Van Sickle Bi-State Park: Lake Tahoe’s Newest State Park
In a joint effort between Nevada State Parks and California Tahoe Conservancy, Van Sickle Bi-State Park opened in 2011. The nearly 600 acre park spans California and Nevada and offers an extensive network of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
The park is only a few minutes from Heavenly, but will leave you feeling like you are miles from civilization as you enjoy the peaceful forests, plunging waterfalls, and bird’s eye views of Lake Tahoe. Van Sickle is a great destination for those visiting South Lake Tahoe who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the area without the crowds.
Best Biking Trails in Van Sickle Bi-State Park
The miles of trails in Van Sickle offer both unpaved trails and paved roads, making the park ideal for cyclists of all skill levels. The trails all connect as well to let you customize your route through the park. Top destinations include:
Barn Trail - This trail departs from the parking area on the California side of the park. It is 0.6 miles one way and takes you through a lupine meadow in the early summertime.
Cal-Neva Loop - Visit two states in one ride. Use the paved access road or Barn Trail to get to this 1.1 mile loop that crosses the state line to take you through Nevada and California.
Vista Spur - At the end of the Vista Spur, you will see the Tahoe area’s iconic granite outcroppings, Lake Tahoe, and the city. The spur is a short 0.1 mile stretch reachable by the Cal-Neva Loop, Rim Trail Connector, or paved access road.
Rim Trail Connector - For a more challenging bike ride, take this 1.3 mile trail up 600 feet of elevation to a waterfall and views of Lake Tahoe. The trail starts from the Nevada parking lot or can be accessed by other trails in the park.
For avid mountain bikers, you can continue onto the Tahoe Rim Trail via the Connector Trail if you want to add onto your journey, although you should note that the rim trail is only open to standard bicycles, not eBikes.
If you want to see the beautiful meadows, pine forests, and stunning vistas of the lake by bike, rent an eBike in South Lake Tahoe from Pine Nut Cycle Cafe. Our eBikes are simple and fun to ride for both new and experienced cyclists with pedal assist to help you navigate longer rides and the hills around Lake Tahoe. The park entrance is about a 30 minute bike ride from our cafe with plenty of great sites, restaurants, and shopping stops along the way.
Get more information about our eBike rentals in South Lake Tahoe and reserve a bike for your trip on our website.
