Lake Tahoe hike to Emerald Bay overlook: 2 miles, year-round

A short hike to the view locals keep coming back to

A 2-mile guided hike around Lake Tahoe leads to an overlook above Emerald Bay with 360-degree views of the basin, Desolation Wilderness and Mt. Tallac. The route starts on a paved campground road, then turns to dirt with a gentle quarter-mile incline. Your guide, a 25-year Tahoe resident, brings trail mix, fresh fruit, seasonal drinks and takes photos throughout. The hike runs year-round, with snow boots needed in winter and a sled available for small children.

The experience

What makes this hike different from the dozen others around Tahoe is the vantage point itself. The overlook sits above Emerald Bay and frames the entire lake basin in a single view, Desolation Wilderness, Mt. Tallac, and the water spreading out in all directions. The guide has lived here 25 years and has explored most of the trails and shoreline. This is one of their favorites, and they built the route to reach it in a morning without the scramble or the crowds.

The hike takes about an hour and a half. You start on a paved road through the campground, then the trail becomes dirt with a slight incline for roughly a quarter mile until you reach the lookout. In winter, snow covers the ground and you'll need snow boots or hiking boots. The guide can bring a sled if you're traveling with small children. Summer brings fresh squeezed lemonade and winter brings hot chocolate. The guide photographs you throughout and sends the images along after.

The route works year-round, though heavy snowfall can close it. Sunrise, sunset and moonrise departures are available if you want to time it differently. Groups and team-building parties are welcome, and the guide will work with mobility challenges or different abilities to find a way to make the hike work.

What’s included

• Trail mix and fresh fruit.
• fresh squeezed lemonade in summer or hot chocolate in winter.
• professional photos taken throughout the hike.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs every day except Tuesday at 09:00 and 14:30, from US$ 64 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday and Saturday: 09:00Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 09:00 and 14:30Last departure this season: 20 NovAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 12 years): free · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Hike Year Round With a Tahoe Local

Is this one for you?This is a guided hike with a local who leads the route and sets the pace, so you follow rather than navigate yourself. It suits anyone wanting the view without the research (someone who lives here chose the spot and built the route), and it works for groups, families with kids from five up, and people who want to hike year-round without worrying about which trail is open.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

50 verified traveler reviews

5 ★48

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years): free. Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

How steep is the hike to the Emerald Bay overlook?

The trail has a slight incline for about a quarter mile, then levels out at the lookout point. The paved campground road at the start is flat, so the climb is gentle and short.

What's the view like from the overlook?

The overlook frames Emerald Bay directly below, Desolation Wilderness, Mt. Tallac, and a 360-degree sweep of the entire Lake Tahoe basin. It's the reason the guide chose this particular spot as a favorite after 25 years of exploring the area.

Can I do this hike in winter?

Yes, the hike runs year-round. In winter, snow covers the trail and you'll need snow boots or hiking boots. Heavy snowfall can close it on occasion, and the guide can bring a sled to help if you're traveling with small children.

What's included in the hike?

Trail mix, fresh fruit, and seasonal drinks (fresh squeezed lemonade in summer, hot chocolate in winter) are provided. The guide also takes photos throughout the hike and shares them with you afterward.