Waterfall Hikes Near South Lake Tahoe, CA

21,346 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
11 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near South Lake Tahoe? There are 11 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of South Lake Tahoe. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 38.9393°N, -119.9828°W

Map of Waterfalls Near South Lake Tahoe

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

10 of 11 gauged

10 waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe have live flow data today

Carson Falls Barely Flowing Llewellyn Falls Barely Flowing Codfish Falls Barely Flowing Eagle Falls Barely Flowing Horsetail Falls Barely Flowing Sawyier Falls Barely Flowing Jumbo Falls Moderate Leavitt Falls Barely Flowing Sardine Falls Barely Flowing Silver Falls Barely Flowing

Updated 38 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 65°F

Sat 57°F Mostly Sunny
Sun 59°F Sunny
Mon 65°F Sunny Best
Tue 67°F Sunny
Wed 67°F Sunny
Thu 66°F Sunny
Fri 68°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near South Lake Tahoe

Updated 38 minutes ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Jumbo Falls Moderate · 1 cfs 54th percentile
  2. 2 Codfish Falls Barely Flowing · 138 cfs 1st percentile
  3. 3 Leavitt Falls Barely Flowing · 273 cfs 1st percentile
  4. 4 Sardine Falls Barely Flowing · 273 cfs 1st percentile
  5. 5 Silver Falls Barely Flowing · 273 cfs 1st percentile
  6. 6 Carson Falls Barely Flowing · 283 cfs 0th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near South Lake Tahoe

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near South Lake Tahoe (4 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Eagle Falls waterfall

Eagle Falls

47.8 miles away
California
Easy
2.0 miles 400 ft
Bassi Falls waterfall

Bassi Falls

47.7 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around South Lake Tahoe (9 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Horsetail Falls waterfall

Horsetail Falls

41.4 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 600 ft
Carson Falls waterfall

Carson Falls

43.3 miles away
California
Moderate
3.6 miles 800 ft

All 11 Waterfalls Near South Lake Tahoe

Eagle Falls waterfall

Eagle Falls

47.8 miles away
California
Easy
2.0 miles 400 ft
Sawyier Falls waterfall

Sawyier Falls

45 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Horsetail Falls waterfall

Horsetail Falls

41.4 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 600 ft
Bassi Falls waterfall

Bassi Falls

47.7 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Jumbo Falls waterfall

Jumbo Falls

Nevada
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Carson Falls waterfall

Carson Falls

43.3 miles away
California
Moderate
3.6 miles 800 ft

Llewellyn Falls

45.2 miles away
California
Moderate
6.0 miles 600 ft

Codfish Falls

43.7 miles away
California
Easy
3.1 miles 200 ft
Sardine Falls waterfall

Sardine Falls

38.7 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Silver Falls waterfall

Silver Falls

42 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Leavitt Falls waterfall

Leavitt Falls

40.6 miles away
California
Easy
0.4 miles 75 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near South Lake Tahoe

Are there free waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe?

There are 7 free waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe, including Bassi Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near South Lake Tahoe?

There are 4 easy waterfall hikes near South Lake Tahoe, including Bassi Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in South Lake Tahoe?

There are 9 dog-friendly waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe, including Bassi Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe?

There are 9 kid-friendly waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe, including Bassi Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near South Lake Tahoe, including Bassi Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near South Lake Tahoe?

The shortest waterfall hike near South Lake Tahoe is Bassi Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe?

The tallest waterfall near South Lake Tahoe is Bassi Falls at 109 feet.

Do any waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe require permits?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around South Lake Tahoe?

Yes, 11 waterfalls near South Lake Tahoe have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to South Lake Tahoe?

The closest waterfall to South Lake Tahoe is Eagle Falls, approximately 6 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near South Lake Tahoe With Waterfalls

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12,057 residents
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58,249 residents
Truckee, CA
16,784 residents
Dayton, NV
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Reno, NV
457,702 residents
Cold Springs, NV
11,029 residents
Sun Valley, NV
22,775 residents
Sparks, NV
108,025 residents
Placerville, CA
10,744 residents
North Auburn, CA
14,403 residents
Diamond Springs, CA
12,197 residents
Spanish Springs, NV
16,418 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near South Lake Tahoe, California

Myers Warm Spring

Myers Warm Spring

6.1 mi 75°F

Myers Warm Spring flows at 75°F (24°C) near South Lake Tahoe at an elevation of 7,615 feet—one of California's highest-elevatio...

Walleys Hot Springs

8.4 mi 160°F

Walleys Hot Springs flows at 160°F in Douglas County at 4,690 feet elevation, positioned just 20 meters from the roadside near ...

Hobo Hot Springs

12.9 mi 114°F

Hobo Hot Springs flows at 114 degrees Fahrenheit on Stewart Community tribal land in Douglas County at 4,760 feet elevation, po...

Springs

14.6 mi 90°F

Flowing at 90°F along Washoe Springs Road in Douglas County, these thermal springs run 38 degrees warmer than the 52°F ambient ...
Brockway Hot Springs

Brockway Hot Springs

15.2 mi 131°F

Brockway Hot Springs surges at 131°F directly into Lake Tahoe's frigid waters at 6,337 feet elevation near Kings Beach. Located...
Saratoga Hot Spring

Saratoga Hot Spring

16.0 mi 122°F

Saratoga Hot Spring flows at 122°F in Douglas County near Johnson Lane, positioned 42.7 meters from Vicky Lane at 4,700 feet el...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near South Lake Tahoe, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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