Hiking the Cascade Falls Trail in Lake Tahoe, California
Distance: 1.4 miles / 2.3 km
The Cascade Falls Trail, on the California side of Lake Tahoe, is a very short and easy day hike near Emerald Bay that leads to the top of a beautiful 200-ft. (61 m) waterfall at the southern end of Cascade Lake!
Before visiting, I think it’s important to highlight that the hike ends at the top of the waterfall and, as a result, is not the best place to see Cascade Falls.
Rather, the best views of the waterfall are actually from the trail before the very end, but I still recommend hiking to the end, as the view above Cascade Lake, shown in the photo below, is something to see of its own!
Cascade Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Cascade Falls Trail is located on the south side of Emerald Bay within the paid Bayview Day-Use Area.
That said, the Bayview Day-Use Area is a U.S. fee area managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which does not accept any kind of federal recreation passes in lieu of the parking fee.
Google Maps Directions: Cascade Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Lake Tahoe
The Lake Tahoe Basin is Black Bear country, and, as with any area that is home to Black Bears, hiking with or without bear spray is up to your own discretion and comfort level.
With that in mind, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Hiking the Cascade Falls Trail
Cascade Falls-Maggie’s Peak Junction
The Cascade Falls Trail begins at the joint Bayview Trailhead, which serves both the hike to Granite Lake, Maggie’s Peak, and the greater Desolation Wilderness, as well as the much more popular Cascade Falls Trail in the opposite direction.
If you have the time, I recommend hiking both when visiting the Bayview Day-Use Area.
However, to begin the Cascade Falls Trail go left toward Cascade Lake.
Read My Separate Post: Maggie’s Peak Trail
The beginning of the Cascade Falls Trail is very flat and easy, but when the trail starts to traverse the cliffs above Cascade Lake, the hike becomes a bit rockier and hillier.
This hill is where the Cascade Falls Trail abruptly starts traversing the cliffs above Cascade Lake, which I mention not because these sections are particularly difficult, but because it’s just so different from the easy, manicured trail at the very beginning.
It doesn’t take long for the views toward Cascade Lake—and eventually Cascade Falls—to open up after leaving the flat sections behind!
Some hikers may want to use trekking poles on these rocky, hilly sections above Cascade Lake—especially in the late spring and early summer when there might still be snow on the trail.
In addition to poles, I strongly recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt when hiking at these upper elevations around Lake Tahoe, especially if you plan to make a long day of it and hike to Granite Lake and Maggie’s Peak after completing the Cascade Falls Trail.
This is where Cascade Falls can be seen through the trees, but it does take some effort to see the entire waterfall from top to bottom!
These ledges are a nice sign that the traverse along the cliffs is almost over, meaning the end of the Cascade Falls Trail is not far ahead!
After the ledges, the Cascade Falls Trail simply winds its way through the trees until it reaches a trail marker just before the trail ends at the top of the waterfall.
At the very end of the Cascade Falls Trail, hikers have the option to either go straight to explore the stream above the waterfall or turn left and head down toward the top of the falls.
Personally, I recommend going left, but be aware that the edge of the waterfall is very exposed and is not the most kid-friendly option.
This is the most direct path that leads down to the top of Cascade Falls.
Cascade Falls (Warning)
This is the end of the Cascade Falls Trail and the very top of Cascade Falls!
That said, the edge of the waterfall is very exposed. If you plan to walk all the way to the end, as I have shown, take your time and be very careful, as a fall from the top of the roughly 200-ft. (61 m) waterfall would very likely be fatal.
California
Nevada
