meadow towards the ridge. There isn’t a particular path to get there, but in winter, it may be easier to follow the trail of people who were kind enough to pack down the snow when they came before you. When you get to the base of the ridge, start climbing. The hill is fairly steep so expect your legs to burn a bit if you’re not a regular hiker. The trees aren’t particularly dense so aside from the elevation gain, it’s an easy trek to immerse yourself in the world of the chickadees on the ridge.
Tahoe East Shore Trail
Trail length: three miles from point to point
The Tahoe East Shore trail is a recently added trek and one of the best hiking trails for kids and even babies in the north Lake Tahoe region. The paved, flat trail is 10 feet wide and an excellent option for strollers and wheelchair users. The path opened in 2019, connecting Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park. Visitors to the trail can expect spectacular views of the lake and mountains, and along the way, encounter dozens of panels interpreting the history of the area, as well as information about local flora and fauna. There are also opportunities to access the beach from the trail.
Find it: Tahoe East Shore Trail, 1115 Tunnel Creek Road, Incline Village, NV 89451
Please note that a fee applies for the parking lots. Otherwise, TART Connect, north Lake Tahoe’s free microtransit service is available in the summer.
This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].