If you’re a Sacramento local, then there’s a chance you’ve vacationed at beautiful Lake Tahoe more than once. Not only is it the largest alpine lake in North America, Tahoe’s glistening blue waters and stunning pines are a magical sight that must be experienced in-person! 

Here are the top 8 family-friendly hikes for your next Lake Tahoe adventure. P.S. - Did you know the lake's water is the clearest its been in the last 40 years!

1. The Rubicon Trail | South Lake Tahoe | $10 Parking Fee

The Rubicon Trail bridges two beautiful national parks and offers serene views of the Tahoe area. It’s 4.5 miles long one way, so make sure you prepare for a longer hike if you’re planning a round trip. You can expect to see spectacular views of turquoise waters and pine-filled vistas.

A note of caution—this is a fairly popular trail. We recommend visiting on a weekday or early in the morning to avoid tourist crowds.

2. Taylor Creek | South Lake Tahoe | $10 Parking Fee

This creek is located south of Lake Tahoe and features fabulous fall foliage and stunning spring wildflowers. If you visit during the autumn months, keep an eye out for salmon swimming up the creek. While there are multiple trails open year-round, we recommend the Rainbow Trail for kids. It’s a half-mile and pretty flat, but you can check out the other Taylor Creek hikes if you want to challenge yourself.

3. Balancing Rock Trail | South/West Lake Tahoe | $10 Parking Fee

You can expect to see plenty of natural wonders on this hike! Balancing Rock is a great family-friendly trail in D.L. Bliss State Park and offers wonderful rocks to climb on with a large 130-ton rock balancing on a small granite base as the main attraction. There’s plenty for the kiddos to see on this hike, so give it a try on your next Tahoe visit.

4. Eagle Rock Hiking Trail | West Lake Tahoe | Free

This is a shorter hike that climbs steadily but offers a fantastic view of the lake as a reward. Overall, you can expect this trail to take about 20 minutes from beginning to end, making it the perfect length for kids and won’t require piggyback rides. However, there isn’t any designated parking, so keep an eye for cars parked on the road opposite from the lake.

5. High Camp Loop at Squaw | West of Lake Tahoe | $8-$34 for Tram Ride

Squaw Valley is a wonderful location to visit in the Tahoe area. Take the aerial tram to High Camp to visit a beautiful mountain top with plenty of activities for families ranging from outdoor games to an Olympic Museum. There are many trails up here in High Camp, but we recommend the High Camp Loop that’s 1.25 miles but mostly flat for the majority of the trail.

6. Shirley Canyon Trail | West of Lake Tahoe | $8-$34 for Tram Ride

This is another High Camp trail located just outside the Village at Squaw. For those of you willing to venture out on a longer path, you can expect to see a waterfall on this 4-mile climb. Some families will stop at the first sign of the waterfall and turn back for a quicker trip.

7. Dolder Nature Trail | West Lake Tahoe | $10 Park Entrance Fee

Are you wanting a hike with serene views but little foot traffic? Give this one a try. This trail is 2 miles and weaves in and out of the forest along the shore of Lake Tahoe—but there’s a reason why it’s considered a nature walk. This “hike” remains flat for the majority of the trail, but you can still expect stunning summer wildflowers with very few prying eyes with this best-kept Tahoe secret.

8. Donner Lake | North/West of Lake Tahoe | $5 Park Entrance Fee

For another quiet trail, visit the Donner Trail that stretches from the parking lot to the glistening lake. Not many people venture out to this destination, but it offers wonderful sights to see and an educational exhibit about the history of the Donner Party.

As your Sacramento experts, we’re always happy to provide referrals and recommendations to our clients. From vacation rentals to doctors to painters, we want you to feel not only at home in the Greater Sacramento Area, but to feel like a local. Reach out to our team today for more vacation destinations and recommendations.