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Cascade Falls

South Lake Tahoe, California

4.8/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

1.32 miles

Elevation Gain

98 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Brian Walker

Cascade Falls in El Dorado National Forest is a short little hike to get out and capture stunning views of the lake and the falls. If you head out at night, you are rewarded with a fantastic night view of the falls, Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe. 

Starting out at the Bayview Trailhead you will make your way out through the campground towards the trail. Once you find the trail it is a simple way to the falls. It starts out as a wide trail and winds through the pine and fir trees. You will come to some stone steps as the trail narrows for the next 3/4 of a mile to the falls. The trail makes its way along the hillside of Cascade Lake with views of the lake, Lake Tahoe and the falls. Once you reach a couple cairns you will know you are near the falls. You will be able to hear the water as it moves along. (During the spring and early summer months the falls are raging pretty heavily and calm down over the later months and into winter.) Once at the falls find a great location and shoot away after lining up your shot and getting your settings right. 

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Lake
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildlife

Cascade Falls Reviews

You can park at the end of the campground but be sure to pay. We chanced it and didn’t pay. When we got back to the car the park employee was coming through collecting money. We got close and didn’t get a ticket. If you don’t want to pay park on 8 (which is tricky and can be hard to find on weekends). In the winter 89 is often closed. Pretty easy hike. Not a ton of elevation but there are some big steps and roots to watch out for. The waterfalls are worth the hike. Bring a lunch and enjoy the views. Expect some other folks on nice weekends.

Nice hike. Did it in the winter, so harder to follow a trail but we figured it out! We were the only people out there and had a blast! Beautiful scenery!

From the trailhead it's about a 35 minute hike (up and over some boulders) to the falls. The majority of the hike is shaded, and provides beautiful views along the way. At the falls you can explore several shallow pools or just relax on a nice rock and soak in the amazing view of the lake!! Hands down one of my favorite hikes in Lake Tahoe!

This is a great place to go and hang out. The water is a bit cold but the view is absolutely breathtaking. There were too many waterfalls to count and the granite rocks were beautiful. The jumping was also very fun but a little thought to get to. You have to walk through thick brush to get to the rocks.

The trailhead is located in the Bayview Campgrounds across from Inspiration Point. Parking can be difficult with those trying to access Inspiration Point. It's an easy but the trail gets pretty rocky and narrow. I didn't find that a drawback. It actually made the hike more fun.

easy and worth the walk

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike to Snow Lake in Desolation Wilderness

Backpack to Eagle Lake and Dick's Lake

Lower, Middle, and Upper Velma Lakes

Swim in Granite Lake

Maggie's Peaks

Camp at Bayview Campground