Hike to the Top of the World: Cave Rock State Park Lake Tahoe

Hiking in Cave Rock State Park…or maybe I should say “Hiking ON Cave Rock State Park”.  A thrilling short hike to the top of the world!

A beautiful Nevada State Park

Hiking around Lake Tahoe can be a bit of a challenge in the winter time.  There’s snow and ice everywhere and trails can quickly become treacherous!  (Yes, there was a trail I was dying to do, but I didn’t even make it a quarter mile before needing to turn around due to the trail being solid ice).

So what about hiking in Cave Rock State Park?  There is only one hike in this state park, so not my usual cup of tea.  But after driving past the tunnels that run through Cave Rock, I was interested. 

The Adventure Begins

Brian and I traveled out to Reno, Nevada in February and March of 2022.  It was the end of the month of February and the beginning of March, but you get it.  Anyway, Brian was out there for work and I decided “I’m coming with” because no way was I going to miss seeing Lake Tahoe (a mere 40 minute drive to Cave Rock State Park).

I’ve been dying to see and hike around Lake Tahoe since I first saw pictures everywhere on social media.  You know the ones that make you actually click on the link and figure out where it was taken?  Yeah, that was me.  And here I was with an amazing opportunity to travel out there.

The biggest down fall was Brian actually was working all day so I was alone.  A rare thing ever since we started dating.  And while it was wonderful to stand in the beauty of the Lake Tahoe area, it was a little lonely. 

I definitely did as much as I possibly could in the few days I was out there on my own, which included Hiking in Cave Rock State Park.  So let’s get into it!

Important Links

Cave Rock State Park website

Cave Rock Trail Map – AllTrails

Hiking Backpack Checklist FREEBIE

Location

Cave Rock State Park is located right on the water’s edge of Lake Tahoe and can easily be found via Google Maps or Apple Maps.  It is on the east side of the lake and in Nevada, not California.  Why have a state line in the middle of a lake, I don’t know, but Cave Rock is in Nevada

It is a stunning view as you first pull up and see the giant rock formation that is Cave Rock towering over you.  If you are coming from the north you will have just driven through the tunnel that is in this wild formation.  If you come from the south, you will come around a bend and see its towering figure. 

I spent approximately 25 minutes walking around Cave Rock State Park.  This area isn’t much more than a boat ramp, a parking lot, and a small beach at the end of the parking lot.  Initially I was disappointed.  Until I figured out where to drive for the hike, then I loved every second!  So let’s get to it!

History and Background

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place and over the years some have considered it sacred.  Native Americans, specifically the Washoe Indians, had ancestors who performed religious ceremonies in some of these caves. 

In 1865 a road was laid around the giant rock formation.  This cost a great deal of money and you can still see some of the road clinging to the edge of this rock.  However, if you drive there today, you will see a tunnel that runs straight through Cave Rock.

This tunnel was blasted and built in 1931.  And the second tunnel was added in 1957.  This obviously allows more cars to travel on these roads and helps to keep the traffic flowing. 

Cave Rock State Park was founded in 1967 and is a very popular boat launch.  While I was there I witnessed several boats come in and out after their day on the water.  Giant, expensive boats, but I digress.  There is a small beach at the end of the parking area and no matter where you walk on said beach you are surrounded by beautiful views. 

There is a daily fee to visit this state park (as there are for all the state parks around the lake).  It is $10 a day fee (or $15 if you have an out of state license plate) just to park and walk around.  The fee is slightly larger if you are launching a boat from the ramp and comes in at $20 per day (or $25 for out of state license plates).

Before the Hike

This is a very short hike that isn’t particularly steep either.  Round trip is about 1 mile, depending on how much you wander around and take pictures or just take in the beautiful views.  Elevation gain was about 225 feet according to my fitness watch and it took me about 45 minutes to hike up and back (yes this included me taking about a hundred pictures).  Regardless if you take 200 pictures or 0, this is a quick and easy hike.

Trailhead Location

Hiking in Cave Rock State Park actually requires you to leave the state park and then hike back in.  Fortunately, the trailhead is actually less than a half mile away! 

Basically when you leave the boat ramp, you will turn to the right on Route 50.  The FIRST left turn you can make is Cave Rock Road and this is where you should turn.  You will drive up 2 switch-backs and before you turn on the third switch back, you will see a tiny parking lot.  This is the trailhead.

There are literally only 4 parking spots, so you may have to continue up the hill and pull your car off to the side of the road (there are a few dirt sections along the road).  You will then be able to walk down to that parking lot and the trail is clear as day and easy to follow. 

You can also search “Cave Rock Trailhead” in Google Maps and this will take you to the same place.

The Hike

As you start heading up the path, the trail might become a little muddy or snowy depending on the season.  I was there in early March and it was fairly muddy, but nothing too crazy. 

The higher you go the more you will be able to see of the lake.  Be sure to stop and take in the views around you because you can see that crystal clear water that Lake Tahoe is so famous for. 

There are several “outlook” opportunities in between trees.  If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see a boat launch from above like I did. 

Anyway, it’s not long before you will come out to the base of the rock formation.  The views of the highway on either side of you are pretty cool because how often do we get to be above a highway and watch as the cars drive through a tunnel below you?

Here is the fun part!  You can now begin stair-stepping up to the very top of Cave Rock.  Do you get why I said hiking ON Cave Rock State Park now? 

If you don’t like cliffs or have a fear of high exposed heights, I suggest stopping here and just take in the views on either side, because you are definitely exposed up there.  But if you are like me and want to climb up every mountain, then up you go!

To the Top of the World

I took my time climbing to the top of the rock because you are completely exposed and there is no set trail.  I suggest you follow suit and don’t be afraid to use your hands to support you as you climb up. 

Within a few minutes, you are literally standing on top of Cave Rock.  On top of the tunnels that people are driving through.  On top of Lake Tahoe and what feels like the top of the world.  Okay, okay, that’s a bit dramatic because you are literally surrounded by mountains that are looking down on you, but it definitely feels like the top of the world while you are up there.

There isn’t much ground around you, so be careful where you step!

I took some awesome pictures (courtesy of my tripod and wireless shutter release) of myself while up here.  It took my breath away taking in the views from this far above! 

As you’ll probably notice, I did this hike twice. Once on a clear-sky day and the other after fresh snow. Either way, this hike is stunning, just requires you to dress different.

The winding highway below you, the crystal clear Lake Tahoe all around you, and the surrounding snow sprinkled mountains (if you go in the winter) get more and more beautiful the longer you stare.  

There was a moment where I didn’t want to leave.  I wanted to stay and take it all in for as long as I could.  But all good things (and hikes) must come to an end.

The Descent

I stepped, hopped and scrambled back down Cave Rock and started my hike back to my car. 

Again, the path is easy to follow.  It’s quite beaten down because of its popularity.  So hiking down was even quicker than hiking up, and I was back in the car putting the next location in my GPS before I knew it. 

While this is one of the shortest hikes I’ve ever done and the smallest state parks I’ve ever been to, hiking in Cave Rock State Park is not to be overlooked. 

The killer views from atop Cave Rock are stunning for how short the hike is.  I mean come on!  It’s not every day you get to hike on top of a highway and live to tell the tale. 

Conclusion

In total, between the hike and exploring the beach/boat ramp areas, I spent about an hour in Cave Rock State Park.  If I had it to do again, I would just do the hike, but hopefully this article helps you save a little bit of money while still experiencing the incredible views of Cave Rock State Park. 

If you are in or around Lake Tahoe, you definitely have to do this quick hike!  The views alone are worth hiking in Cave Rock State Park!

In the Lake Tahoe area and looking for another State Park to Explore? Check out Emerald Bay State Park and my post on that amazing area!