10 Great Hikes Near Reno/Tahoe

If you live near (or are visiting) the Reno/Tahoe area, here are some wonderful hikes to enjoy before the snow falls:

Hike to the summit of Mt. Rose to see gorgeous views of Reno, Lake Tahoe, and the surrounding areas.

The Rubicon Trail follows the shoreline along a 5 mile stretch of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay.  This is a good one for visitors – it’s relatively flat and you get some of the best lake views!

Hike up Eagle Rock (South of Tahoe City on the West Shore) for a panoramic view of Lake Tahoe. This gorgeous view can be found five miles south of Tahoe City. Eagle Rock is just a 20 minute hike up from Highway 89 – a perfect spot for a picnic or to stop and exercise your legs if you’re driving around the lake.

The Schneider Camp to Showers Lake loop is an excellent day hike:  Off of Highway 88, turn at the CalTrans Caples Lake Maintenance Station and drive on the road past the station until you see a sign that points to Schneider.  The road turns to dirt here.  Follow for 1.5 miles or until you see other cars parked.  The trail head is on the right side of the road.  It hooks up with the PCT at Showers Lake and then you can continue around to see awesome views of Caples Lake.  The loop is a little over 8 miles (and you might want a map for this one).

The Clear Creek Trail in Carson Valley is great for hiking and mountain biking.

So is the Discovery Trail in Genoa, Nevada.

The High Trail/Carson River Trail in the Carson Iceberg Wilderness can be a long day hike or a backpacking adventure.

Another great spot for hiking, biking, and fishing is Spooner Lake/Marlette Lake.

The Incline Flume Trail is a beautiful, mellow hike.  Also a good one for visitors!

In the Mokleumne Wilderness near Carson Pass, there are a series of trails that take you past several different lakes, including the most popular Winnemucca Lake.  My favorite is the Winnemucca and Round Top Lakes loop.

I have several hiking books that focus on hiking northern California and Western Nevada, but I use this one and this one (this version is way updated from what I currently have, by 17 years!) the most.  I love how they give you the elevation profile so you know what to expect, and the milestones or key points along the hike so you know you’re headed in the right direction.

There are so many more great hikes in this area.  If you have any hiking recommendations, please let us know in the comments.