ActivitiesHikingCastle Rock Trailhead
Castle Rock Trailhead
East Shore, hiking, moderate
A lollipop loop that starts on the Tahoe Rim Trail and forks off to the Castle Rock viewpoint. The last scramble to the top is closed when peregrine falcons are nesting; watch for signs. Snow lingers from November to late spring.
In short: Castle Rock Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 2.9 mi round trip, 500 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 7,900 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 2.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 500 ft
- High point
- 7,900 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
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Trail details
- Castle Rock viewpoint
- Starts on the Tahoe Rim Trail
- Lake views
- Summit scramble closes when falcons nest
- Trail
- Castle Rock Loop (Tahoe Rim Trail)
- Season
- Jun – Oct
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Free, Kingsbury North trailhead, off Kingsbury Grade
- 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
- Lam Watah Nature Trail2.9 mi, easy
Nearest campgrounds
- Zephyr Cove RV & Campground2.3 mi, 149 sites
- Nevada Beach Campground2.9 mi, 54 sites
- Campground by the Lake6.3 mi, 170 sites