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Echo Lake, California

Looking for the best chillin in Echo Lake? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Echo Lake. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Echo Lake

  • Echo Lake, California

    Hike the Echo Lake Trail

    4.0
    5 mi / 688 ft gain
    The Echo Lakes Trail goes through California's Desolation Wilderness and features incredible views. This trail is rated as moderate, and is best for excited beginners or intermediate hikers. This hike takes roughly 3.5-4 hours. Dogs are allowed on trail if kept on leash. The trail is best used fr...
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  • Echo Lake, California

    Hike to Jabu Lake in Desolation Wilderness

    3.7
    Although this hike can be done as a day hike, there are incredible camping spots near the lake. The easiest way to start this hike is to start at the Echo Lakes. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option of taking a water taxi across the echo lakes to cut off around 2.5...
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  • Echo Lake, California

    Backpack to the "Waterfall Camp" in Desolation Wilderness

    4.7
    10.5 mi / 1522 ft gain
    Although this hike can be done as a day hike, it is an awesome place to camp. There is a lot to explore and you will want to spend as much there time as you can. The easiest way to start this hike is to start at the Echo Lakes. There is ample parking above the marina and you even have the option ...
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  • Echo Lake, California

    Hike Flagpole Peak from the bottom of Echo Summit

    3.5 mi / 1900 ft gain
    For this hike there are two places you can start from. One is at the Echo Lakes parking lot and the other is at the bottom of Echo Summit (where we started at). Parking at the gun tower at the bottom of Echo Summit you'll be looking right at the face of Flagpole. After parking just off the side o...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Cliff Jumping Paradise

    4.5
    If you choose to go cliff jumping, be safe and know your limits ahead of time. Don't feel like the big jump is your only option, there are lower jumps, especially across from the beach (only about 15ft. high). Angora Lake in Lake Tahoe is a easy 1mi hike up, but well worth it at the top. It's a b...
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  • Tahoma, California

    Hike to Half Moon Lake in Desolation Wilderness

    5.0
    11 mi / 1600 ft gain
    This hike starts at the Glen Alpine Trailhead near Fallen Leaf Lake. Because Desolation is a wilderness area, you are required to fill out a day-use permit which can be found at the trailhead. If you are backpacking make sure to obtain an overnight permit either online or at the Taylor Creek Visi...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Capture the Sunset at the Angora Ridge Fire Lookout

    The Angora Ridge Fire lookout sits above the serene Fallen Leaf Lake with incredible views of Mt. Tallac and Desolation Wilderness. You can hike, bike or drive to the lookout. This is a great spot to photograph the sunset, as the sky will reflect off both Fallen Leaf Lake and Lake Tahoe. Bring a ...
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  • Twin Bridges, California

    Hike Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon

    5.0
    7.4 mi / 4100 ft gain
    Pyramid Peak is the tallest peak in the Crystal Range and the Desolation Wilderness, just west of Lake Tahoe. On a clear day it can be seen from the Bay Area over 150 miles away. Named for its distinct shape, Pyramid a massive heap of glaciated granite slabs and talus, and the Rocky Canyon route ...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Hike the Fallen Leaf Lake Trail

    5.0
    8.1 mi / 859 ft gain
    The Fallen Leaf Lake Trail is located in South Lake Tahoe, California. It is important to note that there is no trail on the east side of the lake. The trail turns into a paved road when you reach the marina after passing the campground. Additionally, lots of small trails jut out from the main tr...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Photograph Fallen Leaf Lake's Cascading Falls

    5.0
    This amazing waterfall is right off the road near the Fallen Leaf Campground. Once you enter the campground keep driving straight just a bit further and you will see a pull off on the right hand side. Pull off here and you should see the cascading waterfalls between the trees. Park here, get you...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Camp at Fallen Leaf Lake

    5.0
    Fallen Leaf Lake is truly one of the more beautiful places in California. Separated from Lake Tahoe by just a one-mile strip of land, it feels worlds away from the crowds and fuss. The campground has over 200 sites that can be reserved here. There are endless hikes nearby including Mount Tallac a...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Catch a Sunset at Keys Beach

    Owned by the State of California, Keys Beach sits at the end of a peninsula bordered by the Tahoe Keys marina inlet to the west and the Upper Truckee River to the east. This relative isolation along with its only access being by water or a single trail keeps the beach remarkably quiet relative to...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Chillin at Lake Tahoe's Kiva Beach

    4.7
    Kiva is a secluded sandy crescent beach flanked by a beautiful meadow and mountain backdrop. This beach is rarely crowded and has free parking unlike other beaches in Tahoe. Kiva is a great place to bring dogs and is actually well known as a dog beach. Kiva is also accessible from the bike trail...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Baldwin Beach

    4.5
    Baldwin Beach offers a half mile of views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains. People come to this beach to relax and picnic. This is also a popular launch spot for those kayaking or stand up paddling to Emerald Bay.  This beach is on national forest land and has a parking fee of $8.00...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Cascade Falls

    4.8
    1.32 mi / 98 ft gain
    Starting out at the Bayview Trailhead you will make your way out through the campground towards the trail. Once you find the trail it is a simple way to the falls. It starts out as a wide trail and winds through the pine and fir trees. You will come to some stone steps as the trail narrows for th...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Backpack to Eagle Lake and Dick's Lake

    4.5
    13 mi / 1500 ft gain
    Get ready to get your lake on! This backpacking trip will take you 13+ miles through awesome scenery to several alpine lakes.Starting at the Bayview Campground, off of HWY 89, this hike follows the Granite Lake Trail along a difficult climb. Don't let the climb discourage you! As you climb, the v...
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