ActivitiesHikingMeeks Bay Trailhead
Meeks Bay Trailhead
West Shore, hiking, moderate
One of the main routes into Desolation Wilderness. The first miles follow a wide, forested valley, climbing gently to Lake Genevieve, the first of a chain of small lakes. A free day permit is filled in at the trailhead.
In short: Meeks Bay Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's West Shore: 9 mi round trip, 1,160 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 7,400 ft. The season is Jun – Oct, a wilderness permit is required, dogs are allowed.
- Distance, round trip
- 9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,160 ft
- High point
- 7,400 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Where it is
Loading map…
Trail details
- Lake Genevieve
- Crag Lake a short walk further
- Desolation Wilderness
- Long, gentle forest climb
- Trail
- Meeks Creek Trail to Lake Genevieve
- Season
- Jun – Oct
- Permit
- Wilderness permit required
- Parking
- Free, Small lot on Hwy 89, Day use only
- 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
- D.L. Bliss Rubicon Trailhead4.6 mi, moderate
- Ellis Peak Trailhead4.8 mi, strenuous
Nearest campgrounds
- Sugar Pine Point — General Creek0.8 mi, 175 sites
- Meeks Bay Resort & Campground1.1 mi, 77 sites
- William Kent Campground3.6 mi, 95 sites