Tahoe Family Hike

Rubicon Trail from D.L. Bliss State Park to Emerald Bay

This trail is suitable for children and swimming.(NOTE: Vikingsholm up to Highway 89 us a steep mile but the hearty can return along the highway instead of doubling back on the trail.) Handicap accommodations are available with advance reservation. State Park fee: $5 per vehicle. No dogs are allowed on the trails in state parks. Call (530) 525-7077 for information.Description: Easy. Nine miles round trip with 200 feet elevation gain. The Rubicon Trail is easiest from D.L. Bliss State Park to Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay and back. Fee per vehicle at Bliss Park. Fee for guided Vikingsholm tours, June-Labor Day.Directions: On Hwy... 89 10 miles north of the South Tahoe Y and 16 miles south of the Tahoe City Y. Drive into the park to the Calawee Cove parking lot at the edge of the lake.


This was a great hike!  The views are breathtaking and take you high above the Lake.  We only hiked a portion of it with the 9 and 11-year old and it was lovely!

Horsetail Falls in Tahoe

Horsetail Falls
Best seen in early summer when High Sierra snowmelt gushes down this granite slide, Horsetail Falls is certainly one of the most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls in the Tahoe area. Park in the well-marked Pyramid Creek trailhead on the north side of Highway 50 (left for eastbound travelers) a mile or so east of Strawberry Lodge in the small village of Twin Bridges. Follow a single track trail through a small forest before emerging on the series of steep, granite slabs leading to a pool at the base of the falls which is the turnaround point, 3 miles roundtrip. Use extreme caution of wet rocks.

A lovely shady hike for the most part.

Difficulty: Fun and pretty easy to some sparkling pools, a little more sporting up to the base of the falls.  Continue alongside the falls for a real adventure.
Best for: Waterfalls, scrambling and water play.