Hiking
Plan ahead and prepare by visiting a district office or by checking out our maps and publications. Trail maps will help you plan your route based on your ability, available time and interest. Some maps are available for purchase at the National Forest Store.
Whether you're roughing it in a tent or planning a family picnic, there are many ways to make sure that your experience is fun and safe.
- Being prepared includes knowing how to be a responsible hiker. Learn more on our Responsible Recreation page.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Don’t hike alone. Let the slowest person in your party set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.
- Develop an emergency plan before you start your trip. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises. Give children whistles with the instructions to "stop and blow" if they become lost.
- Take frequent rests or vary your pace to maintain your energy level.
- Drink plenty of water, even on cool, wet days. Never drink your entire supply between refills.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy boots that are broken in and are comfortable.
- Consider using a hiking pole or walking stick to help maintain your balance in unlevel or hazardous areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and pre-plan your approach before hiking through more hazardous areas. Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it's on a slope.
- Consider what you'll do if you start to slide or fall so that you are prepared.
- If falling, do not try to catch yourself; try to avoid landing on your hands, elbows or knees. Landing on the side of your body is much safer.
- If the slope is such where you know you are going to slide, lowering your center of gravity, by sitting down and sliding on your feet or bottom, is safer.
- If sliding while standing up, keep your weight over your feet and bend your knees—do not lean back or forward while sliding.
- If on a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
- Map
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches
- First aid kit
- Water and water-purifying tablets
- High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
- Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.
Backpacking
Pack up your tent and hit the trail!
Day Hikes
From steep climbs to peaceful nature trails, Tahoe National Forest offers opportunities for all levels of hiking.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
American River Trail
The American River trail is 7.36 miles long. It follows the North Fork American River between Sailor Flat Trail and Mumford Bar Trail. The trail is open to hiking, biking, and equestrian use. No…
Badenaugh Canyon Trail
Badenaugh Canyon Trail was densely overgrown for nearly 20 years after the Cottonwood Fire impacted the area in 1994. After recently receiving grant funding, Tahoe National Forest partnered with…
Baltimore Lake
Baltimore Lake lies in a heavily timbered basin within the Grouse Ridge Non-Motorized Area. This lake supports a brook trout fishery through the planting of 1,500 fingerlings every other year. There…
Barker Pass Pacific Crest Trailhead
Site Open
This trailhead provides access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Heading north, the trail enters Granite Chief Wilderness and intersects the Western States Trail. Heading south, the trail enters Desolation…
Beacroft Trail
The Beacroft trail is 2.36 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 88-036 off of Foresthill Divide and ends at the American River Trail. This is a very steep and difficult trail, which involves…
Bear Pen Trail
This is a 2.3 mile trail deep in the Granite Chief Wilderness accessible from Five Lakes Creek Trail or Powderhorn Trail.
Beyers Lake Trail
The Beyers Lake trail is 6 1/4 miles long. It begins at Grouse Ridge Trail and ends at Forest Road 0843-018 at Mine.
Big Spring Trail
Big Springs Trail is a 0.85 mile trail option looping off of Five Lakes Creek Trail. The trail winds through mature forest and two meadows.
Big Trees Nature Trail
Want to be awestruck? The Big Trees Nature Trail invites hikers to look up at giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) the most massive (by volume) trees on earth. These endangered trees are endemic…