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South Lake Tahoe, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near South Lake Tahoe

  • Placerville, California

    Rock Climb the Cosumnes River Gorge

    5.0
    Consumes River Gorge is a good climbing spot that is relativity close to Sacramento, California. it is located just outside of Placerville, California, making it a must-stop climbing spot for any Sacramento or Eldorado county local. The climbing spot boasts granite climbing areas with over a hund...
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  • Reno, Nevada

    Miners Trail to The "N"

    3.5
    1.89 mi / 371 ft gain
    Miners Trail to The "N" is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Reno, Nevada.
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  • Sparks, Nevada

    Sparks Marina Loop

    3.0
    1.94 mi / 30 ft gain
    Sparks Marina Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Sparks, Nevada.
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  • Nevada City, California

    Emerald Pools

    4.0
    0.68 mi / 49 ft gain
    Emerald Pools is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Emigrant Gap, California.
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock

    21.6 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an ea...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Climb Granite Dome via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes

    25 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite D...
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  • Foresthill, California

    Explore Sugar Pine Reservoir

    4.3
    Just a few miles north of Foresthill, Sugar Pine is a lesser known reservoir found in Placer County that is surprisingly unpopulated for how much the park provides. A swim suit, some friends, and some good music can be all it takes to have a good time.There is a boat-launching station that is eas...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass

    3.0
    35.45 mi / 4895 ft gain
    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Alta, California.
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  • Highway 108, California

    Backpack to Blue Canyon Lake

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 1280 ft gain
    Trailhead Coordinates: 38º 19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8897ftThe trail is kind of tricky to find. It is West of the PCT trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked. You park along the side of Hwy 108 and scramble down an embankment where a creek flows at the bottom. Cross this creek and you ...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Hike to Deadman Lake

    6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Start: 38º19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. The hike is very steep in certain are...
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  • Mono County, California

    Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest

    4.0
    7.44 mi / 1385 ft gain
    Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. Leavitt Lake is located at the end of Forest Service Route 077 off of Highway 108. It is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, but a high clearance vehicle is requi...
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  • Arnold, California

    Hike the North Grove Trail in Calaveras Big Trees SP

    5.0
    1.7 mi / 40 ft gain
    When thinking of the iconic Sequoias of the Sierra Nevada, one usually thinks of Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. However, there is a often forgotten area of Giant Sierra Redwoods that gets far less traffic than the more popular groves. The North Grove Trail takes you through a grove of over 1...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Backpack to Lower Rock Lake

    3 mi / 713 ft gain
    This adventure begins at the Lindsey Lake Campground parking lot (6,200 feet) where you leave your vehicle, takes you three miles up a trail rife with amazing photo opportunities and seasonal wildlife, and ends on the shore of Lower Rock Lake. Here you will find a dispersed camping site owned by ...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Hike the South Grove Trail in Big Trees SP

    3.7
    5 mi / 560 ft gain
    The South Grove Trail of Calaveras Big Trees State Park sees far less traffic than the North Grove due to its increased mileage and distance from the park entrance. The trail starts at the South Grove Trail head which is located nine miles east of the entrance on the main park road. The trailhead...
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