Sierra Nevada

1 forest, 8 trails

National Forests

Tahoe National Forest

Complete guide to Tahoe National Forest in California. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, seasonal tips, and everything you need to plan your trip.

12 min read

Trails

out-and-back

Castle Peak Trail

6 mi1,800 ft gain

July through October

Guide to the Castle Peak Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 6-mile out-and-back from the Boreal trailhead at Donner Summit to the 9,103-foot summit of Castle Peak, with Pacific Crest Trail access.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Five Lakes Trail

4.6 mi1,089 ft gain

June through October

Guide to the Five Lakes Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 4.6-mile out-and-back from Alpine Meadows Road into the Granite Chief Wilderness, with nearly all elevation gain in the first mile.

6 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Granite Chief Trail

6.8 mi1,965 ft gain

July through October

Guide to the Granite Chief Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 6.8-mile out-and-back to the 9,019-foot summit of Granite Chief, the high point of the Granite Chief Wilderness above Palisades Tahoe.

6 min read

loop

Grouse Ridge Trail

10.1 mi1,633 ft gain

July through October

Guide to the Grouse Ridge Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 10.1-mile loop from the Grouse Ridge trailhead through the Gold Lakes Basin, passing Milk Lake, Island Lake, Long Lake, and Glacier Lake.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Loch Leven Lakes Trail

7.5 mi1,538 ft gain

June through October

Guide to the Loch Leven Lakes Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 7.5-mile out-and-back from the I-80 corridor through pine and granite terrain to three alpine lakes between 6,800 and 6,900 feet.

6 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Palisade Creek Trail

12.7 mi2,585 ft gain

July through September

Guide to the Palisade Creek Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 12.7-mile out-and-back from French Meadows Reservoir into a remote granite canyon draining the Granite Chief Wilderness.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

Round Lake Trail

4.5 mi500 ft gain

June through October

Guide to the Round Lake Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. An easy 4.5-mile out-and-back from the Carr Lake trailhead through the Gold Lakes Basin to Round Lake at 7,000 feet.

6 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail

5 mi1,571 ft gain

June through October

Guide to the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail in Tahoe National Forest, California. A 5-mile out-and-back climb to an operational fire lookout at 8,587 feet, capped by a ladder-ascent to a 360-degree summit view.

7 min read