ActivitiesHikingLam Watah Nature Trail
Lam Watah Nature Trail
East Shore, hiking, easy
A flat trail of packed sand and pavement through Rabe Meadow along Burke Creek, ending at Nevada Beach after about a mile. Open all year; snowshoes or skis in winter.
In short: Lam Watah Nature Trail is an easy hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 2.2 mi round trip, 50 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 6,300 ft. It is open year-round, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 2.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 50 ft
- High point
- 6,300 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
Where it is
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Trail details
- Rabe Meadow
- Burke Creek
- Ends at Nevada Beach
- Flat, packed sand and paved
- Trail
- Lam Watah Trail to Nevada Beach
- Season
- Year-round
- Permit
- None needed
- Parking
- Free, Fewer than 20 spaces
- 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
- Castle Rock Trailhead2.9 mi, moderate
- Powerline Trail Trailhead3.3 mi, easy
- Corral Trail Hub — South Shore MTB3.6 mi, moderate
Nearest campgrounds
- Nevada Beach Campground0.9 mi, 54 sites
- Zephyr Cove RV & Campground1.6 mi, 149 sites
- Campground by the Lake3.5 mi, 170 sites