Best Lake Tahoe Hikes with Kids

Hiking is a wonderful all-family activity. When kids are very young and can fit in a backpack, any hike is fair game as long as you pack food and don’t overestimate your endurance to carry the extra pounds. When kids start walking, selecting kid-friendly hikes is essential, although it’s amazing how far motivated school-age kids can go.

Lake Tahoe is one of my all-time favorite summer hiking destinations with kids given the wide range of distances available to fantastic end-points.

The Rubicon Trail hike along Lake Tahoe. Photo by ddub3429/Shutterstock.com

Top Family-Friendly Lake Tahoe Hikes

Rubicon Trail in DL Bliss State Park

The Rubicon Trail hugs one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in all of Lake Tahoe. Park at Calawee Cove Beach in DL Bliss State Park (a fantastic sandy beach) and hike down a moderately graded trail with incredible views of the water and mountain scenery. You can walk all the way to Emerald Bay from here — too long for young kids, but a timed jaunt down the trail and back to the beach will be fun for all. Note that there are very steep drops on this trail; it has safety ropes, but this is not a good place for toddlers.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Tahoe Meadows Whole Access Trail on Mt. Rose Highway

The Tahoe Meadows Whole Access Trail is a wheelchair-accessible trail that provides a fine opportunity to experience a part of verdant, subalpine Tahoe Meadows. Not only will those who use wheelchairs enjoy this loop, but families with small children will appreciate the wide, gently graded 1.3-mile path as well. The trail loops around Tahoe Meadows’ northeast finger, exposing hikers to a lush meadowland environment full of plants, wildflowers and trickling streams and bordered by a light forest of lodgepole pines. Slide Mountain and Mt. Rose make for a picturesque backdrop to the scenery-rich fields.

Snow usually clears out of Tahoe Meadows by the end of June, allowing vivid wildflower displays from mid-July through August. Without the flowers, the hiking season continues until the first significant snowfall, usually in early November.

Recommended for all ages.

Eagle Lake

The Eagle Lake Trail is one of the most popular at Lake Tahoe. It has everything: stunning lake vistas, waterfalls, a river, a bridge, a climb, spectacular forest and mountain views, and a gem of a lake at the end of the trail. Because this trail does have a vertical climb to it, it’s not well suited for younger children. During summer, you will definitely find other people on the trail. Pack a lunch; there’s room to spread out and this is a wonderful place to relax for a few hours or a day.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Taylor Creek Rainbow Trail and Stream Profile Chamber

This leisurely 1-mile loop meanders through meadow and marsh areas, with pines and aspens along the route. A portion of the trail runs adjacent to Taylor Creek and offers the unique stream profile chamber, which includes an “underwater” view of the river through a glass window, replete with trout and Kokanee salmon. Kids love it! Note, it’s open only during summer.

Other fun and educational spots lie along the trail as well. Bald eagles sometimes frequent the area; during autumn, the Kokanee salmon return to the river to spawn, turning the clear waters to a sea of red. It’s a sight to behold. With the aspens in the area, this is a great place to enjoy fall color too. After your hike, head to nearby Kiva Beach or the historic Valhalla area for a picnic on the shore.

Recommended for all ages.

Spooner Lake Loop

A scenic 2-mile loop around Spooner Lake offers a relatively level trail with enough diversity to keep kids entertained. The west and south shore portions of the trail take hikers through pines and aspens, a shady relief during warm summer days. Fishermen often dot the edges of the lake, sometimes floating in inflatable boats. Several places along the shore are suitable for a picnic or rest stop, and at the beginning (or end) of the hike is a nice picnic area with tables, grills and restrooms. You’ll encounter many mountain bikers heading up the nearby Marlette Lake Trail to tackle the famous Flume Trail, but they won’t be riding the loop trail.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Shirley Canyon

In Shirley Canyon, you don’t need to go too far up the trail to feel like you are a world away from the Squaw Valley ski area. There are wonderful swimming holes for older kids and big boulders to climb. Note that some steep sections higher up aren’t kid-appropriate, but farther down, the creek (when it’s flowing) is perfect for a family excursion. Be aware that young kids need constant supervision here.

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Angora Lakes

Hikers can reach Angora Lakes via a short trail, just half a mile. This is one of the region’s best swimming lakes, and the drive into this area is scenic as well.

Recommended for all ages.

Tahoe East Shore Trail

This spectacular 3-mile paved trail runs from Incline Village on the north shore of Lake Tahoe to Sand Harbor State Park. In addition to the incredible mountain and lake views from the path, what makes it special is that families can meander down paths to the water and, in a few places, sandy beaches! The East Shore Trail is truly one of Tahoe’s magical places. Park along State Route 28 near Ponderosa Ranch Road.

Recommended for all ages.

Where to Stay at Lake Tahoe with Kids

From the Resort at Squaw Creek to The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, to Edgewood Tahoe Resort on the South Shore, there are a number of wonderful resorts with extensive amenities for families. These properties are vastly different from one another, and our team of Family Travel Advisors can help navigate the differences, as well as access special perks and packages.

It can also be wonderful to rent a home for the week with more space, privacy and a kitchen for home-cooked meals. Our team knows the best Lake Tahoe property rental agencies, particularly for families who want luxury accommodations. Want help booking a stay? Call us!

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly activities and accommodations in Lake Tahoe on Ciao Bambino

An insider’s guide to Lake Tahoe ski resorts with kids

Best family ski resorts in the U.S. for year-round fun

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.