Biking to the Best Waterfalls in Lake Tahoe
While most people are captured by the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tahoe, the area is also home to dozens of waterfalls. From the 800 foot high Horsetail Falls to the cascading water of the aptly named Cascade Creek Falls, no trip to Lake Tahoe is complete without a visit to a waterfall.
There are waterfalls around South Lake Tahoe for every level of adventurer. Several are located right off the road while others offer the opportunity for a short bike ride or hike. Many of the most beautiful alpine waterfalls require you to bike or hike in upwards of 5 miles for a peaceful and one of a kind view. Here are some of the best local waterfalls you can bike to.
Lake Tahoe Waterfalls Accessible by Bike
Biking is one of the best ways to view waterfalls in South Lake Tahoe. Depending on the trail, biking can offer either a thrilling mountain biking experience or a more relaxed trip through pine forests and meadows. At the end, your effort is rewarded with views of plummeting waterfalls and the sound of roaring water.
Some of the top trails that are accessible by bike around South Lake Tahoe include:
Glen Alpine Falls - Glen Alpine Falls flows into Fallen Leaf Lake. Consisting of the upper falls that drop 30 feet and the even more impressive lower falls at 65 feet, the falls have a stair step-like drop for a cascading effect. You can park near the lower falls and bike the half mile to the upper falls, or bike to Fallen Leaf Lake from South Lake Tahoe.
Eagle Falls - Upper and Lower Eagle Falls are the most visited waterfalls in Lake Tahoe. It is a quarter mile to the lower falls and 1 mile to the upper falls, and both offer beautiful views of the falls and Emerald Bay. You can bike to the trailhead from South Lake Tahoe, but it is best to do so when traffic is light since the roads there can be narrow.
Van Sickle Bi-State Park Falls - Located on the Nevada-California border, this state park offers a peaceful retreat from the downtown area. Once in the park, the ride to the falls is 2.1 miles round trip with a nice challenge in the 600 foot climb. You can also bike there along the roads from South Lake Tahoe in about 30 minutes.
Most of the area’s waterfalls are best viewed between April and June when snowmelt makes the falls full, although many will have at least some water throughout the summer. At all times of the year, always remember to use caution around falls and wait to go swimming until you get back down to Lake Tahoe.
Pine Nut Cycle Cafe offers bike rentals in South Lake Tahoe for convenient biking to these destinations and more. We offer eBikes and standard bikes for rent at affordable prices and our South Lake Tahoe cafe offers convenient access to the trailheads for these waterfalls. Learn more about our bike rental options and rent a bike on our website.
