ActivitiesHikingSkunk Harbor Trailhead

Skunk Harbor Trailhead

East Shore, hiking, moderate

An old road drops through the forest to a quiet cove on the east shore. All the climbing is on the way back. Parking is a small turnoff on Highway 28 and fills early.

In short: Skunk Harbor Trailhead is a moderate hike on Lake Tahoe's East Shore: 3 mi round trip, 560 ft of elevation gain, a high point of 6,800 ft. The season is May – Oct, no permit is needed, dogs are allowed.

Distance, round trip
3 mi
Elevation gain
560 ft
High point
6,800 ft
Difficulty
Moderate

Where it is

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Trail details

  • Quiet cove on the east shore
  • Old stone house at the water
  • Swimming
  • Downhill first, uphill on the way back
Trail
Skunk Harbor Trail
Season
May – Oct
Permit
None needed
Parking
Free, Small roadside turnoff on Hwy 28, about 2 miles north of Hwy 50
Dogs
Allowed

Go with a guide. Walk the basin with a local guide, on a trail matched to your group and the season.

Guided hike

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°

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.

Read the hiking guide

More hiking within 5 miles

Nearest campgrounds

See its pin on the mapAll hiking placesMore on fs.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)