Best Lake Trails in Tahoe National Forest

We went while there was still snow in May. This was a beautiful hike even though I didn’t see any wildflowers. There was a huge river running down blocking the other side of the trail about 2 miles in. Fantastic hike!!!!

Very nice. Easy to follow. Creek is pretty in places. Lake is beautiful. Entrance right on 89. Directions will take you to a different way in but you'd need an off road vehicle. Crowded and LOTS of dogs off leash.

Great to take your dog here. Great hike and easy for kids.

Camas Lilies are just starting to open. Maybe next week the will al be open.

Love this trail into Round Lake from Carr lake. The drive is tough up to Carr for the last couple miles. But the hike in is easy and beautiful. Round Lake is kind of secluded and hidden from the wind. A great place to base camp and explore from.

This trail will be GREAT in about a month. It’s got great elevation gain and beautiful views, but you can hear the freeway for much of the hike. When I went in early May and there was enough snow that I started to post hole in places. Once my feet got cold and wet I turned around. I would definitely try this hike again when it’s not covered in snow.

Beautiful view of the water awaits you at the turn around point of this out and back trail. You can walk along the waters edge to the
South and connect with the Emigrant Trail to make this a large loop.

My favorite place!

Exceptional Single track flow. Well kept, beautiful views and easy access. Small berms on many of the turns make for some fast sections. Easily doable if not preferable on Hardtail but having the full squish was nice on the way back.

Nice walk up to the first snowfields, but had trouble finding the trail. Trust the footprints in the snow to keep you on track. Got as far as the first lake, but the snow started to get rotten and we turned back to avoid post holing. Only saw a couple other hikers.

Fantastic hike as always. Still a few feet of snow beyond the railroad (as of May 5, 2018), but getting up to the first lake is entirely doable in waterproof shoes or boots.

Fantastic easy hike! I agree with other reviews. Muddy meadow early in the season, great for dogs who love the water. Listed as a loop, but we didn’t see where the loop went after the lake, so we made it an out-and-back. Also, the description here says that dogs must be leashed, but I didn’t see any signs saying this, so watch out for off-leash dogs. (Most) everyone we encountered with dogs were nice enough to leash their dog when they saw us.

Great time to hike this trail. Limited muddy areas. Wildflowers are just starting.

Sadly completely covered in snow. Looks like a great trail... will check back in a month or so.

I love this early season hike. Very easy. Trail was muddy in spots due to early season. The meadows are very muddy. But beautiful.

Breathtaking !!! My fave place soo far.

DONT TAKE IOWA HILL RD FROM COLFAX TO GET THERE!!!
Great loop, but the back side of the trail from the dam to the day use area has alot of fallen trees and debris on alot of the trail. about 1/4 mile in from the dam a huge fallen tree has taken out almost all of the trail. After that though pretty smooth sailing. Park at the boat launch and take trail to the right all paved for about a mile and a half good out and back if you dont want to do the whole loop.
Over all great trail, would recommend and do it again.

Super easy hike. The driving directions to the trailhead are wrong the actual trail head is right off of Highway 89. Beautiful wildflowers a little bit muddy

Definitely take I80 to the Foresthill exit- longer ride but much more relaxing. We walked the entire lake and it’s almost 5 miles (not the 3.5 that we were expecting). The trail starts at the bottom on the boat ramp. The unpaved trail still needs a lot of tree removal and trail repair. Stay on the paved trail and go in/out unless you want adventure! Very beautiful and quiet.

Great hike. Still a lot of snow to trek through.

Our family has enjoyed this both as a day-hike and as an overnight.

This is a beautiful canyon. We have enjoyed hiking here for many years, sometimes on the trail, and in the dry season straight up the creek in sections. The first hike to high camp with the return cable car ride was a good day spent with my children, the youngest was eight. It is a good time spent even if you just play somewhere along the way. The unfortunate thing about hiking here in the last couple of years is how many dog poop bags owners leave behind. I love hiking here with my dog too, and I encourage all dog owners to keep it clean so our pups continue to be welcomed.

Great trail. Very peaceful. They are currently doing some tree cutting, so part of the trail is blocked off. Trail goes around the entire lake.

This is one of my most favorite trails. I always go counterclockwise. Be mindful of the time of year you're going - because it crosses through Sugarbowl, you'll need an Uphill pass to stay on the trail during ski season.

Did this hike last weekend. BEAUTIFUL! Definitely needed the 4wheel drive because of the snow to get to the trail head. Left the snow shoes in the truck but could have used them at certain points. Camp ground bathroom at the second lake you come to. Can't wait to come back in the summer!

As others have mentioned, trail is a little hard to follow at first. look for footprints in the snow and cairns. Lots of ice on the trail, recommend yaktrax. Snow is deeper after the foot bridge. I turned around just below the first lake as the trail disappeared and I began postholing to my knees, snowshoes would be helpful here. Fairly strenuous trail and good views along the way. Dog loved it and I was the only one there on a Tuesday.

I love this hike year around! We have gone in everything from stormy and white out to hot and sunny weather. Sitting where you can see Donner Lake and eat lunch is a treat. I have missed the turn to the lakes which is not marked and advise using GPS. It is my favorite place to take beginners and kids.

Picturesque easy hike. It is walkable now (Feb. 10!) but very muddy with icy spots.

Peaceful trail, beautiful. It is not always accessible if has snowed. Easy for kids & beginners.

The only reason this hike/walk didn’t get 5 stars was due to the drive required to get here. Long, lots of sharp turns and bends, hard on the car, only room for one car at times. But the lake is wonderful, path fantastic! Clearly marked, well maintained. Just a great way to spend a day off!