Lovers Leap
- The signature Tahoe-area crag. 100+ routes on perfect granite slabs and faces
- 5.5–5.13c
- Sport & trad
- Walk-off descents
- Roadside parking
- Open year-round
- 45 min from SLT
ActivitiesRock Climbing
Rock climbing near Lake Tahoe
Granite crags, volcanic tuff and bouldering within an hour of the lake. Lovers Leap alone has more than 100 routes from 5.5 to 5.13.
Conditions today
- Right now
- 72°F, Sunny
- Today
- High 72°, low 48°
- Wind
- 8 mph
- Campfires
- Metal rings only
- TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
- ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
- FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°
Best months
- Jan: out of season
- Feb: out of season
- Mar: out of season
- Apr: possible
- May: best
- Jun: best
- Jul: best
- Aug: best
- Sep: best
- Oct: best (this month)
- Nov: possible
- Dec: out of season
May to October at most crags. Lower, sunnier walls such as Lovers Leap can be climbed for much of the year.
Go with a guide. Climb Tahoe-area granite with a local guide, from first top-rope to longer routes.
Guided rock climbingKnow before you go
- Gear
- Many of the classic routes are traditional climbs, so bring a full rack and know how to place it. Sport and top-rope areas are marked in the place details below.
- Descents
- Lovers Leap and several other crags use walk-off descents. Find the way down before you start up; it is hard to spot in fading light.
- Weather
- Granite stays slick after rain, and summer thunderstorms build fast. Be off the wall by early afternoon when storms are forecast.
- Guides
- New to the area or to trad climbing? Local guide services run day courses; shops listed below can point you to them.
15 places for rock climbing
Open the climbing mapDonner Summit
- Historic California granite climbed since the 1930s
- 200+ routes across dozens of formations
- All grades
- South-facing — climbable earlier in season
- 30 min from Tahoe City
Luther Spires
- Bolt-protected sport climbing on sunny south-facing granite
- Short 10 min approach
- Beginner and intermediate friendly
- Multiple walls
- Year-round
- Popular for learning to lead outdoors
Phantom Spires
- South shore hidden gem
- Quality granite sport crag
- Bolted routes in the 5.8–5.11 range
- Quieter than Lovers Leap
- 30 min from SLT
- Short approach through pine forest
Eagle Creek Canyon
- West shore multi-pitch granite
- Mix of trad and sport
- Near Eagle Falls
- Longer adventure routes in a stunning canyon setting
- Moderate to hard grades
Tahoe Crags
- North shore granite sport crag
- Bolted moderate routes
- Short approaches
- Views of Lake Tahoe from the top
- Less crowded than south shore crags
All 15 rock climbing places, A to Z
Gear and rentals nearby
Open the amenities map- REI — South Lake TahoeOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CAFull outfitter, Rentals, Expert staff
- Tahoe Outdoor CenterOutfitter, Tahoe City, CAGear, advice & guided adventures
- Alpenglow SportsOutfitter, Truckee, CABackcountry & ski, Climbing gear, Truckee hub
- Dave's Ski & BoardOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CASki & snowboard rentals & tuning