Outbound Collective logo

Carnelian Bay, California

Looking for the best hiking in Carnelian Bay? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Carnelian Bay. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Carnelian Bay

  • Tahoe City, California

    Purple Trail and Burton Creek Loop

    3.76 mi / 492 ft gain
    Burton Creek State Park is a moderate hike. It is a secluded peaceful hike that offers amazing views of the lake. This is a popular spot for mountain bikers, but is also ideal for hiking.  Much of the trail is through the forest and there are many maps and signs pointing out the trails. The hike ...
    Read more
  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Quick Hike and Photo Op at Stateline

    5.0
    2 mi
    This quick 2-mile RT hike takes you to a lookout point above the Stateline of California and Nevada. The road to the lookout is paved so beginners can make the trek to the top in the summer; winter covers the road with snow, so snowshoes or boots are recommended. The lookout offers spectacular vi...
    Read more
  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Walk to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout site

    5.0
    1.8 mi / 340 ft gain
    The hike up to the Historic Stateline Fire Lookout above Lake Tahoe's Crystal Bay area is somewhat of a misnomer, as the fire lookout no longer exists. Instead, the path, which follows a paved forest road, up to the site where the tower once stood will bring hikers to a panoramic viewpoint that l...
    Read more
  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Bike or Take a Stroll along the Tahoe East Shore Trail

    5.0
    2.75 mi / 300 ft gain
    Lake Tahoe's East Shore Trail is a wide paved walking and cycling path running between Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park. Opened in 2019, the path lies completely separate from the road, sometimes hovering well above it on the mountainside, and other times running parallel to it on a bri...
    Read more
  • Incline Village, Nevada

    Monkey Rock

    4.7
    2.64 mi / 463 ft gain
    Monkey Rock is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada.
    Read more
  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike the Thunder Mountain Trail

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The Thunder Mountain Trail is the perfect hike to explore the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Squaw may be famed for its mountain ski runs in the winter, but when the snow melts in the summer, beautiful alpine meadows line the mountain and the ski runs turn into hiking trails! The Thunder Mountain T...
    Read more
  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    Photograph Bonsai Rock

    5.0
    Bonsai Rock is a popular attraction for photographers as it is a unique boulder with tiny trees growing out of it, enclosed next to the shoreline. This makes it a beautiful place to enjoy a scenic sunset, as well as play with some long exposure photography.It's located on the east side of Lake Ta...
    Read more
  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike the Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail

    3.6 mi / 2109 ft gain
    This trail has lots of elevation over a short distance, be warned! The Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail is close to Olympic Valley in the North Lake Tahoe region. Dogs are allowed on this trail if kept on leash. 
    Read more
  • Homewood, California

    Eagle Rock

    4.0
    0.84 mi / 105 ft gain
    Starting at an outcrop off Highway 89 in Tahoe Pines, hikers make their way up the trail through a gradually sloping forest. Climbing rocks and logs, it is strenuous at times but only takes about 15-20 minutes to accomplish. Once at the top, the elevation is 6,286 feet and consists of an absolute...
    Read more
  • Carson City, Nevada

    Relax at Tahoe's Chimney Beach

    5.0
    2.2 mi
    Located on the East Bank of Lake Tahoe along Highway 28, Chimney Beach is a great alternative to the more popular and heavily used beaches which can be quite a challenge to gain access due to the parking limitations during the busy summer months and on weekends.From the parking area on the east s...
    Read more
  • Carson City, Nevada

    Marlette Lake via Chimney Beach Trailhead

    4.0
    5.96 mi / 1713 ft gain
    This trail starts right off NV28 between Chimney Beach and Great Tahoe Beach. Around 30 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe and the CA/NV border, we arrived close to 10am with plenty of parking available. While it seemed the trail was heavily used by mountain bikes, we encountered zero during our ...
    Read more
  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike to Lake Estelle and Five Lakes

    6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This hike starts at Alpine Meadows Base Camp and finishes on Alpine Meadows Road. The end point is less than a half mile from the base, and an easy walk up a slight hill. Park at base camp and head on the trail to the far right of all of the lifts. Proceed up the trail for half a mile (this is th...
    Read more
  • Carson City, Nevada

    Hike to Secret Cove

    5.0
    0.9 mi / 209 ft gain
    Take a short little hike down from HWY 28 to Secret Cove to relax on the beach on sunbathe on rocks. The water is incredibly clear and has different shades of turquoise. There are many rocks to climb on and the water is great for swimming. It gets crowded early, and is a nude beach, so plan accor...
    Read more
  • Carson City, Nevada

    Secret Harbor / Whale Beach

    4.0
    1.67 mi / 384 ft gain
    Secret Harbor / Whale Beach is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Carson City, Nevada.
    Read more
  • Tahoe City, California

    Ride Twin Peaks in Lake Tahoe's Backcountry

    This trip is best done in two days with an approach day and then a descent day. Get started at the base of the Sherwood Chair on the backside of the Alpine ski area. Head up, outside of the ski area boundary toward the high ridge.Once on the ridge, you follow it south for a few miles until reachi...
    Read more
  • New Washoe City, Nevada

    Chicadee Ridge

    5.0
    1.69 mi / 289 ft gain
    Chicadee Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Incline Village-Crystal Bay, Nevada.
    Read more