How To Hike To Lower Eagle Falls In Lake Tahoe
2 minute read | contains affiliate links
Nestled within the captivating natural beauty of the iconic Emerald Bay State Park, the trail to Lower Eagle Falls offers an awe-inspiring experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Most are aware of the upper section of Eagle Falls just outside the park and how you can traverse the crest of lower falls across the highway.
If you want to see Lower Eagle Falls straight on, though, you’ll need to hike down into Emerald Bay via the short, but steep, one mile trail.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the parking situation, fees, what to expect on the trail and more. Let’s get into it!
Trail Stats
Location: Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe
Fee: $3 - $10 parking fee
Permit: None
Open: Seasonally
For: Hikers
Restroom: At the trailhead and in Emerald Bay
Parking: Medium sized paved lot
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Easy going in, moderate going out
Popularity: Mega High
Mileage: About 2.5 miles total, RT
Time: 2-3 hours
Condition: Maintained, easy to follow
Features: Waterfall, Island, Visitor Center, Beach
Best Time: Spring/early summer
Pets: Not allowed
Drones: Not allowed
Hazards: Trail is steep going back out. Can be difficult for some
Our Visit(s): August 2022 & July 2023
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!
Emerald Bay Parking Lot
Your trip to Lower Eagle Falls begins and ends in the Emerald Bay parking lot. To avoid the hassle of having to wait for a spot to open, you should arrive as early as possible as it’s known to fill up quickly.
There are pay stations near the trailhead that accept credit or debit cards. The parking fees are:
$3.00 for one hour (select this option if all you want to do is go to the viewing deck)
$10.00 for day use
To begin your hike, head towards the wooden booth past the pay station. To your right, there’s a viewing deck that provides a great view of Emerald Bay and your destination, Lower Eagle Falls.
The Trail To Emerald Bay
Going into Emerald Bay, the trail is all downhill and easy going. Just prepare yourself for the way out because it’s fairly steep and can be difficult for some. So come prepared.
It’s slightly less than a mile along a wider than usual dirt path. Near the bottom you’ll arrive at a junction. Head right to continue to the waterfall.
After this junction, you’ll officially be in Emerald Bay State Park. Continue straight as you pass the restroom, beach access and the Vikingsholm Castle.
Keep straight on the trail until you reach the visitor center. The incredibly short trail to Lower Eagle Falls begins just behind it.
Lower Eagle Falls
Facing the visitor center, the tail to the waterfall begins on the right. It starts out as gravel but as you get closer the falls, it’ll turn to dirt and stone.
When the trail aligns with the water, your first glimpse will be off two mini-waterfalls split between rocks and brush.
Further up, you’ll work your way up several granite rock steps before arriving at the Rubicon trail footbridge.
Go ahead and take in the views of the creek from the bridge, but don’t cross it to the other side as that’ll take you along the Rubicon Trail.
To continue towards Lower Eagle Falls, head up the trail for another 2/10’s of a mile while keeping the creek to your left.
You’ll encounter several more flights of granite steps just before reaching the falls. When you reach the top of those steps, the viewing deck and waterfall come into view.
The viewing deck is split in two by a tree and provides a straight-on view of Lower Eagle. There’s a fair amount of room but it doesn’t take many people to feel cramped.
There’s no access to Highway 89 from here. The viewing deck is the literal dead end of the trail. So when you’re finished taking it in, simply head back the same way you came.
I hope you’ll consider checking out Lower Eagle Falls. It’s a beautiful waterfall and worth the effort to see. If you’re interested in other sites nearby, check out our articles below.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us!
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