Rifle Peak

Incline Village, Nevada

Save Add Photo

Add Photo

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

3.75 miles

Elevation Gain

1795 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

This is a new adventure! Be the first to share your experience.

Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights.

Added by The Outbound Collective

Rifle Peak, located in Incline Village, Nevada, offers a challenging hiking trail that stretches for about 3.75 miles. The trail is rated as difficult due to its steep inclines and rocky terrain. Hikers should be prepared for a strenuous climb, but the reward is a panoramic view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. The trail begins at an elevation of roughly 7,000+ feet and ascends to the peak at over 9,000 feet. Along the way, hikers will pass through dense forests of pine and fir trees, cross several small streams, and navigate rocky outcroppings. The trail is well-marked with signs and markers, but hikers should still carry a map for navigation. The final stretch of the trail is a steep scramble up a rocky ridge to the summit. Here, hikers can take in the expansive views of the lake and mountains. The descent follows the same path back down to the trailhead. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes, carry plenty of water, and be prepared for sudden weather changes. Rifle Peak is a challenging but rewarding hike for those seeking a high-altitude adventure in Nevada.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Forest

Lake

Scenic

Wildlife

Rifle Peak Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Quick Hike and Photo Op at Stateline

This quick 2-mile RT hike takes you to a lookout point above the Stateline of California and Nevada. The road to the lookout is paved so beginners can make the trek to the top in the summer; winter covers the road with snow, so snowshoes or boots are recommended. The lookout offers spectacular views of North Lake Tahoe from Incline Village and the east shore to Tahoe City and the west shore. Th...

Walk to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout site

The hike up to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout above Lake Tahoe's Crystal Bay area is somewhat of a misnomer, as the fire lookout no longer exists. Instead, the path, which follows a paved forest road, up to the site where the tower once stood will bring hikers to a panoramic viewpoint that looks out over wide swaths of the northern Tahoe lakeshores. Start off by parking in a neighborhood t...

Bike or Take a Stroll along the Tahoe East Shore Trail

Lake Tahoe's East Shore Trail is a wide paved walking and cycling path running between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park. Opened in 2019, the path lies completely separate from the road, sometimes hovering well above it on the mountainside, and other times running parallel to it on a bridge platform that looks down upon the lake's emerald eastern shore. Spanning 2.75 miles point to poi...

Monkey Rock

Chicadee Ridge

Sledding Fun for the Whole Family

You can't miss this spot in the open snowfields of Tahoe Meadows. This area is not privately owned or maintained, which is perfect. It is a short drive up the Mt. Rose Highway from Reno and Sparks and there is plenty of free parking (except on super-busy days) right next to the sledding slopes and snowshoe trails. Dress warm and bring your own sled. A word of caution: the parking is along a maj...