ActivitiesHikingBurton Creek MTB Trailhead
Burton Creek MTB Trailhead
North Shore, hiking, easy
Burton Creek State Park offers the largest undeveloped trail network on the north shore — 20+ miles of XC singletrack through old-growth forest. Best beginner-to-intermediate MTB on the north shore. Dog-friendly and rarely crowded.
In short: Burton Creek MTB Trailhead is an easy hike on Lake Tahoe's North Shore: 20 mi round trip, 800 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 6,800 ft. The season is May – Nov, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 20 mi
- Elevation gain
- 800 ft
- High point
- 6,800 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
Where it is
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Trail details
- 20+ miles of XC trails
- Beginner & intermediate
- Old-growth forest
- No crowds
- Trail
- Burton Creek State Park Trail Network
- Season
- May – Nov
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Free, Old Mill Rd off Hwy 28, Tahoe City
- Dogs
- Allowed
Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.
Guided hikeConditions 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°
Know before you go
- Permits
- Desolation Wilderness needs a permit for both day hikes and overnight trips. Most other trails in the basin need none.
- Parking
- Lots at Eagle Falls, D.L. Bliss and other popular trailheads fill by 9am on summer weekends. Start early or go midweek.
- Altitude
- Trailheads start around 6,300 feet and the highest summits top 10,000. Carry more water than you would at sea level and take the first day easy.
- Weather
- Summer afternoons can bring thunderstorms. Plan to be off exposed ridges and summits by early afternoon.
More hiking within 5 miles
- Tahoe City TRT Trailhead1.4 mi, moderate
- Ward Creek / Stanford Rock Trailhead3.4 mi, moderate
- Five Lakes Trailhead4.8 mi, moderate
Nearest campgrounds
- Lake Forest Campground0.8 mi, 20 sites
- Tahoe State Recreation Area1.4 mi, 23 sites
- Kaspian Campground5.4 mi, 10 sites