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    Spooner Lake Trailhead

    4.9 (20 reviews)

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    Path through Aspen grove
    Nancy V.

    One of my favorite fall destinations. The aspen grove along the southern side of the lake feels like walking through an enchanted forest. We came up for a hike in mid-October on a weekday; arguably one of the best times to come to the Tahoe Basin. The fall colors are beautiful, the weather is very comfortable, and the number of visitors is greatly diminished. The Park Service is doing a huge upgrade to the picnic and parking area. The bathrooms are closed, but there are port-a-potties available. The improvements should make this portion of the park more ADA accessible. The paths down to the lake are well marked and the 2-mile loop trail is mostly flat with a few easy changes in elevation. The trail, however, is not ADA accessible. Lots of spots to see the mixed pine and aspen forest, numerous birds and waterfowl. The views across the lake are stunning and there are so many spots to take share-worthy pictures. The trail is a mix of shade and sunlight - layers are definitely recommended as is appropriate footwear. There are numerous benches and information plaques along the trail. Parking is free if you have an annual Nevada Parks Pass. The entrance gate was unmanned, so it is very much honor code for paying the entry fee. I highly recommend this trail AND I highly recommend getting a State Parks Pass. It pays for itself after only a few visits to the parks and trailheads throughout Nevada.

    Tara T.

    It started out as just a little stroll through the woods to clear my head from some personal stuff that's happening in my life. I always walk/hike/run with gum so I put a few extra pieces in my pocket. Initially, I just wanted to walk the two mile loop around Spooner Lake, but it was SUCH a pretty fall day that I had to continue onto Marlette Lake trail from Spooner. I was feeling fine, not thirsty and not needing to use the restroom so I was good to go for as long as I could. After 5.5 miles one way, I saw the beautiful blue lake, took some pictures, and made it back to my car at about 11 miles total. The last 5 minutes I started to get a little parched and was happy there was a huge bottle of iced water in my car. What a stunning solo day out in the woods.

    Kimberly N.

    We wanted to go on a nice and easy Father's Day hike and that's exactly what we got at this Spooner Lake 2.1 mile loop trail. We had our very old dog with us and she can't do hilly hikes anymore so this fairly flat and pretty trail was perfect for us. Someone in another review complained about downed trees obstructing the path but everything has now been cut away and cleared. There were beautiful wild flowers in bloom! And you can "smell" spring and summer now as you walk along and encounter sweet-smelling yellow bitterbrush flowers and the butterscotch/vanilla scent of ponderosa pines. At one point, I smelled licorice and learned that it was likely coming from a flowering plant called Gray's licorice-root. There are a few benches along the path for resting while taking in the nice views. And if you fish, you can try to catch some trout! The trail can be a little dusty at times so wear appropriate shoes. Parking costs $10 for locals.

    July 17, 2017.
    Sabrina B.

    I've driven past this Trailhead / area almost every weekend in winter and most weekends in summer on my way to snowboard or lounge in Tahoe. I was looking for a casual hike and to satisfy my curiosities of the area. I arrived and found the toll booth vacant. I grabbed an envelope and tossed my cash inside - $10 per vehicle during the summer. I didn't have a pen or pencil so I left the envelope blank, tore off the receipt part and tossed that on my dashboard. I really wish they would keep pencils or something close by for those of us that forget to bring along a writing instrument! Warning - there were signs everywhere stating that the lake has leeches. I wasn't intending on going into the water but once I saw this sign, there was clearly NO chance of me touching the water. Once parked, I checked out the restroom facility. Quite nice. Flushing toilets, running water and very clean. I headed down to the lake. I think they had an event there recently because two large tents were still up. I decided to head to the left and saw that there were a few small pathways on all sides - basically small ones made by people trying to get closer or further from the lake itself. The first half was in and out of the shade but flat. I stopped at a few benches and vistas to snap some pictures and take a few deep breaths of fresh air. Once I hit the TRT junction, the trail got a little steeper. It was not challenging by any stretch, but was not the flat trail of earlier in the course. There were several beautiful Aspen groves that were breathtaking. I didn't see any large animals but there were plenty of chipmunks and birds along the way. After 2.1 miles in and out of the sun I was disappointed to see the end of the trail. I would have been happy to see more beautiful vistas. Instead, I headed back closer to the parking lot and pulled up a seat at a picnic bench to enjoy a snack.

    Katharine S.

    The Spooner Lake area, part of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, was a great starting place for a 9.5 mi hike to Marlette Lake and back. For Nevada residents, the entry fee per car is $8. There is ample parking and clean restrooms. The trails are well-marked: the loop around Spooner Lake, the hike to Marlette Lake via either the trail (no mountain bikes) or North Canyon Rd, which one shares with mountain bikes. The offshoot trails to the Tahoe Rim Trail and the trail east to Chimney Beach are also well-marked. One can rent Kona mountain bikes at the general store. The hike to Marlette Lake is uphill going north, but there are some nice benches constructed in pretty spaces so that breaks are well-justified and earned. Even with the drought, both Spooner and Marlette Lakes were beautiful and seemingly unaffected. Keep your eyes out for the coolest plant I've ever seen: the red snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea). It is a bright red half wildflower, half mushroom looking thing. When they first emerge from the ground their "arms" are all wrapped around them and they feel like hard jelly if you touch them with a stick. When they mature their "arms" grow what look like "bells" or bell-shaped flowers. They are so cool and are all along the North Canyon Rd part of the trail.

    Sandeep R.

    This is an easy hike with easy-on-the-eyes views of the Spooner lake. Again, this is no where close to the ton of brilliant beaches and hikes in Tahoe area but given the easy length (2.5 miles) and minimal elevation (124 ft.), I'd recommend this as more of a family friendly hike or a hike primarily meant for break days if you're looking to catch a breath between some really tough hikes

    Spooner (panoramic)
    Athonia C.

    Spooner Lake trailhead leads to the Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and has it's own 2.5 miles path around the perimeter of the lake. There's a geocoded Everytrail tour of spooner linked below. There's also an opportunity to head up to Marlette Lake. The trail to Marlette is perfect for those who want to do a strenous 10 or 11 mile day hike. Folks who didn't want to add the strenuous part could just meander around Spooner Lake. Here's the photo tour. http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2171198&code=1fa6cc52e3212241aefb4b241deef6c3 I should mention that there's two entrances to these trails: you can do paid parking for $10 and this will get you access to Sand Harbor up the road as well. Sand Harbor is a great snorkeling spot and you can essentially snorkel around in a million year old glacial moraine. However, if you're just visiting Spooner and Lake Marlette try parking at the entrance shown on US 50 in the first couple of photos at the link above. It's only $1 to park there.

    Spooner Lake
    Joyce T.

    Dusty easy 2 mile hike surrounding Lake Spooner. Semi shady, but still need a hat and it does get hot. No toilets or picnic benches, gotta go across the highway for that. Ducks at shoreline. Small parking lot.

    Theresa B.

    I love Spooner lake hike, it is easy and enjoyable. You walk around lake in and out of shade - so always enjoyable. It is fairly flat with a few up hills but nothing terrible. Even the most non sporty person can do this hike/walk. Just over 2 miles around. There are benches and a beach area for resting but don't go in water unlike Marlette you can swim in this one. Great little outing. With the parking closed on 50 you now must pay at the entrance cabin but I think it is worth the money

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    Nice new trailhead at Spooner. Plenty of parking and bathrooms. Handicap accessible

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    Review Highlights - Spooner Lake Trailhead

    The offshoot trails to the Tahoe Rim Trail and the trail east to Chimney Beach are also well-marked.

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    Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail

    Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail

    4.2(33 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Spring is here! Discovered this close-in trail for quick midday hike. A few trails at this…read morelocation to choose from. Small paved parking lot allows for off street parking. Trail head has bathroom facilities, clear trail signage. Be aware that some trails do not allow dogs while some allow them on leash. Did a quick family friendly hike to the Kings Canyon Waterfall (.3 miles) and then the North King's Loop (1.8 miles). Waterfall hike is short and a well-groomed trail makes for a great family friendly stroll for all ages. Falls are really flowing right now with a lot of shade trees. North King's Loop. 1.8 miles loop with about a 450' elevation gain for about .9 miles. Trails are well-groomed (kudos to City of Carson and volunteers). For most of the loop, the trail is narrow to a shoulder width with a hill on one side and a slope off on the other. My hike is late March, early spring, so still signs of snow and ice hazards on parts of the shade sections of the trail. Overall, a great hike in the City of Carson.

    On a difficulty level; I'd say it's easy…read more This trail is kid, elderly and furry friend friendly. Even those who have foot injuries can walk right up with a little to no assistance. It's a popular spot in the Summer months. My last visit was on a hot July day. I almost had lunch there a few weeks ago, but I didn't feel like dealing with a crowd. It's a nice spot to cool down under the waterfall and have lunch. The older I get, the more I enjoy being outdoors and finding new trails to explore. It won't be long before I'm hanging in this waterfall again.

    Photos
    Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail - At the falls

    At the falls

    Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail - New signage

    New signage

    Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail

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    Marlette lake trail

    Marlette lake trail

    5.0(6 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    We hiked the Marlette Lake Trail from Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake as a backpacking trip for my…read morefriend's bachelorette party! We added some extra distance at the end by hiking to the Marlette Peak Campground to stay for the night. From the parking lot to the campground was about 7 miles each way. The trail itself was well-maintained, moderate difficulty, and had everything you'd want in a good hike! Solid trail conditions. Beautiful mountain and lake views. Some sections of wildflowers. A good amount of sun but also some shaded parts. Gradual incline that never felt super steep, so the elevation gain felt manageable. We saw people hiking as well as mountain biking on this trail. There are several sections of aspen trees along this hike, so it's a great one to come back and do in the fall once the leaves turn yellow. The trailhead area has great facilities, the bathrooms were clean and there is ample parking. The park rangers I spoke to were friendly and helpful. There is a $10/car entry into this area but it's totally worth it, especially when you see how well they take care of it. I loved this hike and will continue to come back to Spooner for hikes in the future!

    There are a few ways to reach Marlette Lake, all of them totally worth it, especially this time of…read moreyear. This trail takes you around Spooner Lake and up to Marlette. It's a 9 mile out and back with fairly gradual elevation gain, up through the trees, until you reach the lake. A great little workout. Marlette sits along the Flume Trail, so you're likely to see a lot of mountain bikers. Fun fact: The Flume Trail got its name because Marlette and the tributaries that feed it were part of a log flume system to carry logs used to build our region all the way down from as far as Virginia City! Marlette has a short fishing season, but people say it's grand if you make the trip. Of course you need to hike in to have that experience. This is definitely a trail worth checking out in our area!

    Photos
    Marlette lake trail
    Marlette lake trail
    Marlette lake trail

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    Washoe Lake State Park - The Christmas light drive!

    Washoe Lake State Park

    4.1(38 reviews)
    8.2 mi

    Sitting right on Washoe Lake, you'll get the most out of a…read morevisit to Washoe Lake State Park by camping at $15.00 per night. It's offered on a first-come basis, There are 29 campsites, equipped with a table, grill with fire rings and room for trailers. Two comfort stations, one of which includes a shower, are available. Several sites can hold an RV up to 45 feet in length. Don't forget to get your Nevada fishing license before dropping a hook into the lake. The views of Washoe Valley & the Sierra Nevada Mountains make it all worthwhile !!

    In the almost 20 years we have lived in Northern Nevada, and driven by here enroute back and forth…read morebetween Carson City and Reno, this is the first time I have stopped, gotten out and walked around. I spent some time in the picnic area and walking along the shoreline. The park was well maintained with lots of shady spots, cool grass and sandy beaches. The bathrooms were convenient and clean and there was a generous parking area. There are BBQ grills and lots of picnic tables throughout the area. There is also a large group pavilion. There are a number of trails around, but may be better suited for cooler weather as there is not a lot of shade away from the day-use area. There is a ranger station a few miles north that is worth a stop. Staff are friendly and helpful and there is a small exhibit of old mining and farming equipment and a very nice native plant garden. Definitely worth the stop.

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    Washoe Lake State Park
    Washoe Lake State Park
    Washoe Lake State Park

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    Genoa Loop Trail

    Genoa Loop Trail

    5.0(4 reviews)
    11.9 mi

    It's been years since I last hiked this loop on a hot Summer day in July…read more This is a steep trail and there are parts that narrowed out, but hubby and I walked single file through those parts. We spent a day hanging out here, but we stopped halfway for a break and lunch in some shade. There are plenty of little rivers that flow below the waterfall. Hearing the waterfall kept us chugging along because we were ready to cool off. This wasn't the biggest waterfall, but we enjoyed our time in it. It was very private once we actually got down there and so happy we were in our own little oasis; we had the whole place to ourselves. With all the precipitation we received this year I can only imagine how beautiful and full everything is. I'm planning on revisiting this Summer to see how everything has grown.

    Beautiful hike, spectacular views with a waterfall, this hike offers up rewarding treasures that…read moreonly Genoa can deliver. We set off on this trail that starts in the historic town of Genoa at the end of Carson Street which is north of Main Street (same side as the Genoa Bar - look for the Orchard House). You will see a gravel parking lot and the Genoa Loop Trail sign at the start of the trail. We opted for the 6 mile round trip to the waterfall adventure on this particular day as we headed out. With an elevation gain of 1410ft and many switchbacks be sure to carry plenty of H20, wear appropriate footwear, maybe bring something like a granola bar or fruit and as always pack out, what you pack in. The trail is well maintained, but can be narrow & steep at times with bicyclists and furry companions allowed on the trail too. Please be sure to bring leashes along with doggy mutt mitts aka poop bags, there is a trash can and mutt mitts at the beginning of the trail but better to be prepared and there are no poop fairies. Remember everyone is out there to enjoy the beauty of the Great Outdoors so ENJOY IT! We thoroughly enjoyed this hike, stopping along the way to take in the spring flowers, beautiful views, grab our binoculars to look upon Genoa, the Carson River & Jacks Valley. We crossed the creek throughout the trail with foot bridges, butterflies, and the reward of our hiking adventure was the Genoa Waterfall as it cascade over as we listened to it surrounded by the pine trees. So get out there, this is a GREAT waterfall hike with stunning views added bonus you are already in the quaint historic town of Genoa so why not check out the cute town and grab a bite to eat or libation. Enjoy and #moveyourbody!!

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    Genoa Loop Trail
    Genoa Loop Trail - Views while walking up :) Didn't make it up to the waterfall but still worth the view.

    Views while walking up :) Didn't make it up to the waterfall but still worth the view.

    Genoa Loop Trail

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    Spooner Summit - Love this!

    Spooner Summit

    4.4(17 reviews)
    13.2 mi

    This is a great little spot for snow play during the winter season. Parking is a little tough. The…read moreonly facilities are Porta potties. There is a very small parking lot, and along the sides of the road, but it's a tight squeeze going down the lane. The area is beautiful and there's plenty of space and small hills for sledding. And best of all - it's free! We had *snow* much fun! Yelp 2026 Challenge: 03/30

    From my Genoa perspective, I usually take the Kingsbury grade to go to South Lake Tahoe and Back…read more I'll drive up from the Valley to the Spooner Summit if I'm going to the State Park of that name, Sand Harbor, Incline, and destinations North. I might drive back to the Valley via Spooner if I'm coming from South Lake and need to run errands in Carson City. Observations 1. As "The Lake" doesn't have a Costco or a Trader Joes, there can be decent visitor traffic coming down to the Valley from Spooner Summit. That includes considerable cheaper gas prices available at Costco gas. 2. The scenery coming down Spooner into the Valley is stunning. So can car speed of which a Carson Sherriff's car may happily pull you over. And that stop light can come into view fairly quickly. 3. One thing you might notice coming down are the distinct large piles of logs associated with the new Carson City Sawmill (in partnership with the Washoe Tribe). Tahoe Forest Products processes timber salvaged from wildfires, forest thinning projects. 4. I make it a point to drive this route (in either direction) for the fall colors. 5. What I always marvel at is the transition between Alpine and High Desert, in either direction. 6. In wintertime at the Alpine Summit, you'll find scores of cars and families taking advantage of sledding opportunities. Parking can be challenging. Some of those cars don't know how to drive in the winter (or understand chains) of which I saw first hand last Saturday as Gayle and I were dropping off Darling Granddaughter. Lots of slipping and sliding and 2 overturned vehicles were noted. 7. There are also hiking opportunities at the Spooner Summit of which I've only done the easy trek around nearby Spooner Lake.

    Photos
    Spooner Summit
    Spooner Summit
    Spooner Summit

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    Spooner Lake Trailhead - hiking - Updated May 2026

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